High Latitude Satellite-derived Winds: Use and Impact Over the Last Decade

Over the last ten years, satellite-derived winds in high latitudes have been used in most operational global forecast models. It began in 2001 with an experimental polar wind product that was developed by NOAA and the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) using imagery from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra satellite. Early the next year, two numerical weather prediction centers demonstrated a positive impact of the MODIS winds on forecasts not only in the polar regions, but globally. Routine generation of the Terra MODIS winds began in 2002, with Aqua MODIS winds following soon thereafter. Today, the MODIS winds are produced operationally by NOAA/NESDIS, along with polar winds from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on NOAA-15, -16, -18, -19, and Metop-A.

Currently, thirteen numerical weather prediction centers in nine countries now use the MODIS and/or AVHRR winds in their operational systems. We will provide an overview of assimilation and forecast impacts from various centers, including experiments using NCEP's Global Forecast System (GFS) at CIMSS. In addition, we will report on the history of the polar winds project, the current product suite, and future high latitude winds products.