Impacts on Initial Condition Modification from Hyperspectral Infrared Sounding Data Assimilation: Comparisons between Full-Spectrum and Channel-Selection Scheme Based on Two-Month Experiments Using CrIS and IASI Observation

Abstract

This paper discusses the performance difference between full-spectrum and channel-selection assimilation scheme of hyperspectral infrared observation, e.g. CrIS and IASI, on improving the accuracy of initial condition in numerical weather prediction. To accomplish this, we develop a 3D-Variational data assimilation system whose observation operator is a principal-component based fast radiative transfer model, which equips the direct assimilation of full-channel radiance from hyperspectral infrared sounders with high computational efficiency. This project's primary goal is to demonstrate that assimilation of infrared observation in a full-channel mode could improve the accuracy of initial condition compared to selected-channel assimilation. Results show that full-channel assimilation performs better than selected-channel assimilation in modifying low and middle troposphere (1000 -700 hPa, 700 -400 hPa) temperature and water vapor field, while marginal improvements from temperature and water vapor field could be found over upper troposphere (400 -100 hPa). This research also proves the feasibility of an alternative path to data assimilation for the full usage of hyperspectral infrared sounding observation in numerical weather prediction.