NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Impact of Assimilating AIRS Cloud-Cleared Radiances on Atmospheric Dynamics and Boundary Layer Height at High LatitudesHigh latitude weather forecasts, on scales ranging from mesoscale to synoptic, present difficulties due, in part, to the sparsity of conventional observations. In addition, the prevalence of extended low-level stratus cloud cover limits the use of infrared data, which are operationally assimilated only in areas unaffected by clouds. Use of cloud-cleared AIRS (Atmospheric Infrared Sounder) radiances (AIRS CCR), allows the assimilation of infrared information in cloudy regions, permitting data ingestion in regions usually undersampled. This study explores the sensitivity of planetary boundary layer height and related atmospheric dynamics to the assimilation of these data in the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS, version 5) data assimilation and forecast system during the boreal fall 2014 season using observing system experiments (OSEs). Examined here are comparisons between the current, operational approach of assimilating AIRS clear-sky radiances against the assimilation of CCR. Assimilation of hyperspectral infrared information from AIRS over the Arctic region slightly modifies the lower midtropospheric temperature structure, which in turn contributes to adjustments in geopotential height, affecting the baroclinic instability properties over the entire hemisphere and explaining the overall improvement in global forecast skill.
Document ID
20190000975
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
McGrath-Spangler, E. L.
(Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Ganeshan, M.
(Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Reale, O.
(Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Greenbelt, MD, United States)
McCarty, W.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Gelaro, R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
February 26, 2019
Publication Date
January 15, 2019
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN64778
Meeting Information
Meeting: Arctic Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP) Science Workshop
Location: Helsinki
Country: Finland
Start Date: January 14, 2019
End Date: January 16, 2019
Sponsors: Finnish Meteorological Institute
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX14AK19G
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG11HP16A
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX11AK05G
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80NSSC18K0927
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available