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Participants in the Workshop
for Global Microwave Modeling and Retrieval of Snowfall |
During the last meeting of the International Precipitation Working
Group (IPWG) in October 2004 (Monterey, CA) participants proposed
an expert workshop on the status of global satellite estimates of
snowfall. This workshop was later endorsed by the Global Energy
and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Radiation Panel (GRP) and NASA’s
Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Project. As a result of this
initiative, the IPWG/GPM/GRP Workshop on Global Microwave Modeling
and Retrieval of Snowfall was held at the University of Wisconsin’s
Pyle Center October 11-13, 2005, with 42 participants from America,
Europe and Asia (pictured above).
The workshop consisted of one day of overview presentations and
one and a half days of extensive working group discussions focusing
on modeling, applications, new technology, and validation. The presentations
covered various scientific and programmatic aspects associated with
snowfall modeling for radiative transfer, retrieval algorithms and
the potential for data assimilation. A final workshop report can
be obtained from the IPWG web site (http://www.isac.cnr.it/~ipwg/IPWG.html).
Some of the high priority recommendations from the focus areas
include:
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Encourage the generation of community Cloud
Resolving Model (CRM)/Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model
profile databases that represent natural variability. A parallel
effort for databases generated from observations or combined
model simulations and observations is also encouraged. |
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Intensify studies of data assimilation that include precipitation
observations in NWP analysis systems. |
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Establish a modeling chain that links cloud models with
improved models on cloud microphysical information (e.g.,
shapes, phase, etc.) that can be used for the development
of parameterizations for general use in cost-driven applications. |
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Develop high-latitude surface emissivity products (10-200
GHz) including error estimates. |
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The development and further refinement of inexpensive ground-based
remote sensing instruments for snowfall should be encouraged.
In particular, vertically pointing micro radars and microwave
transmission links that measure attenuation due to snowfall
are of interest. |
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The use of combined active (with sensitivity of 5 dBZ or
less) and passive (including high frequency measurements,
and oxygen and water vapor absorption bands) satellite data
for light rainfall and snowfall detection/retrieval should
be further encouraged. Missions such as CloudSat, GPM and
EarthCare will be extremely helpful. |
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High level coordination of international Ground Validation
(GV) programs for snowfall (e.g., through GPM, GEWEX, IPWG)
is urgently needed to advance the current state of snowfall
retrievals. Engagement with other disciplines (e.g., atmospheric
chemistry, cryosphere, etc.) for mutually beneficial collaboration,
including the free exchange of unique data sets (e.g., SNOTEL
observations) is strongly encouraged. |
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Long term surface based measurements of snowfall and water
equivalent must continue to insure continuity for climate
assessment and monitoring. |
The recommendations will be tracked by the IPWG and reported on
at their next meeting (October 2006 in Melbourne, Australia) as
well as at the annual meetings of the GRP. In addition, the GPM
Project is utilizing these recommendations to make several planning
decisions, including the addition of high frequency channels on
the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) and the selection of ground sites
and required measurements within the GV program.
Contributed by:
Ralf Bennartz
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin
– Madison
Bennartz@aos.wsic.edu
Ralph Ferraro
NOAA/NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR),
Cooperative Institute for Climate Studies (CICS)
Ralph.R.Ferraro@noaa.gov
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