Development of an Operational Data Assimilation Package Using NAAPS and NAVDAS (no cost extension)

The purpose of this research was to improve the Navys visibility and aerosol forecasting capability through aerosol data assimilation. New and advancing satellite aerosol retrievals and datasets are allowing the scientific community to gain an unprecedented volume of observations of the global aerosol distribution. However, few efforts have been previously made to include satellite aerosol products into aerosol models through data assimilation. Such assimilation certainly benefits operational visibility and air quality forecasts.