All-sky radiance simulation of Megha-Tropiques SAPHIR microwave sensor using multiple scattering radiative transfer model for data assimilation applications

Incorporation of cloud- and precipitation-affected radiances from microwave satellite sensors in data assimilation system has a great potential in improving the accuracy of numerical model forecasts over the regions of high impact weather. By employing the multiple scattering radiative transfer model RTTOV-SCATT, all-sky radiance (clear sky and cloudy sky) simulation has been performed for six channel microwave SAPHIR (Sounder for Atmospheric Profiling of Humidity in the Inter-tropics by Radiometry) sensors of Megha-Tropiques (MT) satellite. To investigate the importance of cloud-affected radiance data in severe weather conditions, all-sky radiance simulation is carried out for the severe cyclonic storm ‘Hudhud’ formed over Bay of Bengal. Hydrometeors from NCMRWF unified model (NCUM) forecasts are used as input to the RTTOV model to simulate cloud-affected SAPHIR radiances. Horizontal and vertical distribution of all-sky simulated radiances agrees reasonably well with the SAPHIR observed radiances over cloudy regions during different stages of cyclone development. Simulated brightness temperatures of six SAPHIR channels indicate that the three dimensional humidity structure of tropical cyclone is well represented in all-sky computations. Improved correlation and reduced bias and root mean square error against SAPHIR observations are apparent. Probability distribution functions reveal that all-sky simulations are able to produce the cloud-affected lower brightness temperatures associated with cloudy regions. The density scatter plots infer that all-sky radiances are more consistent with observed radiances. Correlation between different types of hydrometeors and simulated brightness temperatures at respective atmospheric levels highlights the significance of inclusion of scattering effects from different hydrometeors in simulating the cloud-affected radiances in all-sky simulations. The results are promising and suggest that the inclusion of multiple scattering radiative transfer models into data assimilation system can simulate the cloud-affected microwave radiance data which provide detailed information on three dimensional humidity structure of the atmosphere in the presence of cloud hydrometeors.     

A time-domain nonlinear effective-stress non-Masing approach of ground response analysis of Guwahati city,India

The response of subsoil strata subjected to seismic excitations plays an important role in governing the response of the overlying superstructures at any site. Ground response analysis(GRA) helps to assess the influence of soil characteristics on the propagating seismic stress waves from the bedrock level to the ground surface during an earthquake. For the northeastern region of India, located in the highest seismic zone in the country, conducting an extensive GRA study is of prime importance. Conventionally, most of the GRA studies are carried out using the equivalent linear method, which, being a simplistic approach, cannot capture the nonlinear behavior of soil during seismic shaking. This paper presents the outcomes of a one-dimensional effective stress based nonlinear GRA conducted for Guwahati city(located in northeast India) incorporating the non-Masing load/unload/reload characteristics. The various ground response parameters evaluated from this study help in assessing the ground shaking, soil amplification, and site responses expected in this region. 2D contour maps, which are representative of the distribution of some of these parameters throughout Guwahati city, are also developed. The results presented herein can serve as guidelines for the design of foundations and superstructures in this region.