The Impact of Assimilation of GPM Microwave Imager Satellite Radiance on Hurricane Forecasts

The impact of assimilating Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) satellite radiance on the track and intensity forecasts of hurricanes are examined using NOAA operational Hurricane WeatherResearch and Forecasting (HWRF) model. First, the GMI clear-sky radiance data are assimilated with NCEP Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI)-based hybrid 3DVar data assimilation system. The effectiveness of bias correction and quality control methods is evaluated. Data assimilation experiments with the hurricane cases during 2015 and 2016 hurricane seasons indicate that assimilation of GMI clear-sky radiances can lead to improved hurricane forecasts on both track and intensity, with extending depending on the phase and variability of the hurricane case.

Further development has been conducted to assimilate all-sky GMI radiances into HWRF mode with GSI data assimilation system. The new developments emphasize quality control, bias correction, and the background error covariances for cloud hydrometeors and properties. Results will be presented during the symposium.