NOSIA-II Calibration using Sensitivity Studies

Observing system experiments (OSEs) are important in determining the impact of various earth observing systems on a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model. Observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) are critical in examining future observing system impacts or changes in configuration on an NWP system. While an OSE or OSSE provides a quantitative analysis of current or future observing system impacts for a single model, the effects on products that rely on that model can only be estimated qualitatively. Additionally, the observational impacts due to observing system configuration changes cannot be gauged concurrently across a suite of NWP models (such as those at the NCEP Environmental Modeling Center).

The NOAA Observing System Integrated Analysis (NOSIA) study recently surveyed subject matter experts across all of NOAA to gauge the impacts of the current Earth observation portfolio on the key products and services that define NOAA core mission via interviews with subject matter experts. The Technology, Planning, and Integration for Observation (TPIO) Office and the Quantitative Observing System Assessment Program (QOSAP) have collaborated on calibrating the results from NOSIA-II with relevant studies from QOSAP. Preliminary results will be discussed during this presentation.