Analysis of the NWP cloud and precipitation products using CloudSat satellite observations

The goal of this presentation is to demonstrate the usefulness of using high resolution CloudSat observations for characterizing cloud attributes. In the study, cloud properties are compared to NWP cloud and precipitation products. To support this analysis effort, we are enhancing the Model Evaluation Tools (MET), which has been developed at NCAR, to include the capability to ingest satellite observations into a framework for comparisons with model products and/or other satellite datasets. Currently, we are enhancing MET to incorporate CloudSat observations and model cloud products to allow for the characterization of cloud properties along the vertical plane. These enhancements have the ability to match fields from NWP products with satellite observations to provide diagnostic evaluation of attributes such as radar reflectivity structure, cloud top height, and cloud base height. We are currently applying these techniques to a variety of case studies ranging from large synoptic systems to tropical storms. The goal of this type of analysis is to provide tools to help improve the capabilities of models to forecast representative cloud and precipitation features. The presentation will give a summary of the new analysis capabilities for CloudSat and model evaluations. The presentation will also highlight some of the results obtained from analysis of several case studies.