An Analysis Of The Impact Of Earth Observations From Space On Australian And Global Numerical Weather Prediction

An Analysis Of The Impact Of Earth Observations From Space On Australian And Global Numerical Weather Prediction. John Le Marshall(1,3), Jin Lee(1), Paul Gregory(1) Jim Jung(2), Robert Norman(3), and Rolf Seecamp(1). (1) Bureau of Meteorology, Australia, (2) Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation, USA, (3) RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia Earth observations from space (EOS), taken by advanced instruments on current and future satellite missions will increasingly provide large volumes of data related to Earth System State. Key benefits from assimilating these earth observations, particularly from an Australian Region and southern hemisphere perspective have been documented. The benefits described are in relation to synoptic scale and severe weather forecasts. Instruments providing these benefits include the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, those carried by the COSMIC Constellation and the GOES and MTSAT imager. Examples of the beneficial impact of these data are provided. Many examples are Observing System Experiments, based on the application of these data to the operational forecast systems at NCEP and at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. It is found in an era where populations are increasing in areas subjected to severe weather and while extreme weather events remain a considerable problem, that EOS significantly extend the life of numerical forecasts. For example in a study using both the NCEP and Australian operational forecast systems the life of a high quality numerical forecast is extended by a factor of four over the southern hemisphere by using EOS. The examples shown in this study underline the great importance and great benefit of EOS for those in both the southern and the northern hemisphere.