Utilization of GOES Rapid-Scan Wind Data for Tropical Cyclone Predictability Experiments

The overarching goal of this research is to obtain special data sets of GOES rapid-scan RS atmospheric motion vectors AMV to assimilate and test for improvements in NAVY global numerical model NOGAPS forecasts of tropical cyclones TC using targeting information provided by NRL-MRY. There is the potential for forecast benefits with the GOES RS-AMV since the higher image frequency yields more accurate observations in comparison to routinely-produced GOES AMV data. This is the motivation for this investigation. The proposed two-year effort will focus on the collection and processing of the RS datasets by the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies CIMSS at the University of Wisconsin at Madison during two, 3-month focused periods of Atlantic TC activity in 2005 and 2006. These experimental and advanced datasets will be used for the following 1 to demonstrate targeting concepts, 2 for satellite data assimilation trials, and 3 to test for predictability impacts on NOGAPS forecasts of TC tracks and intensity.