observationaldatausedforassimilationinthencepnorthamer.docVIP

1.4 Observational Data Used for Assimilation in the NCEP North American Regional Reanalysis Perry C. Shafran*, Jack Woollen SAIC/GSO and NCEP/EMC, Camp Springs, MD Wesley Ebisuzaki NCEP/CPC, Camp Springs, MD Wei Shi, Yun Fan RSIS and NCEP/CPC, Camp Springs, MD Robert W. Grumbine NCEP/EMC, Camp Springs, MD Michael Fennessy COLA, Calverton, MD (updated 12 June 2006) 1. Introduction The National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR, Mesinger et al, this volume) assimilated a great deal of observational data. The data used was assimilated into the analysis, used as boundary conditions, or directly used during the execution of the Eta model. Here, the data usage and preparation are described in depth. Table 1: Data Used in Global Reanalysis and Regional Reanalysis Dataset Observed variable Source Rawinsondes Temperatures, wind, moisture NCEP/NCAR Global Reanalysis (GR) Dropsondes Same as above GR Pibals Wind GR Aircraft Temperature and wind GR Surface Pressure GR Cloud drift Winds from geostat.sat. GR 2. Data Used in Global Reanalysis and Regional Reanalysis Much of the NARR input dataset was created during the preparation period of the NCAR/NCEP Reanalysis, also known as the Global Reanalysis (GR). Most, but not all, of that data was also used in the NARR. Temperature, winds, and moisture from radiosondes were used in the NARR. Figure 1 shows a 00Z radiosonde distribution for a typical day. About 100-130 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corresponding author address: Perry C. Shafran, SAIC/GSO and NCEP/EMC, 5200 Auth Rd. Rm. 207, Camp Springs, MD 20746; email: Perry.Shafran@noaa.gov radiosondes were available for assimilation. Also included were dropsondes, instruments dropped from airplanes, that also measured temperature, winds, and moisture. Wind data was used from pibals. Commercial aircraft measur