The impact of space-based wind measurements on high-impact weather forecasting

Measurement of global winds is recognized as a primary unmet observational requirement for understanding atmospheric dynamics and improving weather forecasts. This study explores potentials of the future space-based wind measurements in improving high-impact weather forecasting. First, a series of observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) is conducted to examine the impact of the NASA Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System ocean surface wind observations on the accurate numerical prediction of hurricanes in several flow scenarios. Then, additional OSSEs are conducted to assess the minimum requirements of 3-dimensional wind observations in terms of their horizontal and vertical resolution, sensitivity to each individual wind component (e.g., velocity accuracy, vertical resolution, maximum design horizontal wind speed, etc.), and maximum tolerable errors for improving forecasts of mesoscale high-impact weather systems. Results show significant positive impacts of wind measurements on numerical prediction of high-impact weather systems.

Further interpretation of the OSSE results is given based on most recent investigation in the uncertainties in wind analyses from regional and global reanalysis products.