Ocean Vector Winds, Looking Toward the Future
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Transcript of Ocean Vector Winds, Looking Toward the Future
Ocean Vector Winds, Looking Toward the FutureAimee Fish, NWS Alaska RegionSatellite Surface Vector Winds Requirements WorkshopJune 6, 2006
Service Improvement
When Dr. Paul Chang flies over the Gulf of Alaska… NWP model performance improves
Requirement
Dr. Paul Chang flies over the Gulf of Alaska (and even the Bering Sea) all the time!
But seriously...
World & US Economic Impacts
OilJan-Aug 2005:
878,000 barrels/day
Tankers carry crude from Port of Valdez
Source: Energy Information Administration, US DOE
World & US Economic Impact
1/3 of the total US fishing incomeSource: State of Alaska
World & US Economic Impacts
ShippingThe Great Circle Route
connects North America with Asia
World & US Economic Impacts
Air Cargo in Anchorage70% of all Asia-Europe
95% of all Asia-USSource: Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
Marine and Sea Ice Forecasts
Bering Sea
All NOAA & All Hazards
• Oil and Chemical Spills– Require precise direction and speed
• Support of Fisheries and Subsistence– Sea Ice– Marine forecasts
• Coastal Erosion
Coastal Erosion
• Remotely sensed wind is necessary where ice prohibits buoys
Other Stakeholders
• Search and Rescue– USGC (even pilots use marine fx)– State Agencies
• Vessel Owners/Operators– Monitoring/tracking vessels and
weather conditions
• Insurance Companies
• Petroleum Industry
The Mantra
• Higher Resolution– Spatial– Temporal (more passes)
• Closer to the coast• Particularly key in SE Alaska
Data Quality
• Improve higher and lower wind speed
• Tighten up the directional error
• Rain contamination
GFE Compatible
• Smart Tools– Initialize wind
field
– Nudge to QuickScat
– Initialize surface pressure field
• AK GFE resolution: 3.1 to 6.2 km
Couple SAR and QuickSCAT
• Combine vector capability of QuickScat with resolution of SAR
• Use one to improve the other
“Small Hat” Website Items
• Northern Latitude tilt
• Archive Search– Why Julian
Day?
• Distance Scale on graphics