Quasi-optimal assimilation of satellite retrievals for incremental 4D-Var
An interface between satellite retrievals and the incremental version of the four-dimensional variational assimilation scheme is developed, making full use of the information content of satellite measurements. In this paper, expressions for the function that calculates simulated observations from model states (called "observation operator"), together with its tangent linear version and adjoint, are derived. Results from our work can be used for implementing a quasi-optimal assimilation of satellite retrievals (e.g., of atmospheric trace gases) in operational meteorological centres. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
satellite retrievals incremental 4d-var data assimilation atmospheric trace gas columns