Assimilation of Cloud- and Land-affected TOVS/ATOVS Level 1b data at DAO

Despite significant advances in the assimilation of TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder/Advanced TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS)/(ATOVS) data over the last decade, there are still many unresolved issues. For example, at several centers, cloud-and land-affected TOVS data are not assimilated. In this study, we show positive impact from the use of cloud cleared and land-affected TOVS data in the NASA Data Assimilation Office's (DAO) Finite Volume Data Assimilation System (fv-DAS). We will discuss how treatment of TOVS data affects the stratosphere and tropopause in the fvDAS. We will also describe the use of TOVS data for land-surface analysis and assimilation and other developments regarding the use of TOVS data at the DAO.