The Use of Multi-Parameter Vegetation Remote Sensing in Land Surface Data Assimilation

The current operational land surface model at NCEP, the Noah LSM, can directly use bulk land surface properties, such as albedo and projected leaf area, observed by satellites. Newer generation land surface models, such as Noah-MP, have an explicit canopy along with options for interactive vegetation growth. These models are not able to directly assimilate surface properties. This talk focuses on an approach to assimilate multiple satellite-observed vegetation properties into the Noah-MP land surface model in a consistent manner. The properties considered are all current MODIS land products: leaf area index, photosynthetic radiation, and visible and near-infrared albedo, but the procedure can also be used for future sensors (e.g., GOES-R). Results demonstrate the effect on near-surface temperature and humidity forecast skill in the central United States in summer.