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Providing SSM/I Fundamental Climate Data Records to NOAA

Frank Wentz

Frank Wentz
Remote Sensing Systems - Director and Lead Scientist
Web Group

Background

The Special Sensor Microwave Imagers (SSM/I) are a series of 6 satellite radiometers that have been in operation since 1987. These satellite sensors measure the natural microwave emission coming from the Earth’s surface. These emission measurements contain valuable information on many important climate variables including winds over the ocean, the moisture and rain in the atmosphere, sea ice, and snow cover. However, the extraction of this information from the raw satellite measurements is a complicated process requiring considerable care and diligence. The first step in the process is the generation of Fundamental Climate Data Records (FCDR) of the sensor measurements in terms of antenna temperatures and brightness temperatures.

This map shows the total amount of water vapor over the oceans on August 12, 2005, and is a composite of observations from three different satellites, each carrying an SSM/I.

The series of 6 SSM/Is has provided daily measurements of atmospheric water vapor since 1987. Water vapor is an important climate variable in that it is the primary greenhouse gas and it also provides the "fuel" for storms and hurricanes. This map shows the total amount of water vapor over the oceans on August 12, 2005, and is a composite of observations from three different satellites, each carrying an SSM/I.

Work Plan

Since the first SSM/I was launched in 1987, Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) has been providing SSM/I data to the research and climate communities. The most current RSS dataset is called Version 6 and is generally recognized as the most complete and accurate SSM/I FCDR available. As part of this project, RSS will transfer the V6 SSM/I FCDR to the National Climate Data Center, thereby providing free access to the dataset. In addition RSS will provide full documentation on the generation of the V6 SSM/I FCDR. The other part of this project is to provide User support for the SSM/I FCDR. This support includes (1) the continued processing of the F15 SSM/I, (2) a complete reprocessing of all SSM/I data when Version 7 is finalized, (3) converting the RSS binary format into the netCDF4 format, and (4) supporting Users inquiries and feedback and attending meetings and conferences.