1. Applications of LANCE Data at SPoRT LANCE Users Working Group Tuesday, September 23 Andrew Molthan Research Meteorologist, NASA/SPoRT, Marshall Space Flight Center andrew.molthan@nasa.gov

2. Background Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center: Applies NASA and NOAA measurement systems and unique Earth science research to improve the accuracy of short-term weather prediction at the regional and local scale Capabilities and successes are based upon close collaborative partnerships with numerous NOAA/NWS Forecast Offices, National Centers, algorithm developers, and data dissemination teams, including direct readout and LANCE Representation of SPoRT partnering NOAA/NWS facilities, collaborative research partners, and data distribution sources.

3. Use of LANCE Data at SPoRT The SPoRT team uses LANCE data to provide near real-time information for weather and disaster applications where direct broadcast data are unavailable Current applications of LANCE data: – Using LANCE API to acquire Terra and Aqua MODIS land and atmosphere data for vegetation composites Current focus on CONUS to identify land surface change resulting from severe weather, with opportunities to expand for global applications in landslides, flooding, and other areas. – Using LANCE ftp subscriptions to fill in data gaps for outside CONUS LANCE provides SPoRT team members with data subscriptions that push granules via FTP for locations such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico Data products are processed at SPoRT and disseminated via AWIPS / AWIPS II (NOAA/NWS partners) and WMS (Disasters)

4. Vegetation Composites and Differencing The LANCE API is used to collect MODIS observations, from which NDVI and NDVI change are derived. Short-term NDVI change following severe weather can be used to identify hail or tornado damage scars, when corroborated with other storm information. Providing data to the NOAA/NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit via WMS for use in the field. Example MODIS NDVI difference product derived from LANCE observations and shown in the NOAA/NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit

5. Vegetation Composites and Differencing The LANCE API is used to collect MODIS observations, from which NDVI and NDVI change are derived. Short-term NDVI change following severe weather can be used to identify hail or tornado damage scars, when corroborated with other storm information. Providing data to the NOAA/NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit via WMS for use in the field. Example hail damage scars evident across Nebraska, derived from LANCE observations. Sharp, short-term decreases in brown highlight damage in cloud-free areas. Clouds

6. Desired Products and Improvements The availability of the LANCE API for acquisition of MODIS granules makes it very easy to acquire data: – “I really like that their API allows us to only download data that meets our criteria (domain, date/time, product, satellite, etc.)” It would be fantastic to see this API capability extended for VIIRS and other key S-NPP data sets. – Although numerous venues exist for acquiring S-NPP data, a one-stop shop focused on minimizing latency and streamlined APIs for dissemination (e.g. LANCE) would be of great help – easily extend MODIS work to VIIRS data. – Easier acquisition and processing of OCONUS regions for disasters or international application partners with SERVIR SPoRT is also using GPM passive microwave data and rain rates for weather applications. – Having a LANCE-like API for data acquisition would be helpful. As always, any steps that can be taken to reduce latency are helpful – Reduced latency of products, or options for automatic delivery (e.g. FTP subscriptions) that minimize time in searching and acquiring products

7. Wish List of Products and Capabilities SPoRT makes heavy use of S-NPP and GPM observations that would be helped via distribution on LANCE. – VIIRS reflectance and brightness temperatures, day-night band, cloud products (e.g. cloud top pressure, masks), vegetation index … in many ways, cloning numerous successful applications from MODIS – Vertical profiles of temperature and moisture for weather analysis and modeling applications – GPM data provide passive microwave brightness temperatures to partners like the National Hurricane Center. In addition, precipitation rates are useful in analysis and land surface modeling. Extension of these data sets to the LANCE API and other tools will be helpful for acquiring data over CONUS, O-CONUS, and globally as we extend to international partnerships via SERVIR.

8. Worldview / WMS Opportunities SPoRT has significant interest in further development of WMS capabilities for data dissemination. For example, true color products from MODIS (and VIIRS…?) might be integrated within the NOAA/NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit – In addition, we might explore dissemination of LANCE vegetation products (esp. any short-term anomalies) for highlighting damage – The Damage Assessment Toolkit will likely grow capabilities beyond severe weather – offering opportunities to disseminate LANCE products that highlight other disaster impacts, such as flooding, fires, environmental damage, and more – Dissemination of VIIRS data, such as the day-night band, may present unique opportunities for disaster response

9. Wish List of Products and Capabilities SPoRT can partner with LANCE to explore WMS capabilities, such as incorporating true color imagery and other products for NWS/NOAA DAT storm damage identification, and other end-user partnerships with interests in land use and land use change (SERVIR).

10. Wish List of Products and Capabilities SPoRT can partner with LANCE to explore WMS capabilities and additional multi-spectral imagery (and training) to highlight MODIS and VIIRS capabilities. Numerous opportunities exist for additional product generation and dissemination to end users. Popular with NWS forecasters, the “nighttime microphysics” composite highlights different cloud features. fog and low stratus Cold, cloud-free land high ice clouds thunderstorms Combination of the VIIRS DNB and VIIRS infrared helps to identify and categorize cloud characteristics, especially in periods of low moonlight. High, cold clouds Low, moonlit clouds Cities Oil / Gas

11. Summary The SPoRT Center makes extensive use of LANCE products for weather, climate, and disaster applications. We highly value the streamlined APIs that allow for global search and acquisition of MODIS products – It would be great to see these capabilities extended to S-NPP data sets and other NASA missions such as GPM SPoRT applications continue to grow in S-NPP, GPM, and upcoming SMAP areas, and LANCE-like data access is beneficial. We would be highly interested in developing closer, collaborative partnerships to test and evaluate new LANCE capabilities for S-NPP, GPM, and other instruments.

12. Questions? Contact: – andrew.molthan@nasa.gov andrew.molthan@nasa.gov – gary.jedlovec@nasa.gov gary.jedlovec@nasa.gov Also, an opportunity to learn more about S-NPP Applications! – Second Suomi NPP Applications Workshop – University of Alabama in Huntsville and MSFC Earth Science Office – November 18-20 at the Westin, Huntsville, Alabama – Presentations will include updates on S-NPP Science Team, NASA/NOAA activities, and emphasize Applied Science application focus areas http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/conference/ npp_conference_home.html http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/conference/ npp_conference_home.html

13. Backups

14. VIIRS Disaster Applications at SPoRT False color composite of pre- and post-storm VIIRS DNB imagery over New York and New Jersey following Superstorm Sandy (reproduced from Molthan et al. 2013) SPoRT provided U.S. Northern Command with daily VIIRS DNB and guidance on deriving “percent of baseline” light emissions used by DoD in recovery efforts.