1. Considerations for GOES-R Readiness in Canada
Michael Manore
David Bradley
Meteorological Service of Canada
Service météorologique du Canada
Environment
Canada
Environnement

2. Outline Meteorological Service of Canada How MSC uses GOES today
Space Based Monitoring project
How MSC uses GOES today
MSC Infrastructure for GOES
Key Questions

3. Space Technology in the MSC
Largest Canadian user of real-time operational satellite data (approx. 50 GB/day)
Operational mandate requires access to real-time, reliable, long-term technology programs with built-in redundancy
Core forecasting program depends on data from primarily U.S., Japanese and European satellite programs
POES
Also SAR (Radarsat, Envisat) for Ice Monitoring Program
GOES
FIRST POINT MSC began using satellite imagery experimentally in 1963 and operationally in 1966
LAST POINT The data from foreign met. platforms are essentially free, i.e. only costs to MSC is the cost of access
_______________________________________________
Graphic shows the satellite platforms that MSC relies on most. The downlink locations are indicated on the map.
POES Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (essentially the higher resolution NOAA satellites)
GOES Geostationary Environmental Satellites…imagery of which is often featured on television weather reports
DMSP Defence Meteorological Satellite Program
DMSP
RADARSAT
NESDID & NIC - Washington

4. Canadian Space Agency Partnership
MSC is a major partner in the Earth Observation theme of the Canada Space Plan
Four major areas of cooperation are:
Advanced atmospheric research instruments
Data assimilation and modeling
RADARSAT-1, -2, -C
Cryosphere and Climate initiative
Graphic shows programs that have launched or are funded and are awaiting launch
___________________________________________________
WINDII (Wind Imaging Interferometer)
UARS (Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite)
MOPITT (Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere)
OSIRIS on ODIN (Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imager System)
ACE (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment )
MAESTRO (Measurements of Aerosol Extinction in the Stratosphere and Troposphere Retrieved by Occultation) on ACE
CLOUDSAT Three MSC scientists have been named to the CLOUDSAT science team. Promises improved cloud parameterizations in NWP and climate models
MOPITT on Terra
OSIRIS on ODIN
WINDII on UARS
ACE on SCISAT-1
CLOUDSAT
1991
1999
2003
2001
2000

5. EC Space-Based Monitoring Project
New EC coordination project for satellite EO data
Meteorological (MSC) and other applications (ice, oil spill, ecosystem/land cover mapping, etc)
Key objectives are:
Understanding Requirements
gather & assess priorities
Ensuring Access
ensuring a coordinated, sustainable satellite acquisition infrastructure, including backup
Strategic Planning
developing long term plan to guide investment and use of space-based EO data

6. Current Use of GOES data in MSC
Operational Weather Forecasting
Numerical Weather Prediction
Research
Data Collection System – ~ 700 Canadian Hydrometric Network sites
Environmental Prediction & Monitoring
Sea Ice
Volcanic Ash
Droughts/Floods
Forest Fire Prediction

7. Severe Weather Forecasts and Warnings
Data used for:
severe weather warnings
0 to 24 hour forecasting
aviation forecasts
Each weather centre is equipped to receive satellite data in real-time
GOES animation is a key visualization tool
FIRST POINT Weather forecasting relies heavily on visible and infrared satellite data collected by polar-orbiting and geostationary environmental satellites
_______________________________________________
Graphic shows satellite data (AVHRR) integrated with ancillary weather information through customized software residing at the weather centres
Each weather centre is equipped with downlink capabilities for capturing satellite data real time (GOES) and through SATNET via Anik satellite
SATNET is a satellite-based broadcast system that MSC uses to distribute products from CMC to other weather centres. It broadcasts via Canadian Anik satellite.

8. Numerical Weather Prediction
MSC produces 5-10 day forecasts every 12 hrs., 365 days a year
4-D Var data assimilation scheme
Satellite data are the second most important input to meteorological models after weather balloon data
FIRST POINT Numerical weather prediction, or NWP, is the core of modern weather prediction
_____________________________________________
Graphic shows the amount of GOES radiances received by CMC and assimilated into NWP every SIX HOURS
Purpose is to illustrate that MSC handles (integrates) lots of data on a real time basis and the data is integral to our NWP efforts.
______________________________________________
Satellite and other data...Other data refers to data from weather balloons (radiosondes), aircraft, ships, buoys, surface stations etc.
Satellite sounding provides a vertical profile of temperature and humidity above a fixed location.
Local processing from raw images received by direct broadcast
5 imager channels remapped on a 0.1º grid (~10 km)
Imager 4 (11 μ) used for cloud analysis, but only imager 3 (6.7 μ) is currently assimilated.
Processing steps
One location selected per 1 X 1 deg area (flexible)
Simple bias correction: bias= aBT + b
Radiances assimilated above low clouds if local response function allows it (not sensitive to cloud)
Max satellite zenith angle of 70° (60 deg latitude)
Direct radiance assimilation
Uses MSCFAST radiative transfer model
Gross error check against background (6 hour forecast)
One radiance assimilated every 2 deg to alleviate possible error correlation
IM3 (6.7 m) pixel selection* from GOES-E/W

9. NWP – Atmospheric Winds
GOES-East and West derived winds obtained from NOAA/NESDIS
GOES-P derived winds obtained from JMA
METEOSAT-5 and 7 derived winds obtained from Eumetsat.
Aqua and Terra derived winds obtained from NOAA/NESDIS
4 level classes: surface – 100 hPa, 100 – 400 hPa, 401 – 700 hPa, surface – 700 hPa
Height level determined from observed temperature and model first guess.
Example coverage of Atmospheric Motion Winds hPa (6 hour prd)

10. GOES Research Icing (red color) ICING STUDIES FOG STUDIES
MICROPHYSICAL STUDIES
Icing (red color)
IR Temperature

11. Limitations of Geostationary for Canada
Limited useful coverage for Canada’s Arctic
Resolution degrades significantly as you move northward
current GOES scheduling can limit coverage
Arctic POES vs GOES imagery

12. MSC GOES-E/W Receiving Sites
GOES-12 (East)
GOES-10 (West)
7 GOES-E systems & 3 GOES-W systems
Global Imaging receiver and software
CMC Dorval has 3 systems – provides data to our national EC weather office web site

13. Satellite Distribution
National satellite based redistribution system (SATNET) to retransmit satellite images, bulletins, charts etc to all weather centres across Canada.

14. Key Questions
What are the technical characteristics and options for receiving GOES-R data?
investment decisions are required on the number of reception stations; land/SatNet re-distribution options, etc.
What are the Backup & Contingency plans?
GOES data, products and DCS are mission critical
Is MSC Prepared for GOES-R?
workstation compatibility, algorithm development, meteorologist training, etc.
What archiving scenarios are being developed?
legal obligations, research uses