Satellite-derived 3D Winds: Global Model Impact Studies for Current and Future Observing Systems

Global measurements of 3D winds is recognized as an important dataset to improve weather forecasts beyond two weeks and the predictability of high-impact events, such as, winter storms and hurricanes. At this time, vertical wind profiles through the troposphere are primarily from rawinsondes and aircraft ascents/descents, and are mostly confined to land areas. Wind information over mid- and low-latitude oceanic regions is limited to Atmospheric Motion Vectors (AMVs) from cloud and water vapor feature tracking using imagers on geostationary satellites. A similar technique is used with imagery from polar orbiting satellites over high-latitude regions. However, these geostationary and polar satellite-derived AMVs provide only single-level wind information at a particular geographic location.

To attain a 3D distribution of wind information, an AMV product is being developed based on tracking water vapor features retrieved from hyperspectral sounders. The retrievals produce spatial maps of humidity on pressure surfaces in clear sky and above clouds. The initial AMV product, available in near real-time, is based on retrievals from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) onboard Aqua and is being evaluated by several Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) centers.

We will report on: (a) The assimilation and forecast impact of these high-latitude 3D AMVs in global models, (b) the possibility of extending the technique for use with other sounders, e.g., the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) on Suomi-NPP, and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on Metop, and, (c) a possible configuration for a future satellite mission to extend this technique for global 3D wind coverage.