Assimilation of Global Navigation Satellite Radio Occultation Observations in GRAPES: Operational Implementation

This paper presents the design of an observation operator for assimilation of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) refractivity and the related operational implementation strategy in the global GRAPES variational data assimilation system. A preliminary assessment of the RO data assimilation effect is performed. The results show that the RO data are one of the most important observation types in GRAPES, as they have a significant positive impact on the analysis and forecast at all ranges, especially in the Southern Hemisphere and the global stratosphere where in-situ measurements are lacking. The GRAPES model error cannot be controlled in the Southern Hemisphere without RO data being assimilated. In addition, it is found that the RO data play a key role in the stable running of the GRAPES global assimilation and forecast system. Even in a relatively simple global data assimilation experiment, in which only the conventional and RO data are assimilated, the system is able to run for more than nine months without drift compared with NCEP analyses. The analysis skills in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are still relatively comparable even after nine-month integration, especially in the stratosphere where the number of conventional observations decreases and RO observations with a uniform global coverage dominate gradually.     

Assimilation of Global Navigation Satellite Radio Occultation Observations in GRAPES:Operational Implementation

This paper presents the design of an observation operator for assimilation of global navigation satellite system(GNSS) radio occultation(RO) refractivity and the related operational implementation strategy in the global GRAPES variational data assimilation system.A preliminary assessment of the RO data assimilation effect is performed.The results show that the RO data are one of the most important observation types in GRAPES,as they have a significant positive impact on the analysis and forecast at all ranges,especially in the Southern Hemisphere and the global stratosphere where in-situ measurements are lacking.The GRAPES model error cannot be controlled in the Southern Hemisphere without RO data being assimilated.In addition,it is found that the RO data play a key role in the stable running of the GRAPES global assimilation and forecast system.Even in a relatively simple global data assimilation experiment,in which only the conventional and RO data are assimilated,the system is able to run for more than nine months without drift compared with NCEP analyses.The analysis skills in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are still relatively comparable even after nine-month integration,especially in the stratosphere where the number of conventional observations decreases and RO observations with a uniform global coverage dominate gradually.     

The impact of observation systems on medium-range weather forecasting in a global forecast system

To investigate the impact of various types of data on medium-range forecasts, observing system experiments are performed using an assimilation algorithm based on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)/Department of Energy (DOE) reanalysis system. Data-denial experiments for radiosonde, satellite, aircraft, and sea surface observations, and selected data experiments for radiosonde and surface data, are conducted for the boreal summer of 1997 and the boreal winter of 1997/1998. The data assimilation system used in this study is remarkably dependent on radiosonde data, which provides information about the three-dimensional structure of the atmosphere. As expected, the impact of radiosonde observations on medium-range forecasts is strongly positive over the Northern Hemisphere and tropics, whereas the satellite system is most beneficial over the Southern Hemisphere. These results are also found in experiments simulating historical changes in observation systems. Over the tropics, assimilation without radiosonde observations generates unbalanced analyses resulting in unrealistic forecasts that must be corrected by the forecast model. Forecasts based on analysis from the observation data before the era of radiosonde observation are found to be less meaningful. In addition, the impacts on forecasts are closely related to the geographical distribution of observation data. The memory of observation data embedded in the analysis tends to persist throughout forecasts. However, cases exist where the effect of forecast error growth is more dominant than that of analysis error, e.g., over East Asia in summer, and where the deficiency in observations is supplemented or the imbalance in analysis is adjusted by the forecast model during the period of forecasts. Forecast error growth may be related to the synoptic correction performed by the data assimilation system. Over data-rich areas, analysis fields are corrected to a greater extent by the data assimilation system than are those over data-poor areas, which can cause the forecast model to produce more forecast errors in medium-range forecasts. It is found that even one month per season is sufficient for forecast skill verification in data impact experiments. Additionally, the use of upper-air observations is found to benefit areas that are downstream of observation data-rich areas.     

Quality Assessment and Forecast Sensitivity of Global Remote Sensing Observations

The satellite-derived wind from cloud and moisture features of geostationary satellites is an important data source for numerical weather prediction(NWP) models. These datasets and global positioning system radio occultation(GPSRO)satellite radiances are assimilated in the four-dimensional variational atmospheric data assimilation system of the UKMO Unified Model in India. This study focuses on the importance of these data in the NWP system and their impact on short-term24-h forecasts. The quality of the wind observations is compared to the short-range forecast from the model background. The observation increments(observation minus background) are computed as the satellite-derived wind minus the model forecast with a 6-h lead time. The results show the model background has a large easterly wind component compared to satellite observations. The importance of each observation in the analysis is studied using an adjoint-based forecast sensitivity to observation method. The results show that at least around 50% of all types of satellite observations are beneficial. In terms of individual contribution, METEOSAT-7 shows a higher percentage of impact(nearly 50%), as compared to GEOS, MTSAT-2and METEOSAT-10, all of which have a less than 25% impact. In addition, the impact of GPSRO, infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer(IASI) and atmospheric infrared sounder(AIRS) data is calculated. The GPSRO observations have beneficial impacts up to 50 km. Over the Southern Hemisphere, the high spectral radiances from IASI and AIRS show a greater impact than over the Northern Hemisphere. The results in this study can be used for further improvements in the use of new and existing satellite observations.     

卫星资料循环同化应用对区域数值预报效果影响分析

为提高卫星资料在同化系统中的利用率及验证卫星微波资料对区域数值预报效果的影响,本文以2008年8月1-31日为研究时段,利用WRF模式及其WRF-3DVAR同化模块,设计并构建了卫星微波资料的快速循环同化方案,分析循环同化方案对数值预报的改进效果.结果表明,相比于单时次同化,循环同化方案使各预报要素的相关系数在一定程度上得到改善,均方差也呈现减小的趋势.此外,对研究时段内暴雨和台风个例的具体分析显示,循环同化方案能够有效改善降水和台风路径的预报.     

基于守恒重映射的全球非结构网格模式同化及预报初步应用

全球大气模式在发展过程中不断获得改进,并逐渐采用非结构计算网格,如以球面重心Voronoi网格为特点的MPAS-A模式。为改进MPAS-A模式初值,相关的资料同化研究同步在积极开展。本文为实现利用变分方法快速同化多源观测资料的需求,以美国NCEP业务上使用的GSI系统作为同化模块,基于守恒重映射方法进行非结构与结构化球面网格转换,构建了GSI-MPAS同化及预报框架,并进行了网格转换测试和同化预报试验。网格转换检验测试表明,模式物理量的转换误差与其分布特征密切相关,二阶精度守恒重映射转换结果优于一阶精度转换结果。连续一周的滚动循环同化及预报试验表明,基于守恒重映射方法的GSI-MPAS同化及预报框架能够有效同化多源观测资料,改善了初值场的质量并使得MPAS-A预报得到的各个变量更加准确,且对降水预报具有正面效果。进一步分析表明,由于在北半球同化了更多观测资料,所以北半球地区的改进明显优于南半球及赤道地区。     

基于WACCM+DART的临近空间SABER和MLS臭氧观测同化试验研究

本研究在WACCM+DART（Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model,Data Assimilation Research Test-Bed）临近空间资料同化预报系统中加入SABER（Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry）和MLS（Microwave Limb Sounder）臭氧观测同化接口,并以2016年2月一次平流层爆发性增温（SSW）过程为模拟个例进行了SABER和MLS臭氧观测同化试验,得出以下结论:同化SABER和MLS臭氧体积浓度观测得出的WACCM+DART臭氧分析场能够较真实反映SSW期间北极上空平流层臭氧廓线随时间的演变特征,且与ERA5（Fifth Generation of ECMWF Reanalyses）再分析资料描述的臭氧变化特征具有很好的一致性;基于SABER和MLS臭氧观测的WACCM臭氧6 h预报检验表明同化臭氧观测对臭氧分析和预报误差的改善效果主要体现在南半球高纬平流层和北半球中高纬平流层中上层-中间层底部;基于ERA5再分析资料的WACCM+DART分析场检验表明同化SABER和MLS臭氧体积浓度资料可在提高北半球高纬地区上平流层-中间层底部臭氧场分析质量的同时减小该地区上平流层-中间层底部温度场和中间层底部纬向风场的分析误差;基于MLS臭氧资料的臭氧中期预报检验表明相对控制试验同化SABER和MLS臭氧体积浓度资料能更好改善0~5 d下平流层和中间层底部臭氧的预报效果。     

Semidiurnal frequency of the fields of the Arctic ice rarefaction and compression from the MTVZA-GYa satellite radiometer data

The spatiotemporal variability is considered ofthe field of ice rarefaction and compression in the Arctic due to the passage of semidiurnal tidal waves. A simplified method is developed for identification of such fields on the maps of the scattering index (SI) of ice computed from the MTVZA-GYa radiometer data. It is demonstrated that the low and high values of ice SI are ob served at tidal rarefactions and compressions, respectively. The analysis of the maps of extreme values of SI observed in overlapping semidiurnal and diurnal MTVZA-GYa measurements corroborated the existence of semidiurnal periodicity of alternating fields of the Arctic ice rarefaction and compression and revealed no variability in ice SI in the areas where tidal wave phases converge (there the convergence amplitude is minimum).     

气象卫星资料同化的科学问题与前景

从数值天气预报资料同化的角度,分析了气象卫星观测与常规气象观测的不同特点形成了卫星资料同化的特殊科学问题.由于各类星载遥感仪器所观测到的是一定波长的电磁辐射,不能像传统的直接观测资料一样被预报模式直接应用.又由于卫星观测对象是整个大气层,而不是特定高度的大气,因此确定卫星观测影响的高度和它的潜在垂直分辨率成为一个关键问题.卫星观测还可能存在着系统性的偏差,这与直接观测的误差互相独立也有很大区别.资料同化通常建立在模式预报(即背景信息)与观测量的比较的基础上,为了实现同化,需要将模式的基本大气变量转换成星载仪器所获得的特定波长的电磁波特征量,或者将观测到的电磁辐射特征量反算成大气的特征量.前者需要引入复杂的观测算子,后者则将复杂的反演过程交给了前处理阶段.这就形成了直接与间接同化卫星资料的两种不同策略,策略的选择取决于同化系统处理复杂观测资料的能力,对同化效果有决定性的影响.逐个分析了目前用于数值预报的5种卫星观测资料,即星载大气垂直探测器资料、大气运动矢量资料、散射仪海面风资料、卫星观测的云与降水信息资料与GPS掩星观测资料的同化的进展与有待解决的主要问题,概述了中国近年在大气垂直探测器等卫星资料同化中的研究进展及其业务应用的效果,并提出了今后需要予以特别关注的研究方向.     

云海-2掩星探测资料在全球数值天气预报模式中的同化效果评估

本文基于T799L91全球数值天气预报模式及其四维变分同化系统,构建了云海-2掩星探测资料的同化流程,并以2019年7月开展了为期一个月的云海-2掩星探测资料同化预报试验.对东亚区域、北半球和南半球的同化预报结果评估表明:在全球数值天气预报模式中,同化云海-2掩星探测资料能够有效提高预报场的准确性,提高的幅度随着预报时...     

Assimilation of Feng-Yun-3B Satellite Microwave Humidity Sounder Data over Land

The ECMWF has been assimilating Feng-Yun-3B(FY-3B) satellite microwave humidity sounder(MWHS) data over ocean in an operational forecasting system since 24 September 2014. It is more difficult, however, to assimilate microwave observations over land and sea ice than over the open ocean due to higher uncertainties in land surface temperature, surface emissivity and less effective cloud screening. We compare approaches in which the emissivity is retrieved dynamically from MWHS channel 1 [150 GHz(vertical polarization)] with the use of an evolving emissivity atlas from 89 GHz observations from the MWHS onboard NOAA and EUMETSAT satellites. The assimilation of the additional data over land improves the fit of short-range forecasts to other observations, notably ATMS(Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder) humidity channels, and the forecast impacts are mainly neutral to slightly positive over the first five days. The forecast impacts are better in boreal summer and the Southern Hemisphere. These results suggest that the techniques tested allow for effective assimilation of MWHS/FY-3B data over land.     

ESTIMATION OF OBSERVATION IMPACT WITH AN ENSEMBLE SENSITIVITY METHOD

The ensemble based forecast sensitivity to observation method by Liu and Kalnay is applied to the SPEEDY-LETKF system to estimate the observation impact of three types of simulated observations. The estimation results show that all types of observations have positive impact on short-range forecast. The largest impact in Northern Hemisphere is produced by rawinsondes, followed by satellite retrieved profiles and cloud drift wind data, which in Southern Hemisphere is produced by satellite retrieved profiles, rawinsondes and cloud drift wind data. Satellite retrieved profiles influence more on the Southern Hemisphere than on the Northern Hemisphere due to few observations from rawinsondes in the Southern Hemisphere. At the level of 200 to 300 hPa, the largest impact is attributed to wind observations from rawinsondes and cloud drift wind.     

The Effects of Assimilating Satellite Brightness Temperature and Bogus Data on the Simulation of Typhoon Kalmaegi (2008)

Observational and bogus satellite data are directly assimilated into the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in simulations of Typhoon Kalmaegi (2008). The data assimilation is performed using the Radiative Transfer for TIROS-N Operational Vertical Sounder (RTTOV) model and the three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) technique, with satellite observations taken from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-16 (NOAA-16) Advanced TIROS Vertical Sounder (ATOVS) system composed of the High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS), the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A), and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-B (AMSU-B). Data assimilation experiments are initialized at three different times. Improvements in the numerical simulation of the typhoon are discussed in the context of wind, temperature, pressure, and geopotential fields. The results indicate that assimilation of satellite data can improve both the representation of the initial conditions and the subsequent simulation of the typhoon. Different satellite data have different impacts on the typhoon track. In these simulations, data from AMSU-A play a greater role in improving the simulation of the typhoon than data from AMSU-B or HIRS. Assimilation of satellite data significantly affects the simulation of the subtropical high and the steering of the typhoon by the environmental flow. The subtropical high is enhanced and extends westward in the data assimilation experiments. The background flow therefore steers the typhoon more westward, improving the simulated typhoon track. Although direct assimilation of satellite brightness temperature improves the simulated environmental conditions, it does not significantly improve the simulated intensity of the typhoon. By contrast, initializing the typhoon simulation using bogus data in tandem with satellite data improves not only the environmental conditions but also the simulated inner-core structure of the typhoon. Assimilation of both types of data therefore improves the simulation of both the typhoon track and the typhoon intensity. The results of these experiments offer new insight into improving numerical simulations of typhoons.     

On the assimilation of satellite sounder data in cloudy skies in numerical weather prediction models

Satellite measurements are an important source of global observations in support of numerical weather prediction (NWP). The assimilation of satellite radiances under clear skies has greatly improved NWP forecast scores. However, the application of radiances in cloudy skies remains a significant challenge. In order to better assimilate radiances in cloudy skies, it is very important to detect any clear field-of-view (FOV) accurately and assimilate cloudy radiances appropriately. Research progress on both clear FOV detection methodologies and cloudy radiance assimilation techniques are reviewed in this paper. Overview on approaches being implemented in the operational centers and studied by the satellite data assimilation research community is presented. Challenges and future directions for satellite sounder radiance assimilation in cloudy skies in NWP models are also discussed.     

基于卫星亮温资料同化对2009年热带风暴“浪卡”的数值研究

本文利用三维变分同化系统（WRFDA）,设计了4个同化试验方案,将ATOVS卫星亮温资料直接同化到中尺度数值模式（WRF）中,研究同化ATOVS不同卫星亮温资料对2009年04号热带风暴“浪卡”数值模拟的影响。结果表明,直接同化卫星亮温资料能够改善初始场结构（大气流场、温度场）,尤其是对西太平洋反气旋系统,进而提高对热带气旋路径的模拟精度。同化不同类型的ATOVS卫星亮温资料对于热带气旋的移动路径有着不同程度的改善,其中以HIRS3和HIRS4资料同化对热带气旋移动路径改善效果最好。     

多源资料循环同化在台风“潭美”预报中的应用

为了检验不同观测资料在台风预报中的作用,以美国NCEP (National Centers for Environmental prediction)业务同化系统GSI (Grid Statistical Interpolation)为平台,选取2013年路径较复杂且登陆后降水持续较强的“潭美”台风过程为例,分别加入常规地面和高空观测资料、极轨卫星NOAA18、NOAA19、METOP-A和METOP-B资料,以及多普勒雷达基数据资料,探讨不同观测资料同化对台风的预报效果。同时,对台风采用Bogus初始化方案以及循环资料同化对台风路径和强度预报效果进行了对比分析。结果表明:常规观测资料对台风路径预报改善效果最明显,卫星资料的融入对海上台风路径的修正较好,而雷达资料则对台风登陆后的路径预报有改善;并且多源资料的融入效果最好。同时,采用Bogus方案可有效调整初始台风的位置和强度,从而对后期台风路径和强度预报有正效应。采用间隔6 h资料循环同化方法,可有效利用各时段资料,对台风路径和强度预报有较好的改善。      

WRF-EnSRF卫星资料同化模块的构建研究

为加强国内卫星资料在同化系统中的应用,在自主构建的新一代WRF-EnSRF同化系统中,采用RTTOV辐射传输模式作为观测算子,并建立卫星资料读取、偏差订正及质量控制等子模块,构建出WRF-EnSRF卫星资料同化系统.运用该同化系统,同时同化NOAA-16的AMSU-A和AMSU-B的辐射率资料,进行华南暴雨过程的卫星资料同化数值模拟试验.试验结果表明:偏差订正后亮温资料拟合结果基本位于主对角线上,偏差有所降低.从TS评分看,同化试验对中雨及大雨部分的降水落区以及暴雨级别以上的降水强度的模拟效果有改善.试验证明,建立的卫星同化系统是可运行的.     

Intercomparison of the performance of MM5/WRF with and without satellite data assimilation in short-range forecast applications over the Indian region

The present study is conducted to verify the short-range forecasts from mesoscale model version5 (MM5)/weather research and forecasting (WRF) model over the Indian region and to examine the impact of assimilation of quick scatterometer (QSCAT) near surface winds, spectral sensor microwave imager (SSM/I) wind speed and total precipitable water (TPW) on the forecasts by these models using their three-dimensional variational (3D-Var) data assimilation scheme for a 1-month period during July 2006. The control (without satellite data assimilation) as well as 3D-Var sensitivity experiments (with assimilating satellite data) using MM5/WRF were made for 48 h starting daily at 0000 UTC July 2006. The control run is analyzed for the intercomparison of MM5/WRF short-range forecasts and is also used as a baseline for assessing the MM5/WRF 3D-Var satellite data sensitivity experiments. As compared to the observation, the MM5 (WRF) control simulations strengthened (weakened) the cross equatorial flow over southern Arabian sea near peninsular India. The forecasts from MM5 and WRF showed a warm and moist bias at lower and upper levels with a cold bias at the middle level, which shows that the convective schemes of these models may be too active during the simulation. The forecast errors in predicted wind, temperature and humidity at different levels are lesser in WRF as compared to MM5, except the temperature prediction at lower level. The rainfall pattern and prediction skill from day 1 and day 2 forecasts by WRF is superior to MM5. The spatial distribution of forecast impact for wind, temperature, and humidity from 1-month assimilation experiments during July 2006 demonstrated that on average, for 24 and 48-h forecasts, the satellite data improved the MM5/WRF initial condition, so that model errors in predicted meteorological fields got reduced. Among the experiments, MM5/WRF wind speed prediction is most benefited from QSCAT surface wind and SSM/I TPW assimilation while temperature and humidity prediction is mostly improved due to latter. The largest improvement in MM5/WRF rainfall prediction is due to the assimilation of SSM/I TPW. The assimilation of SSM/I wind speed alone in MM5/WRF degraded the humidity and rainfall prediction. In summary the assimilation of satellite data showed similar impact on MM5/WRF prediction; largest improvement due to SSM/I TPW and degradation due to SSM/I wind speed.     

Use of Microwave Radiances from Metop-C and Fengyun-3 C/DSatellites for a Northern European Limited-areaData Assimilation System

正1Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Folkborgsv?gen 17, 60361 Norrk?ping, Sweden2Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Henrik Mohns Plass 1, 0371 Oslo, Norway     

AMSU微波探测资料同化的质量控制方法概述

微波相比红外、可见光等卫星探测方式有能够穿透薄云的优点,同化微波探测资料能明显改进数值预报模式初始场。由于观测算子在云、降水粒子及性质复杂下垫面等因素影响下模拟辐射传输过程不准确,以及资料的观测误差较大等原因,实际同化应用时必须对微波探测资料加以认真筛选。为充分发挥探测资料作用并保证同化分析效果,在同化AMSU微波探测的研究中,很多机构和学者建立了散射指数、降水检测等质量控制方法,用来剔除观测算子不能准确模拟的观测。研究表明,资料同化过程中引入质量控制能起到改善同化效果,提高数值天气预报准确率的作用。但是,对于各种质量控制方法的原理和使用条件目前尚无完整的分析,使得各业务研究单位使用的质量控制方案差别较大。文章针对AMSU微波探测资料同化,在分析同化误差来源的基础上,总结了散射指数、降水概率、下垫面类型检测等质量控制方法,并简单讨论了质量控制的发展方向。