Using MODE with Cloudsat Data

This is a look at a preliminary version of a tool that is planned for a future release of the MET verification software package. It is an extension of the Method for Object-based Diagnostic Evaluation (MODE) that uses Cloudsat satellite data and model data to look at spatial objects in the vertical "curtain" swept out by the Cloudsat observation track. In addition to looking at general storm cases we plan to look at several cases where the Cloudsat track has passed very close to the eye of a hurricane, and compare the spatial objects found with those forecast by the model. Forecast and observed object attributes will be compared, and fuzzy logic matching and merging of objects will be done in a manner similar to that of traditional MODE.