Provisional Validation of NOAA-21 NUCAPS Environmental Data Records (EDRs)

This presentation summarizes the validation status of global atmospheric profile environmental data records (EDRs) retrieved from the operational NOAA-21 NOAA-Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS). The NOAA-21 environmental satellite was launched as the J-02 low Earth orbit (LEO) “afternoon” (PM local equator crossing time) satellite on 10 November 2022. Preliminary validation of the NUCAPS EDR products was expedited once stable sensor data records (SDRs) from the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) became available. NUCAPS is a sensor-agnostic NOAA enterprise algorithm that retrieves atmospheric profile EDRs under global non-precipitating (clear to partly cloudy) conditions. These include atmospheric vertical temperature (T) and moisture (H₂O) profiles (AVTP and AVMP, respectively), ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Vertical information about these atmospheric constituents is retrieved from high-resolution, thermal infrared (TIR), Earth radiance spectra measured by the CrIS instrument, a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) flown onboard the NOAA LEO satellites. The NOAA-21 NUCAPS profile EDRs are validated using a hierarchy of well-established independent truth datasets, including global numerical model comparisons (e.g., ECMWF), collocated radiosondes (both conventional and dedicated), and ground-based Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) sites. Statistical analyses using these datasets demonstrate that the NUCAPS NOAA-21 profile EDRs were meeting Beta Maturity when the CrIS SDRs reached Provisional Maturity status on 23 March 2023. Drawing upon the previous experience with SNPP and NOAA-20, validation of the NOAA-21 EDRs have proceeded with an expedited schedule, and now generally meet Provisional Maturity status. Provisional Maturity means the products are considered ready for potential operational and scientific use, consistent with JPSS Level 1 global performance requirements in terms of absolute accuracy and precision metrics.

Disclaimer: The scientific results and conclusions, as well as any views or opinions expressed herein, are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of NOAA or the Department of Commerce.