Principal Investigator: William Olson Project Title: Calibration and Analysis of Global Latent Heating Estimates Using Passive and Active Microwave Sensor Data Principal Investigator: William Olson Science Issue: Quantify atmospheric latent heating globally using satellite observations, and evaluate the uncertainty in estimates. Approach: Use high-resolution estimates of heating from spaceborne radar to calibrate satellite radiometer estimates; apply to data from multiple radiometers to extend coverage. Satellite-based data: TRMM PR & TMI, AMSR-E, SSM/I. Other data: Rawinsonde array obs.; model reanalyses. Models: Goddard Cumulus Ensemble model; GEOS-3. Study Period: Focus on TRMM period (1998 - present); then process SSM/I (1992 - present). Project Status: Years 1&2 complete - Developed and tested heating algorithm based upon TRMM observations*. Developed classifier of convective environment based upon reanalysis observations; will use to refine estimates. Year 3 (now) - Generalizing method to AMSR-E, SSM/I. Will focus on error estimates and applications. *Grecu, M., W. S. Olson, C.-L. Shie, and W.-K. Tao, 2007: Estimation of latent heating rates from a satellite microwave radiometer algorithm, trained using spaceborne radar observations (in preparation). NEWS linkages: (pull, push, collaborate, external) Collaborate with Wei-Kuo Tao on cloud-resolving model simulations - analysis and improvement. Exchanges with Tristan L’Ecuyer - radiative heating estimates. Collaborate with Houser/Schiffer/Lapenta et al. in WG#2. Contribute latent heating estimates to Duane Waliser, Xianan Jiang, Jui-Lin Li, & Adrian Tompkins - Madden Julian Oscillation diagnosis and prediction. Contribute latent heating and precipitation estimates to Arthur Hou, GMAO - assimilation experiments. Equatorial-mean (10oS - 10oN) latent heating from the trained radiometer algorithm (top panel) and combined with radiative heating from Tristan L’Ecuyer to compose Q1 (bottom panel), for the month of October, 1998. Bill Olson, Updated October 25, 2007