Description:

The need for more accurate 3D wind observations has long been a high priority in the science community, as they have been shown to lead to increased skill in retrieving and assimilating, e.g., atmospheric motion vector (AMV) winds from space-based passive (visible, infrared, and microwave) sounding and imaging instruments. To address this need, in August 2018 the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the first space-based Doppler wind lidar (DWL) onboard the Aeolus satellite in order to acquire 3D profiles of wind on a global scale. Since then, the mission has consistently provided global wind profiles and corresponding aerosol data products for research endeavors and operations.

Several weather forecast centers including the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Deutscher Wetterdienst, Météo-France, and the U.K. MetOffice, are operationally assimilating Aeolus wind observations and demonstrating their positive impact on forecast skill. International Cal/Val efforts are still ongoing to assess the value and potential of direct, full tropospheric, active wind lidar observations (like those from Aeolus) and include data assimilation, impact assessment, and direct wind measurement comparison with other wind observations, including radiosondes, radar wind profilers, and airborne and ground-based Doppler lidars.

This session seeks presentations on the following: (a) activities including field campaigns involving ESA’s Aeolus wind observations or those from other wind lidars; (b) impact assessment of assimilated Aeolus observations; (c) methods to combine active and passive observations of 3D winds to increase the impact of both on forecast skill, (d) OSSE study results related to active and passive atmospheric wind observations; and (e) objectives and roadmaps for future Aeolus or other wind lidar-related missions.