Improving forecast skill by assimilation of quality controlled AIRS Version 5 temperature soundings

Joel Susskind; Oreste Reale

doi:10.1117/12.831215

1 September 2009 Improving forecast skill by assimilation of quality controlled AIRS Version 5 temperature soundings

Joel Susskind, Oreste Reale

Proceedings Volume 7453, Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XVII; 74530G (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.831215
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm has been finalized and is now operational at the Goddard DAAC in the processing (and reprocessing) of all AIRS data. The AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm contains two significant improvements over Version 4: 1) Improved physics allows for use of AIRS observations in the entire 4.3 μm CO₂ absorption band in the retrieval of temperature profile T(p) during both day and night. Tropospheric sounding 15 μm CO₂ observations are now used primarily in the generation of cloud cleared radiances R_i. This approach allows for the generation of accurate values of R_i and T(p) under most cloud conditions. 2) Another very significant improvement in Version 5 is the ability to generate accurate case-by-case, level-by-level error estimates for the atmospheric temperature profile, as well as for channel-by-channel error estimates for R_i. These error estimates are used for Quality Control of the retrieved products. We have conducted forecast impact experiments assimilating AIRS temperature profiles with different levels of Quality Control using the NASA GEOS-5 data assimilation system. Assimilation of Quality Controlled T(p) resulted in significantly improved forecast skill compared to that obtained from analyses obtained when all data used operationally by NCEP, except for AIRS data, is assimilated. We also conducted an experiment assimilating AIRS radiances uncontaminated by clouds, as done operationally by ECMWF and NCEP. Forecast resulting from assimilated AIRS radiances were of poorer quality than those obtained assimilating AIRS temperatures.

Citation Download Citation

Joel Susskind and Oreste Reale "Improving forecast skill by assimilation of quality controlled AIRS Version 5 temperature soundings", Proc. SPIE 7453, Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XVII, 74530G (1 September 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.831215

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