Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Impact of satellite soundings on the simulation of heavy rainfall associated with tropical depressions

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Hazards Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study is carried out to examine the impact of temperature and humidity profiles from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) or/and atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS) on the numerical simulation of heavy rainfall events over the India. The Pennsylvania State University–National Centre for Atmospheric Research fifth-generation mesoscale model (MM5) and its three-dimensional variational (3D-Var) assimilation technique is used for the numerical simulations. The heavy rainfall events occurred during October 26–29, 2005, and October 27–30, 2006, were chosen for the numerical simulations. The results showed that there were large differences observed in the initial meteorological fields from control experiment (CNT; without satellite data) and assimilation experiments (MODIS (assimilating MODIS data), AIRS; (assimilating AIRS data); BOTH (assimilating MODIS and AIRS data together)). The assimilation of satellite data (MODIS, AIRS, and BOTH) improved the predicted thermal and moisture structure of the atmosphere when compared to CNT. Among the experiments, the predicted track of tropical depressions from MODIS was closer to the observed track. Assimilation of MODIS data also showed positive impact on the spatial distribution and intensity of predicted rainfall associated with the depressions. The statistical skill scores obtained for different experiments showed that assimilation of satellite data (MODIS, AIRS, and BOTH) improved the rainfall prediction skill when compared to CNT. Root mean square error in quantitative rainfall prediction is less in the experiment which assimilated MODIS data when compared to other experiments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27
Fig. 28
Fig. 29
Fig. 30

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler RF, Bolun DT, Curtis S, Nelkin EJ (2000) Tropical rainfall distributions determined using TRMM combined with other satellite and rain gauge information. J Appl Meteorol 39:2007–2023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alpaty A, Mandala VR, Raman Sethu (1994) Numerical simulation of orographic–convective rainfall with Kuo and Bets-Miller Cumulus parameterization schemes. J Meteorol Soc Jpn 72(1):123–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker DM, Huang W, Guo YR, Bourgeois AJ, Xiao QN (2004) A three-dimensional variational data assimilation system for MM5: implementation and initial results. Mon Weather Rev 132:897–914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen SH, Vandenberghe F, Petty GW, Bresch JF (2004) Application of SSM/I satellite data to a hurricane simulation. Q J R Meteorol Soc 130:801–825

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen C-S, Lu C-H, Chen W-C (2007) Numerical experiments investigating the mechanisms of a heavy rainfall event over northeastern Taiwan and a mesovortex during TAMEX. Meteorol Atmos Phys 95:155–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou S-H, Zavodsky B, Jedlovec G, Lapenta W (2006) Assimilation of atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS) data in a regional model. Preprints, 14th conference on satellite meteorology and oceanography. American Meteorological Society, Atlanta, GA, CD-ROM, P5.12

  • Colle BA, Westrick KJ, Mass CF (1999) Evaluation of MM5 and Eta 10 precipitation forecast over the Pacific Northwest during the cool season. Weather Forecast 14:137–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Divakarla M, Barnet CD, Goldberg MD, Mcmillin LM, Maddy E, Wolf, W, Zhow L (2006) Validation of AIRS temperature and water vapor retrievals with matched radiosonde measurements and forecasts. J Geophys Res 111:D09S15. doi:10.1029/2005JD006116

  • Doyle JD, Warner TT (1988) Verification of mesoscale objective analyses of VAS and rawinsonde data using the March 1982 AVE/VAS special network data. Mon Weather Rev 116:358–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dudhia J (1989) Numerical study of convection observed during the winter monsoon experiment using a mesoscale two-dimensional model. J Atmos Sci 46:3077–3107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dudhia J (1993) A nonhydrostatic version of the Penn State–NCAR mesoscale model: validation tests and simulation of an Atlantic cyclone and cold front. Mon Weather Rev 121:1493–1513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fan X, Tilley SJ (2005) Dynamic assimilation of MODIS-retrieved humidity profiles within a regional model for high-latitude forecast applications. Mon Weather Rev Spl Sect 133:3450–3480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fetzer E et al (2003) AIRS/AMSU/HSB validation. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 41:418–431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gal-Chen T, Schmidt BD, Uccellini LW (1986) Simultaneous experiments for testing the assimilation of geostationary satellite temperature retrievals into a numerical prediction model. Mon Weather Rev 114:1213–1230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grell GA, Dudhia, J, Stauffer DR (1994) A description of the fifth-generation Penn State/NCAR mesoscale model (MM5). NCAR/TN-398+STR, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder

  • Hong SY, Pan HL (1996) Nonlocal boundary layer vertical diffusion in a medium range forecast model. Mon Weather Rev 124:322–2339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ide K, Courtier P, Ghil M, Lorenc AC (1997) Unified notation for data assimilation: operational sequential and variational. J Met Soc Japan 75:180–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Jayanthi N, Lele RR, Sunitha Devi S (2006) Cyclones and depressions over the North Indian ocean during 2005. Mousam 57(3):379–394

    Google Scholar 

  • Kain JS (2004) The Kain-Fritsch convective parameterization: an update. J Appl Meteorol 43:170–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalnay E (2003) Atmospheric modeling, data assimilation and predictability. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 341 pp

  • Lipton AE, Vonder Haar TH (1990) Mesoscale analysis by numerical modeling coupled with sounding retrieval from satellites. Mon Weather Rev 118:1308–1329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lipton AE, Modica GD, Heckman ST, Jackson AJ (1995) Satellite-model coupled analysis of convective potential in Florida with VAS water vapor and surface temperature data. Mon Weather Rev 123:3292–3304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mass CF, Ovens D, Westrick K, Colle BA (2002) Does increasing horizontal resolution produce more skillful forecast? Bull Am Meteorol Soc 83:407–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazumdar AB, Lele RR, Sunitha Devi S (2007) Cyclones and depressions over north Indian ocean during 2006. Mousam 58(3):305–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzel WP, Gumley LE (1996) MODIS atmospheric profile retrieval algorithm. Theoretical basis document. ATBD-MOD-07, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 32 pp

  • Mlawer EJ, Taubman SJ, Brown PD, Iacono MJ, Clough SA (1997) Radiative transfer for inhomogeneous atmosphere: RRTM, a validated correlated-k model for the longwave. J Geophys Res 102(D14):16663–16682

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parrish DF, Derber JC (1992) The national meteorological center’s spectral statistical interpolation analysis system. Mon Weather Rev 120:1747–1763

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakesh V, Singh R, Pal PK, Joshi PC (2007) Sensitivity of mesoscale model forecast during a satellite launch to different cumulus parameterization schemes in MM5. Pure Appl Geophys (PAGEOPH) 164(8–9):1617–1637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakesh V, Singh R, Joshi PC (2009a) Intercomparison of the performance of MM5/WRF with and without satellite data assimilation in short range forecast applications over the Indian region. Meteorol Atmos Phys 105:133–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakesh V, Singh R, Yuliya D, Pal PK, Joshi PC (2009b) Impact of variational assimilation of MODIS thermodynamic profiles in the simulation of western disturbance. Int J Remote Sens 30(18):4867–4887

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakesh V, Singh R, Joshi PC (2010) Impact of four dimensional assimilation of satellite data on long-range simulations over the Indian region during monsoon 2006. Adv Space Res 46:895–908

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruggiero FH, Sashegyi KD, Lipton AE, Madala RV, Raman S (1999) Coupled assimilation of geostationary satellite sounder data into a mesoscale model using the Bratseth analysis approach. Mon Weather Rev 7:802–820

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seemann SW, Li J, Menzel WP, Gumley LE (2003) Operational retrieval of atmospheric temperature, moisture, and ozone from MODIS infrared radiances. J Appl Meteorol 42:1072–1091

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh R, Pal PK, Kishtawal CM, Joshi PC (2008) Impact of atmospheric infrared sounder data on the numerical simulation of mumbai historical rain event. Accepted in Weather Forecast

  • Skamarock WC, Klemp JB, Dudhia J, Gill DO, Barker DM, Wang W, Powers JG (2005) A description of the Advanced research WRF, version 2. NCAR technical note, NCAR/TN-468+STR, 88 pp [Available from UCAR Communications, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307]

  • Susskind J, Barnet C, Blaisdell J (2003) Retrieval of atmospheric and surface parameters from AIRS/AMSU/HSB under cloudy conditions. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 41:390–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tao W-K, Simpson J (1993) Goddard cumulus ensemble model. Part I: model description. Terr Atmos Ocean Sci 4:35–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobin DC, Revercomb HE, Knuteson RO, Lesht BM, Strow LL, Hannon SE, Feltz WF, Moy LA, Fetzer EJ, Cress TS (2006) Atmospheric radiation measurement site atmospheric state best estimates for atmospheric infrared sounder temperature and water vapor retrieval validation. J Geophys Res 111:D09S14. doi:10.1029/2005JD00610

  • Wang S, Yongfu Q (2001) Basic characteristic of surface heat field in 1998 and the possible connection with the SCS summer monsoon onset. Acta Meteorol Sin 59:31–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Weisz E, Li J, Li J, Zhou DK, Huang H-L, Goldberg MD, Yang P (2007) Cloudy sounding and cloud-top height retrieval from AIRS alone single field-of-view radiance measurements. Geophys Res Lett 34:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilks D (2006) Statistical methods in the atmospheric sciences: an introduction, 2nd edn. Academic Press, New York, 627 pp

  • Xavier VF, Chandrasekar A, Singh R, Simon B (2006) The impact of assimilation of MODIS data for the prediction of a tropical low-pressure system over India using a mesoscale model. Int J Remote Sens 27(20):4655–4676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zavodsky BT, Lazarus SM, Blotiman PF, Sharp DW (2004) Assimilation of MODIS temperature and water vapor profiles into a mesoscale analysis system. 84 AMS annual meeting 20th conference on weather analysis and forecasting/16th conference on numerical weather prediction, Seattle, WA, 11–15 January 2004

  • Zhong S, Hee-Jin I, Bian X, Joseph C, Heilman W, Potter B (2005) Evaluation of real-time high resolution MM5 predictions over the Great lakes region. Weather Forecast 20:63–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

MM5 is made publicly available and supported by the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology division at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Their dedication and hard work is gratefully acknowledged. The MODIS, AIRS, and TRMM data obtained from NASA websites are acknowledged thankfully. Author (Rakesh V.) acknowledges the award of research fellowship by University Grant Commission (UGC), India.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR Center for Mathematical Modeling and Computer Simulation (C-MMACS), NAL Belur Campus, Bangalore, 560037, India

    V. Rakesh

  2. Atmospheric Sciences Division, Meteorology & Oceanography Group, Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad, 380015, India

    R. Singh, P. K. Pal & P. C. Joshi

Authors
  1. V. Rakesh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. K. Pal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. C. Joshi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Rakesh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rakesh, V., Singh, R., Pal, P.K. et al. Impact of satellite soundings on the simulation of heavy rainfall associated with tropical depressions. Nat Hazards 58, 945–980 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-010-9700-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-010-9700-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation