# Presentation: 097240

## In-House Utilization of AIRS Data and Products for Numerical Weather Prediction

- Will McCarty
- SPoRT SAC
- Tuesday June 12, 2007

## Introduction

- Measurements from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) is being utilized in-house
_**Near-realtime utilization of AIRS**_ measurements for imagery display and product development
- Utilize and disseminate AIRS measurements and products to address forecaster concerns
- Atmospheric destabilization leading to convective storms and severe weather
- Fog and low cloud detection at night
- Diagnose moisture variability at the mesoscale, particularly upstream of developing weather situations
- Improved short-term prediction of sensible weather elements
- Many links to AIRS Radiance Data Assimilation talk tomorrow

## Near-Realtime Data

- Data received from CIMSS direct broadcast
- Currently, 5 bands from _AIRS_ and _AIRS-VIS_ available for display on website, but full spectrum is accessible
- Demonstration of the utilization of AIRS measurements in NRT
- Website access allows for the in-house monitoring of data streams, as well as public dissemination

## AIRS Product Generation
Two algorithms are currently run in NRT from AIRS to generate products
CO2 Sorting (321 Bands)
% of Cloud Free Channels
CO2 Slicing (14 Bands)
Cloud Top Pressure
Effective Cloud Fraction
Implementation leads to the further exploration of more in-house product implementation, development, and dissemination

- Two algorithms are currently run in NRT from AIRS to generate products
- CO2 Sorting (321 Bands)
- % of Cloud Free Channels
- CO2 Slicing (14 Bands)
- Cloud Top Pressure
- Effective Cloud Fraction
- Implementation leads to the further exploration of more in-house product implementation, development, and dissemination

- Near-Realtime Data

- AIRS Product Generation
- Two algorithms are currently run in NRT from AIRS to generate products
- _CO__2__ Sorting (321 Bands)_
- % of Cloud Free Channels
- CO2 Slicing (14 Bands)
- Cloud Top Pressure
- Effective Cloud Fraction
- Implementation leads to the further exploration of more in-house product implementation, development, and dissemination

## MODIS CTP vs. AIRS “Clear” Channels

## Current Work

- The near-realtime ingest and generation of AIRS measurements and products are being monitored daily
- System is stable and running regularly
- In research and assessment mode, it allows for the intercomparison to AIRS and MODIS products
- Ongoing discussions with community, including AIRS Science Team, to provide more advanced information from the instrument to WFOs in near-realtime
- Utilize the knowledge base developed over time at SPoRT

## Future Work

- Data Exploitation
- Address forecaster needs by utilizing the high vertical resolution of AIRS
- e.g. combine channels in water vapor region to effectively illustrate moisture structure
- Individual channel sensitivities
- AIRS has the ability to show sensitivity to minor constituents (SO2, aerosols, etc.)
- Investigate enhanced fog and low cloud detection utilizing AIRS data

## Future Work

- Data Products
- Address forecaster needs by utilizing products that utilize the high vertical resolution of AIRS
- Advanced algorithms that can provide a higher accuracy than current sounder-derived products
- Use products developed by groups other than the AIRS Science Team
- Improved estimates of stability, H2Ov, etc.
- Improved resolution soundings
- Composite products
- Cloud products

## Future Work

- Data Products (cont’d)
- Address limitations of the AIRS Science Team products, particularly concerning spatial resolution
- Instrument resolution is 15 km, which is already coarse
- AIRS Sci. Team products are based on 3x3 AIRS *golf ball*
- ~50 km
- In many cases, particularly to a forecaster, higher resolution would be desired
- Alabama’s northern border is roughly 250 km

## Future Work

- How can AIRS help the end-user?
- The AIRS instrument provides a wealth of information
- Measurements and products
- The need to educate the end-users on the interpretation and proper use of AIRS measurements and products is essential
- Don’t saturate them with information
- Customize measurements and products to forecast needs, as well as local environment to provide maximum impact on forecast problems
- Provide crucial information at asynoptic times
- Preparation for future instruments (CrIS)
- Improved initial conditions and/or forecasts through the assimilation of AIRS measurements and products