NOAA's Role in Space-Based Global Precipitation Estimation and Application (2007)
Chapter: Appendix B: NOAA'S Near-, Mid-, and Long-Term Goals
B
NOAA’s Near-, Mid-, and Long-Term Goals
NOAA NEAR-TERM GOALS (2005-2010)
Data Processing/Algorithm Implementation:
NOAA should leverage off of NASA’s effort on the Precipitation Processing System to develop a parallel joint NOAA-NASA precipitation processing system to be run at NOAA in near real time.
Develop a prototype global quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) (merged satellite, radar and gauge) that can serve as a “day-1” analysis system when data from GPM become available. Utilize measurements from new networks such as NERON.
R&D:
Develop advanced multisensor retrieval algorithms, with emphasis on cold-season and orographic precipitation.
Provide accurate estimates of magnitude of global oceanic precipitation.
Instrumentation:
Perform GPM risk reduction activities by utilizing TRMM measurements.
Develop advanced instrumentation to obtain accurate 3-D information
Utilize testbeds to improve QPE via new instrumentation. and characteristics of precipitation from ground (e.g., polarmetric radars, profilers, disdrometers, etc.).
Applications - NWP (JCSDA):
Improve assimilation of radiances to produce accurate global moisture and precipitation fields in data assimilation.
Provide accurate precipitation estimates independent of the data assimilation system for validation and calibration.
Provide near-real-time accurate estimates of global precipitation over land for assimilation in land data assimilation.
NOAA MID-TERM GOALS (2010-2015)
Data Processing/Algorithm Implementation:
Parallel/joint PPS operated through joint facility similar to JCSDA.
Integration of in situ data (gauge, radar, other) into regional and global analysis.
Collect past measurements of precipitation and satellite radiances for as long as possible and process these to give as long, accurate, consistent records as possible.
R&D:
Continued development of advanced retrieval algorithms to include probabilistic QPE and utilization of cloud microphysics for NWP, flash flood, and climate.
Establish and carry out on-going reanalyses to produce extended and consistent historical records of precipitation.
Instrumentation:
Continued utilizations of testbeds.
Continue to support new technologies and organize into networks (e.g., WSR-88D upgrade to dual-polarization).
Utilization of GPM measurements along with advanced retrieval techniques to define future NOAA precipitation program/mission (GPM follow-on) and Geo-MW (GOES-R series).
Applications - Climate & NWP (JCSDA):
Direct assimilation of precipitation estimates in NWP.
Improve observed and modeled accuracy of tropical precipitation and distribution of latent heat release to improve hurricane, medium-range, monthly, and seasonal forecasts.
Improve forecasts of precipitation globally, with a short-range focus on the United States.
NOAA LONG-TERM GOALS (2015+)
Data production continues via joint GPM facility, including international partners.
NOAA-wide use of unified QPE.
Evaluate and improve mesoscale quantitative precipitation forecasts through new models capable of incorporating cloud-scale processes.
NOAA operational precipitation mission established—could be POES and/ or GOES.
