Experimental use of satellite-derived data in numerical analysis and the effect on a primitive equation prediction scheme

Abstract

The results of an experiment to test the utility of satellite-observed data for enhancing the accuracy and detail of numerical analyses and its effect on the attendant primitive equation (PE) prognoses is presented. The test, carried out in the framework of Fleet Numerical Weather Central's system, employed SIRS data and various quasi objective techniques to establish bogus pressure/height and wind data at sea level/500 mb over the North Pacific Ocean area. The resulting satellite-modified analyses for five synoptic times, in the period 10-12 March 1971, were used to generate PE prognoses from 1200 GMT 10 March and 0000 GMT 11 March 1971. Comparison with PE prognoses from analyses dependent only on conventional data indicated relatively more improvement at sea level than at 500 mb. The complex results are interpreted in terms of the initialization of the analyzed fields, known behavioral characteristics of the PE model, the mechanics of the modification procedures and the experience level of the analysts.