Assessment of the Hyperspectral Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (HIRAS)

The hyperspectral infrared atmospheric sounder (HIRAS), the first Chinese hyperspectral infrared instrument, was launched in 2017 on board the fourth polar orbiter of the Feng Yun 3 series, FY-3D. The instrument is a Fourier transform spectrometer with 2275 channels covering three spectral bands (650–1136, 1210–1750, and 2155–2550 cm−1) with 0.625 cm−1 spectral resolution. The first data quality assessment of HIRAS observations at full and normal spectral resolutions is presented. Comparisons with short-range forecasts from the Met Office numerical weather prediction (NWP) global system have revealed biases (standard deviation) generally less than 2.6 K (2 K) in the spectral regions mostly unaffected by trace gases where the confidence in the NWP model is largest. Of particular concern, HIRAS detector 3 seems to suffer from sunlight contamination of its calibration towards the end of the descending node. This, together with an obstruction of the detector field of view by an element of the platform, results in accentuated bias and noise in the observations from this detector. At normal spectral resolution, a background departure double difference analysis has been conducted between HIRAS and the NOAA-20 crosstrack infrared sounder (CrIS). The results show that HIRAS and CrIS are in good agreement with a mean difference across the three bands of −0.05 K (±0.26 K at 1σ) and 75.2% of the channels within CrIS radiometric uncertainty, noting though that HIRAS is noisier than CrIS with, on average, a standard deviation 0.34 K larger.

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Asymmetricity of ground-based GPS slant delay data

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-7-3143-2007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 3143-3151 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. Eresmaa ◽

H. Järvinen ◽

S. Niemelä ◽

K. Salonen

Keyword(s):

Standard Deviation ◽

Global Positioning System ◽

Weather Prediction ◽

Small Scale ◽

Tropospheric Delay ◽

Observation Error ◽

Positioning System ◽

Global Positioning ◽

Nwp Model ◽

Delay Component

Abstract. The ground-based measurements of the Global Positioning System (GPS) allow estimation of the tropospheric delay along the slanted signal paths through the atmosphere. The meteorological exploitation of such slant delay (SD) observations relies on the hypothesis of azimuthal asymmetry of the information content. This article addresses the validity of the hypothesis. A new concept of asymmetricity is introduced for studying the SD observations and their model counterparts. The asymmetricity is defined as the ratio of the absolute asymmetric delay component to total SD. The model counterparts are determined from 3-h forecasts of a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model, run with four different horizontal resolutions. The SD observations are compared with their model counterparts with emphasis on cases of high asymmetricity in order to see whether the observed asymmetry is a real atmospheric signature. The asymmetricity is found to be of the order of a few parts per thousand. Thus, the asymmetric delay component barely exceeds the assumed standard deviation of the SD observation error. However, the observed asymmetric delay components show a statistically significant meteorological signal. Benefit of the asymmetric SD observations is therefore expected to be taken in future, when NWP systems will explicitly represent the small-scale atmospheric features revealed by the SD observations.

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3-D Spectroscopy with a Fourier Transform Spectrometer

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s0252921100023241 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 149 ◽

pp. 316-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J.P. Maillard

Keyword(s):

Fourier Transform ◽

Spectral Resolution ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Field Of View ◽

Dark Side ◽

Fourier Transform Spectrometer ◽

Array Detectors ◽

New Type ◽

Nicmos 3 ◽

Spectro Imaging

AbstractWith the advent of bidimensional array detectors the throughput advantage of a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) can be used to create a new type of 3-D spectrometer. The classical multiplex property in the spectral domain of a FTS is multiplied by the number of pixel of the array. The points of the entrance field are all observed in parallel. After discussing the properties of this instrument, the coupling of the FTS of the CFH Telescope to a camera equipped with a NICMOS 3 array is described. With this combination, spectro-imaging in any bandpass between 1 and 2.5 µm is possible within a circular 24” field of view, with a scale of 0.33”/pixel, at seeing-limited spatial resolution. Any spectral resolution is choosable up to 30,000. Illustrations are given by a study of the dark side of Venus at 1.27 µm and of planetary nebulae at 2 µm. Many other objects can benefit from this observing mode in the near infrared. Further developments of this 3-D technique are discussed.

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Intercalibration of Backscatter Measurements among Ku-Band Scatterometers Onboard the Chinese HY-2 Satellite Constellation

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13234783 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (23) ◽

pp. 4783

Author(s):

Zhixiong Wang ◽

Juhong Zou ◽

Youguang Zhang ◽

Ad Stoffelen ◽

Wenming Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weather Prediction ◽

Surface Wind ◽

Double Difference ◽

Satellite Orbits ◽

Wind Speeds ◽

Sea Surface Wind ◽

Geophysical Model ◽

Geophysical Model Function ◽

Nwp Model ◽

Ku Band

The Chinese HY-2D satellite was launched on 19 May 2021, carrying a Ku-band scatterometer. Together with the operating scatterometers onboard the HY-2B and HY-2C satellites, the HY-2 series scatterometer constellation was built, constituting different satellite orbits and hence opportunity for mutual intercomparison and intercalibration. To achieve intercalibration of backscatter measurements for these scatterometers, this study presents and performs three methods including: (1) direct comparison using collocated measurements, in which the nonlinear calibrations can also be derived; (2) intercalibration over the Amazon rainforest; (3) and the double-difference technique based on backscatter simulations over the global oceans, in which a geophysical model function and numerical weather prediction (NWP) model winds are needed. The results obtained using the three methods are comparable, i.e., the differences among them are within 0.1 dB. The intercalibration results are validated by comparing the HY-2 series scatterometer wind speeds with NWP model wind speeds. The curves of wind speed bias for the HY-2 series scatterometers are quite similar, particularly in wind speeds ranging from 4 to 20 m/s. Based on the well-intercalibrated backscatter measurements, consistent sea surface wind products from HY-2 series scatterometers can be produced, and greatly benefit data applications.

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On the relationship between the scattering phase function of cirrus and the atmospheric state

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-14-14109-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. 14109-14157 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. J. Baran ◽

K. Furtado ◽

L.-C. Labonnote ◽

S. Havemann ◽

J.-C. Thelen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Model Prediction ◽

Phase Function ◽

Weather Prediction ◽

Ice Crystals ◽

Scattering Phase ◽

Scattering Phase Function ◽

Nwp Model ◽

Phase Functions ◽

The Relationship ◽

Good Agreement

Abstract. This is the first paper to investigate the relationship between the scattering phase function of cirrus and the relative humidity with respect to ice (RHi), using space-based solar radiometric angle-dependent measurements. The relationship between RHi, and the complexity of ice crystals has been previously studied using data from aircraft field campaigns and laboratory cloud chambers. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies to date that explore this relationship, through the use of remotely sensed space-based angle-dependent solar radiometric measurements. In this paper, a case study of semi-transparent cirrus is used to explore the possibility of such a relationship. Moreover, for the first time, RHi fields predicted by a high-resolution numerical weather prediction (NWP) model are combined with satellite retrievals of ice crystal complexity. The NWP model was initialised at midnight, on the 25 January 2010, and the mid-latitude RHi field was extracted from the NWP model at 13:00 UTC. At about the same time, there was a Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectance for Atmospheric science coupled with Observations from a Lidar (PARASOL) overpass, and the PARASOL swath covered the NWP model predicted RHi field. The cirrus case was located over Scotland, and over the North Sea. From the satellite channel based at 0.865 μm, the directionally averaged and directional spherical albedos were retrieved between the scattering angles of about 80° and 130°. An ensemble model of cirrus ice crystals is used to predict phase functions that vary between phase functions that exhibit optical features (called pristine), to featureless phase functions. For each of the PARASOL pixels, the phase function that best minimised differences between the spherical albedos was selected. This paper reports a positive correlation between the scattering phase function and RHi. That is, the pristine and completely featureless phase functions are found to be correlated with RHi < 100%, and RHi> 100%, respectively. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the NWP model prediction of the vertical profile of RHi is in good agreement with independent aircraft-based physical retrievals of RHi. Furthermore, the NWP model prediction of the cirrus cloud-top height and its vertical extent is also found to be in good agreement with aircraft-based lidar measurements.

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Real-Time Water Vapor Maps from a GPS Surface Network: Construction, Validation, and Applications

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology ◽

10.1175/2008jamc2024.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 48 (7) ◽

pp. 1302-1316 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Siebren de Haan ◽

Iwan Holleman ◽

Albert A. M. Holtslag

Keyword(s):

Water Vapor ◽

Standard Deviation ◽

Real Time ◽

Weather Prediction ◽

Surface Wind ◽

Step Method ◽

Background Error ◽

Surface Network ◽

Nwp Model ◽

Additional Value

Abstract In this paper the construction of real-time integrated water vapor (IWV) maps from a surface network of global positioning system (GPS) receivers is presented. The IWV maps are constructed using a two-dimensional variational technique with a persistence background that is 15 min old. The background error covariances are determined using a novel two-step method, which is based on the Hollingsworth–Lonnberg method. The quality of these maps is assessed by comparison with radiosonde observations and IWV maps from a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. The analyzed GPS IWV maps have no bias against radiosonde observations and a small bias against NWP analysis and forecasts up to 9 h. The standard deviation with radiosonde observations is around 2 kg m−2, and the standard deviation with NWP increases with increasing forecast length (from 2 kg m−2 for the NWP analysis to 4 kg m−2 for a forecast length of 48 h). To illustrate the additional value of these real-time products for nowcasting, three thunderstorm cases are discussed. The constructed GPS IWV maps are combined with data from the weather radar, a lightning detection network, and surface wind observations. All cases show that the location of developing thunderstorms can be identified 2 h prior to initiation in the convergence of moist air.

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The Diverging Collimator

Nuklearmedizin ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1624699 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 09 (01) ◽

pp. 84-94

Author(s):

G. Muehllehner

Keyword(s):

Unit Area ◽

Field Of View ◽

Imaging Camera ◽

Good Agreement ◽

Parallel Hole

SummaryThe diverging collimator makes it possible to increase the field of view of a radioisotope imaging camera. The larger field of view is obtained by sacrificing efficiency per unit area of the field of view while preserving the resolution of the system. This situation is analogous to that of the scanner, where the efficiency per unit area is inversely proportional to the total area scanned.Efficiency and resolution of diverging collimators can be calculated quite accurately as is evidenced by the good agreement between calculated and measured values. The problem of septum penetration, however, needs to be further investigated for both parallel-hole as well as diverging collimators, so that the influence of the shape and arrangement of the holes upon septum penetration is taken into account.

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MAX-DOAS observations of aerosols, formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide in the Beijing area: comparison of two profile retrieval approaches

Atmospheric Measurement Techniques ◽

10.5194/amt-8-941-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 941-963 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

T. Vlemmix ◽

F. Hendrick ◽

G. Pinardi ◽

I. De Smedt ◽

C. Fayt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Standard Deviation ◽

A Priori ◽

Systematic Bias ◽

Aerosol Extinction ◽

Data Set ◽

Near Surface ◽

Beijing Area ◽

Least Squares Fit ◽

Relative Differences ◽

Good Agreement

Abstract. A 4-year data set of MAX-DOAS observations in the Beijing area (2008–2012) is analysed with a focus on NO2, HCHO and aerosols. Two very different retrieval methods are applied. Method A describes the tropospheric profile with 13 layers and makes use of the optimal estimation method. Method B uses 2–4 parameters to describe the tropospheric profile and an inversion based on a least-squares fit. For each constituent (NO2, HCHO and aerosols) the retrieval outcomes are compared in terms of tropospheric column densities, surface concentrations and "characteristic profile heights" (i.e. the height below which 75% of the vertically integrated tropospheric column density resides). We find best agreement between the two methods for tropospheric NO2 column densities, with a standard deviation of relative differences below 10%, a correlation of 0.99 and a linear regression with a slope of 1.03. For tropospheric HCHO column densities we find a similar slope, but also a systematic bias of almost 10% which is likely related to differences in profile height. Aerosol optical depths (AODs) retrieved with method B are 20% high compared to method A. They are more in agreement with AERONET measurements, which are on average only 5% lower, however with considerable relative differences (standard deviation ~ 25%). With respect to near-surface volume mixing ratios and aerosol extinction we find considerably larger relative differences: 10 ± 30, −23 ± 28 and −8 ± 33% for aerosols, HCHO and NO2 respectively. The frequency distributions of these near-surface concentrations show however a quite good agreement, and this indicates that near-surface concentrations derived from MAX-DOAS are certainly useful in a climatological sense. A major difference between the two methods is the dynamic range of retrieved characteristic profile heights which is larger for method B than for method A. This effect is most pronounced for HCHO, where retrieved profile shapes with method A are very close to the a priori, and moderate for NO2 and aerosol extinction which on average show quite good agreement for characteristic profile heights below 1.5 km. One of the main advantages of method A is the stability, even under suboptimal conditions (e.g. in the presence of clouds). Method B is generally more unstable and this explains probably a substantial part of the quite large relative differences between the two methods. However, despite a relatively low precision for individual profile retrievals it appears as if seasonally averaged profile heights retrieved with method B are less biased towards a priori assumptions than those retrieved with method A. This gives confidence in the result obtained with method B, namely that aerosol extinction profiles tend on average to be higher than NO2 profiles in spring and summer, whereas they seem on average to be of the same height in winter, a result which is especially relevant in relation to the validation of satellite retrievals.

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UTCI as the NWP model ALADIN (CHMI) output – first experiences

Geographia Polonica ◽

10.7163/gpol.0203 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 237-249

Author(s):

Martin Novák

Keyword(s):

Numerical Weather Prediction ◽

Meteorological Data ◽

Weather Prediction ◽

Climate Index ◽

Basic Information ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

Numerical Weather ◽

Weather Forecasters ◽

Thermal Climate ◽

Nwp Model

The article includes a summary of basic information about the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) calculation by the numerical weather prediction (NWP) model ALADIN of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI). Examples of operational outputs for weather forecasters in the CHMI are shown in the first part of this work. The second part includes results of a comparison of computed UTCI values by ALADIN for selected place with UTCI values computed from real measured meteorological data from the same place.

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Detection and thermal description of medicanes from numerical simulation

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-14-1059-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 1059-1070 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

M. A. Picornell ◽

J. Campins ◽

A. Jansà

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulation ◽

Thermal Structure ◽

Weather Prediction ◽

Weather Forecast ◽

Small Scale ◽

Medium Range Weather Forecast ◽

Warm Core ◽

Strong Winds ◽

Nwp Model ◽

Ecmwf Model

Abstract. Tropical-like cyclones rarely affect the Mediterranean region but they can produce strong winds and heavy precipitations. These warm-core cyclones, called MEDICANES (MEDIterranean hurriCANES), are small in size, develop over the sea and are infrequent. For these reasons, the detection and forecast of medicanes are a difficult task and many efforts have been devoted to identify them. The goals of this work are to contribute to a proper description of these structures and to develop some criteria to identify medicanes from numerical weather prediction (NWP) model outputs. To do that, existing methodologies for detecting, characterizating and tracking cyclones have been adapted to small-scale intense cyclonic perturbations. First, a mesocyclone detection and tracking algorithm has been modified to select intense cyclones. Next, the parameters that define the Hart's cyclone phase diagram are tuned and calculated to examine their thermal structure. Four well-known medicane events have been described from numerical simulation outputs of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) model. The predicted cyclones and their evolution have been validated against available observational data and numerical analyses from the literature.

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Estimation and evaluation of COSMIC radio occultation excess phase using undifferenced measurements

Atmospheric Measurement Techniques ◽

10.5194/amt-10-1813-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 1813-1821

Author(s):

Pengfei Xia ◽

Shirong Ye ◽

Kecai Jiang ◽

Dezhong Chen

Keyword(s):

Radio Occultation ◽

Weather Prediction ◽

Lower Troposphere ◽

Double Difference ◽

Cosmic Radio ◽

Processing Strategy ◽

Single Difference ◽

Excess Phase ◽

Mean Square Errors ◽

Better Than

Abstract. In the GPS radio occultation technique, the atmospheric excess phase (AEP) can be used to derive the refractivity, which is an important quantity in numerical weather prediction. The AEP is conventionally estimated based on GPS double-difference or single-difference techniques. These two techniques, however, rely on the reference data in the data processing, increasing the complexity of computation. In this study, an undifferenced (ND) processing strategy is proposed to estimate the AEP. To begin with, we use PANDA (Positioning and Navigation Data Analyst) software to perform the precise orbit determination (POD) for the purpose of acquiring the position and velocity of the mass centre of the COSMIC (The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate) satellites and the corresponding receiver clock offset. The bending angles, refractivity and dry temperature profiles are derived from the estimated AEP using Radio Occultation Processing Package (ROPP) software. The ND method is validated by the COSMIC products in typical rising and setting occultation events. Results indicate that rms (root mean square) errors of relative refractivity differences between undifferenced and atmospheric profiles (atmPrf) provided by UCAR/CDAAC (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research/COSMIC Data Analysis and Archive Centre) are better than 4 and 3 % in rising and setting occultation events respectively. In addition, we also compare the relative refractivity bias between ND-derived methods and atmPrf profiles of globally distributed 200 COSMIC occultation events on 12 December 2013. The statistical results indicate that the average rms relative refractivity deviation between ND-derived and COSMIC profiles is better than 2 % in the rising occultation event and better than 1.7 % in the setting occultation event. Moreover, the observed COSMIC refractivity profiles from ND processing strategy are further validated using European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analysis data, and the results indicate that the undifferenced method reduces the noise level on the excess phase paths in the lower troposphere compared to the single-difference processing strategy.

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