Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), NOAA's Proving Ground Initiative on Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Impact Studies and Critical Weather Applications

The JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction (PGRR) program supports user demonstration by stimulating interactions between technical experts from the JPSS Program, university partners, and key user stakeholders. The PGRR program’s primary objective is maximizing the benefits and performance of S-NPP and JPSS data, algorithms, and products for downstream operational and research users. The PGRR Program projects are grouped into initiatives, one of which is the NWP Impact Studies and Critical Weather Application initiative. The main purpose of this initiative is to further the scientific advancement of the use of JPSS satellite data to support critical weather forecasting and numerical modeling efforts in NOAA and beyond. Improved use of JPSS sounder data in NWP models will include instrument performance, improved data assimilation methods, impacts of data latency and improved error characterization. Projects in this initiative aim to exploit the benefits of the 50 minute separation between the Suomi NPP and NOAA-20 orbits. Studies on the impact of improved CrIS and ATMS data assimilation in operational Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, such as the Global Forecast System (GFS) and the High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR), enable performance evaluation. This provides feedback on instrument capabilities, helping determine the impact of additional polar-orbiting sounder data on NWP. This presentation introduces seven new projects that were funded under "NWP Impact Studies and Critical Weather Application" initiative for FY18-20, their research importance, goals, rationale behind the projects and the desired outcomes from the research works. It will also include their research updates, primary users, key accomplishments, collaboration to bridge research operation to development of products, user engagement and future plan. The participating project’s research area includes enhancement of direct broadcast satellite radiance assimilation capabilities for regional and global rapid-update models, improvement of NearCasts of geostationary moisture and temperature retrievals using JPSS moisture and temperature, advanced EFSO-based QC methods for operational use and agile implementation of new observing systems, ATMS/CrIS calibration, validation and assimilation improving correlated error, clouds, and the surface, improving the assimilation of CrIS radiances in operational NWP models by using collocated high resolution VIIRS data etc.