A practical approach for the assimilation of cloudy infrared radiances and its evaluation using airs simulated observations

Abstract

A variational estimation procedure for the simultaneous retrieval of cloud parameters and thermodynamic profiles from infrared radiances is proposed. The method is based on a cloud emissivity model which accounts for the frequency dependence of cloud absorption and scattering and possible mixed phase situations. An effective cloud top height and emissivity are assumed. Monte Carlo experiments performed in a 1D‐var assimilation context using simulated Atmospheric Infrared Radiance Sounder (AIRS) observations from 100 channels demonstrate the substantial added value, in theory, of cloudy radiance assimilation as opposed to clear‐channel assimilation. Improved temperature and humidity retrievals are obtained for a broad layer above the cloud as well as below cloud level under partial cloud cover conditions. The impact is most pronounced in broken to overcast situations involving mid‐level clouds. In these situations, the effective cloud top height and emissivity are retrieved with estimated rms errors typically lower than 30 hPa and 3%, respectively. Expected relative errors on the retrieved effective particle size are of the order of 30–50%. The methodology is directly applicable to real hyperspectral infrared data upon inclusion, for local estimation, of the cloud parameters in the Canadian 4D‐var assimilation system.     

背景误差协方差变量平衡特征及其对台风同化和预报的影响

构造合理的背景场误差协方差是做好资料同化的关键。分析了背景误差协方差中变量相关关系在台风季节和非台风季节隐含的不同动力平衡特征,并讨论其对台风同化和预报的影响。分析发现,与非台风季节相比,在台风季节温度与非平衡速度势具有更强的动力相关性,拟相对湿度与其他控制变量的相关性也更显著。这些动力相关性在背景场误差中协方差的引入,将在同化分析过程中使得观测信息可以合理地对同化分析场产生影响。台风循环同化和预报的结果验证了对变量平衡特征的分析:背景误差协方差中新平衡关系的建立,对同化和预报有较大的正面影响,尤其是相对湿度和其他控制变量相关的建立,明显改善了台风路径、强度和降水的预报效果。      

快速更新循环同化系统的背景场误差协方差日变化特征研究及初步应用

目前多数快速更新循环同化系统在各分析时刻常使用固定的背景场误差协方差。为在快速更新循环同化系统中采用日变化的背景场误差协方差,基于RMAPS-ST系统分析了其夏季和冬季日变化背景场误差协方差特征,并进行了同化及预报对比试验。结果表明,该系统夏、冬两季的背景场误差协方差均呈现出明显的日变化特征,且夜间各变量(U、V、T、RH)的误差标准差与特征值均大于日间,反映模式系统夜间的预报误差大于日间;而夏季各变量误差标准差和特征值大于冬季,也说明系统在夏季的模式预报误差比冬季大;连续3 d的循环同化试验初步表明,采用日变化背景场误差协方差可以提高同化及预报效果。     

多普勒雷达观测在北京7.21暴雨数值模拟中的三维变分同化研究

基于背景误差的特征长度理论,研究调整背景误差水平分辨率对多普勒雷达资料三维变分同化的影响。首先利用NMC方法针对暴雨落区统计不同水平分辨率的背景误差协方差,分析两种不同分辨率的背景误差的结构特征,研究水平分辨率对背景误差特征长度的影响。将其应用于雷达资料同化中,研究背景误差水平分辨率变化对雷达资料同化的影响。结果表明:背景误差水平分辨率由27 km提高到3 km时,在大气低层体现出更细致的动力场信息,其动力场水平特征长度按水平分辨率的二次根递减,而温度场与水汽场水平特征长度变化不明显。在将不同分辨率的背景误差用于三维变分同化时,更高分辨率的背景误差可以在分析场增量中体现更细致的中小尺度信息,能够明显改善雷达径向速度资料同化效果,并在随后的暴雨数值模拟中雨量及其分布形态更接近实况。     

基于云依赖背景场误差协方差的雷达资料同化及对降雨预报影响研究

传统变分同化方法中使用各向同性和均质的背景场误差协方差,忽略了背景场误差协方差的天气系统依赖性,而在变分框架下引入集合流依赖的背景场误差协方差还需要额外的集合预报.为在变分同化中引入更合理的背景场误差协方差,通过引入云指数构建"云依赖"背景场误差协方差,提出了一种云依赖背景场误差协方差的同化方案,并应用于雷达等多源观测...     

面向同化应用的红外高光谱探测资料局地综合通道选择方案及在FY-3D/HIRAS中的初步应用

通道选择是红外高光谱探测资料同化的关键技术。为了最大限度提取红外高光谱探测资料观测信息,减少模式在青藏高原等常规观测稀少地区的初始场的误差,不同区域需要选取不同通道进行同化。基于信号自由度的通道选择方法提出一种面向资料同化的红外高光谱资料的局地综合通道选择方案,该方案综合考虑了局地的大气温度垂直分布特征、背景误差协方差、仪器通道的雅克比函数、权重函数和其他影响红外高光谱模拟和同化的因素。针对CMA＿GFS（原GRAPES＿GFS）全球背景误差协方差,在高原和海洋两个典型区域对FY-3D/HIRAS红外高光谱资料的温度通道进行局地综合通道选择,并通过一维变分同化评估了局地综合通道选择方案对分析场的影响。结果表明,高原和海洋两个典型区域的大气温度垂直分布特征、背景误差协方差、模式垂直分层以及各通道的雅克比函数和权重函数均有明显的差异,选出的敏感通道也明显不同,相比较在其他区域选择出的通道,在对应地区选择的通道能够显著提高红外高光谱资料的同化效果。     

中尺度区域模式层顶高度对高空风场数值模拟的影响分析

本文基于中尺度区域模式WRF,开展模式层顶高度变化对高空气象要素,特别是高空风场数值模拟影响的研究。通过设计模式顶高45、5 hPa两个试验,同化来源于NOAA-15、NOAA-18、NOAA-19和METOP-2的AMSU-A辐射计高通道数据,表明提高模式层顶能够使卫星更多的高通道样本数量进入同化系统,达到减小背景场误差,同时减小高于层顶通道辐射能量对低层通道影响的目的,一定程度上改进了同化效果,从而改善高空气象要素,特别是风场的模拟效果,与观测值的均方根误差减小了约0.4~0.5 m·s^-1。     

Application of ATOVS microwave radiance assimilation to rainfall prediction in Summer 2004

Experiments are performed in this paper to understand the influence of satellite radiance data on the initial field of a numerical prediction system and rainfall prediction. First, Advanced Microwave Sounder Unit A （AMSU-A） and Unit B （AMSU-B） radiance data are directly used by three-dimensional variational data assimilation to improve the background field of the numerical model. Then, the detailed effect of the radiance data on the background field is analyzed. Secondly, the background field, which is formed by application of Advanced Television and Infrared Observation Satellite Operational Vertical Sounder （ATOVS） microwave radiance assimilation, is employed to simulate some heavy rainfall cases. The experiment results show that the assimilation of AMSU-A （B） microwave radiance data has a certain impact on the geopotential height, temperature, relative humidity and flow fields. And the impacts on the background field are mostly similar in the different months in summer. The heavy rainfall experiments reveal that the application of AMSU-A （B） microwave radiance data can improve the rainfall prediction significantly. In particular, the AMSU-A radiance data can significantly enhance the prediction of rainfall above 10 mm within 48 h, and the AMSU-B radiance data can improve the prediction of rainfall above 50 mm within 24 h. The present study confirms that the direct assimilation of satellite radiance data is an effective way to improve the prediction of heavy rainfall in the summer in China.     

A validation of the multivariate and minimum residual method for cloud retrieval using radiance from multiple satellites

The Multivariate and Minimum Residual(MMR) cloud detection and retrieval algorithm, previously developed and tested on simulated observations and Advanced Infrared Sounder radiance, was explored and validated using various radiances from multiple sensors. For validation, the cloud retrievals were compared to independent cloud products from Cloud Sat, MODIS(Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), and GOES(Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites). We found good spatial agreement within a single instrument, although the cloud fraction on each pixel was estimated independently. The retrieved cloud properties showed good agreement using radiances from multiple satellites, especially for the vertically integrated cloud mask. The accuracy of the MMR scheme in detecting mid-level clouds was found to be higher than for higher and lower clouds. The accuracy in retrieving cloud top pressures and cloud profiles increased with more channels from observations. For observations with fewer channels, the MMR solution was an "overly smoothed" estimation of the true vertical profile, starting from a uniform clear guess. Additionally, the retrieval algorithm showed some meaningful skill in simulating the cloudy radiance as a linear observation operator, discriminating between numerical weather prediction(NWP) error and cloud effects. The retrieval scheme was also found to be robust when different radiative transfer models were used. The potential application of the MMR algorithm in NWP with multiple radiances is also discussed.     

流依赖球面小波背景误差协方差模型设计和初步试验

基于资料同化集合设计了流依赖球面小波背景场误差协方差模型中背景误差方差和局地垂直相关协方差的统计计算方法。为了提高背景误差方差的估计精度,采用客观滤波技术来减少因集合样本个数不足而引入的随机取样噪声。最后在银河四维变分同化业务系统(YH4DVar)上设计了集合资料同化的试验系统,以流依赖背景误差方差为重点验证了模型的有效性。结果表明:基于流依赖球面小波背景误差协方差模型能够有效估计出随天气状态变化的背景场误差方差,对台风等剧烈变化的天气过程的同化分析和预报都具有一定的正效果。      

Intercomparison of height assignment methods for opaque clouds over the tropics

Several methods of determining the height of opaque clouds over the tropics were compared using geostationary satellite measurements. The possible use of ozone channel measurements around the 9.7-μm ozone absorption band was examined in conjunction with the infrared window (IRW; 10.8 μm), H₂O (6.3 μm), and CO₂ (13.4 μm) channels, which are generally used for the assignment of cloud heights. Cloud top heights were retrieved from Meteosat-8 measurements with the aid of radiative transfer calculations using reanalysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) as inputs. By using cloud top heights from collocated CloudSat observations as a reference, cloud top heights were determined from the one-channel radiance, two-channel brightness temperature difference (BTD), and two-channel radiance ratio methods, and the respective results were then compared for clouds with geometrical thicknesses of > 4 km. Overall, the retrievals from the CO₂-IRW ratio and O₃-CO₂ ratio methods are in substantial agreement with CloudSat observations, while the other methods either underestimate cloud top heights or demonstrate a lower ratio of successful height assignment. The O₃-CO₂ ratio method appears to be less practical than the CO₂-IRW ratio method because it requires two absorption channels. Our comparison also shows that the BTD between the ozone and IRW channels yields information that is similar to that of the IRW channel alone. It further shows that the O₃-IRW combination is not appropriate for the two-channel radiance ratio method. These results suggest that the inclusion of the ozone channel in BTD and ratio methods may not offer any significant improvement in convective cloud height retrieval over the tropics. In conclusion, the CO₂-IRW ratio method appears to provide the most accurate retrievals for opaque clouds.     

在四维变分同化中运用集合协方差的试验

利用浅水方程模式和模式模拟资料进行数值试验比较3种不同的背景误差协方差矩阵处理方法对四维变分(4DVAR)资料同化的影响.3种背景误差协方差矩阵分别是:(1)对单一变量将背景误差协方差矩阵简化为对角矩阵;(2)将背景误差协方差矩阵的作用简化为高斯过滤;(3)由预报集合生成背景误差协方差矩阵并利用奇异值分解技术解决矩阵的求逆.通过一系列数值试验,比较不同观测密度、不同观测误差下3种背景误差协方差处理方法对4DVAR同化效果的影响.结果表明,背景误差协方差的结构对4DVAR有重大影响.当观测资料的空间密度不够高时,采用对角矩阵得不到满意的结果.高斯过滤方案可以明显改善同化结果,但是对背景误差特征长度比较敏感.第3种方法采用的背景误差协方差矩阵是流型依赖的,而且并不以显式的方式出现在目标函数中.避免了对它求逆的复杂运算.由于做了降维处理,在观测点的密度较低和观测误差较大时可望取得较好的同化结果,同化效果较为稳定.     

A Time-Averaged Covariance Method in the EnKF for Argo Data Assimilation

In the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), ensemble size is one of the key factors that significantly affects the performance of a data assimilation system. A relatively small ensemble size often must be chosen because of the limitations of computational resources, which often biases the estimation of the background error covariance matrix. This is an issue of particular concern in Argo data assimilation, where the most complex state-of-the-art models are often used. In this study, we propose a time-averaged covariance method to estimate the background error covariance matrix. This method assumes that the statistical properties of the background errors do not change significantly at neighbouring analysis steps during a short time window, allowing the ensembles generated at previous steps to be used in present steps. As such, a joint ensemble matrix combining ensembles of previous and present steps can be constructed to form a larger ensemble for estimating the background error covariance. This method can enlarge the ensemble size without increasing the number of model integrations, and this method is equivalent to estimating the background error covariance matrix using the mean ensemble covariance averaged over several assimilation steps. We apply this method to the assimilation of Argo and altimetry datasets with an oceanic general circulation model.

Experiments show that the use of this time-averaged covariance can improve the performance of the EnKF by reducing the root mean square error (RMSE) and improving the estimation of error covariance structure as well as the relationship between ensemble spread and RMSE.

RÉSUMÉ [Traduit par la rédaction] Dans le filtre de Kalman d'ensemble (EnKF), la taille de l'ensemble est l'un des facteurs clés qui ont une influence importante sur la performance d'un système d'assimilation de données. Il faut souvent choisir une taille d'ensemble assez petite à cause des limites des ressources informatiques, ce qui biaise souvent l'estimation de la matrice de covariance de l'erreur de fond. Cette question revêt une importance particulière pour l'assimilation des données Argo, qui fait souvent appel à des modèles de pointe très complexes. Dans cette étude, nous proposons une méthode de covariance moyennée dans le temps pour estimer la matrice de covariance de l'erreur de fond. Cette méthode suppose que les propriétés statistiques des erreurs de fond ne changent pas de façon importante d'une étape d'analyse à la suivante durant un court laps de temps, ce qui permet d'utiliser dans les étapes courantes les ensembles générés aux étapes précédentes. Ainsi, on peut construire une matrice d'ensembles conjoints combinant les ensembles des étapes précédentes et courantes pour former un plus grand ensemble dans le but d'estimer la covariance de l'erreur de fond. Cette méthode peut accroître la taille de l'ensemble sans augmenter le nombre d'intégrations du modèle; elle équivaut à estimer la matrice de covariance de l'erreur de fond en utilisant la covariance moyenne de l'ensemble calculée sur plusieurs étapes d'assimilation. Nous appliquons cette méthode à l'assimilation des ensembles de données Argo et d'altimétrie avec un modèle de circulation océanique générale.

Des essais montrent que l'emploi de cette covariance moyennée dans le temps peut améliorer la performance de l'EnKF en réduisant l’écart-type et en améliorant l'estimation de la structure de la covariance de l'erreur de même que la relation entre l'étalement et l'écart-type l'ensemble.     

Cloud mapping from the earth's surface using infrared radiance contrasts*

Abstract

Radiance criteria for distinguishing low, middle, and high clouds in the 9.5–11.5 μm band of the infrared are developed and used to produce local cloud maps. The performance of this radiance contrast method for mapping clouds from the earth's surface is evaluated with a view to using the technique for objective observation of cloud amount and distribution in the sky hemisphere.

Discrimination radiance formulas are developed using a multilayer, wavenumber‐specific infrared radiative transfer model including cloud parameters measured by other workers and atmospheric conditions measured by radiosonde. The clear sky radiance (N₀) is the dominant independent variable in the discrimination formulas. The variation of N₀ with time (primarily due to changes in atmospheric water vapour content) and zenith angle are found to be important in distinguishing cirriform clouds from clear sky and other clouds.

The local cloud maps are produced by applying the discrimination radiances (in voltage form) to the output from a narrow‐view infrared radiometer pointed at a sky‐scanning mirror. It is necessary to assume that the radiance from a cloud observed at the surface decreases unambiguously with an increase in cloud base height. Cloud maps for five days in July 1978 indicate the mapping technique shows promise under a wide range of sky conditions. Cloud motions rapidly degrade the maps’ quality over time‐scales that are much less than the current manual cloud sampling period of 1 h.     

资料同化中背景场位势高度误差统计分析的研究

在客观分析中,背景误差协方差对观测信息的传播和平滑、反映不同变量之间的关系有着非常重要的作用.构造合理的背景误差协方差矩阵对于同化系统至关重要,甚至会决定同化分析的好坏.作者主要利用观测余差方法,用T213预报资料和无线电探空观测资料统计我国区域的背景位势高度误差协方差样本,分析背景误差协方差场的结构特征和拟合误差场的空间分布.     

GRAPES全球三维变分同化中卫星微波温度计亮温的背景误差及在质量控制中的应用

模式变量背景误差在观测空间的投影,也即观测变量的背景误差包含了变分同化系统的重要信息,其在诊断和分析变分同化系统中资料的影响等方面具有重要作用,特别是在背景场检查质量控制中。在GRAPES全球三维变分同化(3DVar)系统中仅给定了控制变量的背景误差,并未直接给定观测变量的背景误差。为了能够对GRAPES全球3DVar进行全面的诊断和分析,改进卫星微波温度计资料的质量控制,推导出GRAPES全球3DVar同化系统控制变量随机扰动方法估计观测变量的背景误差的公式,为分析和改进GRAPES全球3DVar提供了一个有力工具,并进而估计了AMSU-A亮温的背景误差,分析了AMSU-A不同通道亮温的背景误差特征,将其应用于GRAPES全球3DVar的AMSU-A亮温的背景场检查质量控制中。结果表明,控制变量随机扰动方法估计的GRAPES全球3DVar同化系统AMSU-A亮温的背景误差正确合理。同化循环预报试验结果表明,亮温的背景误差在背景场检查中的应用显著提高了GRAPES全球3DVar同化的亮温资料的数量,显著提高了GRAPES南半球对流层中高层位势高度场的预报技巧。在GRAPES全球3DVar同化系统中推导和实现的控制变量扰动方法为诊断和分析GRAPES全球3DVar观测资料同化效果提供了有力工具。      

全球资料同化中误差协方差三维结构的准确估计与应用Ⅰ:观测空间协方差的准确估计

观测误差与背景误差协方差在四维资料同化和业务资料分析系统中起到决定性作用,它决定着观测信息与背景初猜值信息的相对重要性以及这些信息在空间及不同变量间的扩展方式。由于实际大气的真值并不知道,需要发展不同的技巧来估计观测误差与背景误差协方差,其中在观测空间利用观测与背景初猜值之差来分离观测误差与背景误差协方差的方法估计出的结果较为准确,其估计出的观测误差可直接用于资料分析系统中,背景误差可作为标尺来度量其他方法估计结果的可靠性。文章采用国家气象中心T213L31全球中期分析预报系统的6 h预报作为背景初猜场及同时段冬夏两个季节的北半球探空,利用贝塞尔函数拟合方法来分离观测误差与背景误差协方差,并比较了东亚区、北美区、欧洲区3个探空资料均匀密集区的区域与季节变化结果。结果表明,观测空间拟合方法所要求的水平均质、各向同性在欧洲区和北美区成立程度较好,在东亚区略差,使用时需要斟酌。此外均方差区域间差别较大,在冬季明显大于夏季,温度场偏大0.2 K,风场偏大0.9 m/s。温度场在400 hPa以下与150 hPa以上,背景误差略小于观测误差,而在200—300 hPa,背景误差略大一些。风场的特点与温度场比较一致。温度与风场背景误差主要集中在前40波,并在20波左右达到最大,水平相关季节区域差别不大,而温度垂直相关比风场窄,两者相关范围比较大的波数主要集中在前20波。此外利用贝塞尔函数拟合方法获得结果的分析表明,在质量场中不同区域季节间温度误差的稳定性要明显好于高度场,涡度散度的稳定性要明显好于流函数和势函数,特别是对于特征长度更为明显。这表明利用贝塞尔函数拟合方法获得的结果对校准在全球资料同化中采用温度、涡度散度作为资料同化的分析变量具有一定的优势。     

集合变分混合同化背景误差协方差流依赖性分析

通过单点观测试验的方法,对集合变分混合同化背景误差协方差的流依赖特征、流依赖性影响因子、产生原因,以及集合预报方法对流依赖性的影响进行了研究。结果表明:由于引入了集合信息,集合变分混合同化的分析增量与天气系统的分布有关,具有非均匀、各向异性的特征;这种流依赖特征对混合系数敏感,当集合协方差所占权重很小时,分析增量仍呈现出均匀、各向同性特征;混合同化背景误差协方差的流依赖特征不仅与集合样本有关,还与构造集合协方差的ETKF方法有关,只引入与环流形势密切相关的集合样本并不能使分析增量表现出显著的流依赖性,集合样本和ETKF方法共同作用才能将流依赖信息引入到混合协方差中,使分析增量出现流依赖特征;不同集合预报方法对混合协方差的流依赖特征有显著影响,考虑初值和物理过程的超级集合,以及在超级集合样本上再进行ETKF更新扰动后样本构造的混合协方差流依赖特征更加显著。     

Numerical experiments for Typhoon Dan incorporating AMSU-A retrieved data with 3DVM

Two sets of assimilation experiments on a landfalling typhoon—Typhoon Dan(1999)over the western North Pacific were designed to compare the performances of two kinds of variational data assimilation schemes that are the 3-Dimensional Variational data assimilation of Mapped observation(3DVM)and the 4-dimensional variational data assimilation(4DVar).Results show that:(1)both the 3DVM and 4DVar successfully improved the simulations of typhoon intensity and track incorporating the satellite AMSU-A retrieved temperature and wind data into the initial conditions,and the 3DVM more significantly due to the flow-dependent of background error covariance matrix and observation error covariance matrix like 3-dimensional variational data assimilation(3DVar)circle;(2)inclusions of extra model integration iterations at each observation time in the 3DVM make it more consistent with prediction model;(3)the 3DVM is much more time-saving due to the exclusion of the adjoint technique in it.