Application and Impacts of SSMIS on NRL COAMPS Data Assimilation System

Careful assimilation of satellite observations in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models has proven to be a key component in advancing the accuracy of multi-day global model forecasts. Using both 3-D and 4-D variational data assimilation systems, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has demonstrated significant positive impact on the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS)/Naval Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) by incorporating many satellite observations, including the Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS). NRL has also successfully assimilated satellite measurements, including AMSU-A radiances, in our coupled ocean/atmosphere mesoscale prediction system (COAMPSŪ). The purpose of this study is to include SSMIS radiances in the NRL COAMPS data assimilation system (NAVDAS) and to assess its impacts. Preliminary results show small well-behaved innovations for SSMIS channels 2-7 and 24, which indicate that these channels may be successfully assimilated into COAMPS, thus resulting in improved predictions. This talk will present an early assessment of SSMIS impacts on the COAMPS NAVDAS.