NMSC National Meteorological Satellite Center

The Thirteenth Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users’ Conference (AOMSUC-13) hosted by National Meteorological Satellite Center(NMSC)/Korea Meteorological Administration(KMA) will be held from 3-10 November 2023 in Jincheon and Busan, Korea.

• AOMSUC-13 is planning to hold three events:
3-5 November 2023
• Comprehensive training event on satellite data and product utilization in Jincheon
6-9 November 2023
• The AOMSUC-13 plenary and scientific sessions in Busan
10   November 2023
• Joint RA-II and RA-V coordination meeting(by invitation) in Busan

Sessions

The sessions of the AOMSUC conferences are:
• 1. The space program and data access updates
• 2. SmallSat/Cubesat for meteorology, climate, and environmental monitoring
• 3. Application for numerical weather prediction
• 4. Application for weather analysis and nowcasting
• 5. Application for land surface and sea surface derived from satellite observations
• 6. Space weather
• 7. Performance and calibration of satellite instruments

Notice that there is no fee for conference registration, presentation or attendance; but all participants must register at the website given below in the section "Call for papers"

Call for papers

The online registration form and abstract submission can be used the link(Google Form). The registration and abstract submission from including author information, title, and abstract can be downloaded(MS Word Form) and e-mailed to the Local Organizing Committee of KMA at aomsuc13@gmail.com and csr@korea.kr
The conference will be held in English. Abstracts should be no longer than one page (A4). Multiple authors are kindly asked to coordinate a single response. To register more than one author, fill out and submit a form for each.

Deadline for abstract submission: 2 October 2023(Extended)

Please forward this announcement to all your colleagues to keep the dates aside for participating and continue your great tradition to contribute to our AOMSUC community.

Second Announcement

The second announcement will be posted on the website around mid-September 2023. The preliminary program, information for pre-registration which will be requested for all attendees, etc. will be provided with the second announcement.

AOMSUC-13 Summary Report

The thirteenth Asia/Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users’ Conference (AOMSUC-13) was held in Jincheon and Busan, S. Korea from November 3-11. AOMSUC-13 was hosted and sponsored by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), and was co-sponsored by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (ROSHYDROMET), the Agency for Meteorology, Climatological and Geophysics of the Republic of Indonesia (BMKG), the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (AuBOM), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the India Space Res, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

AOMSUC-13 was a major step forward in the hosting of preparation and hosting of the event: after the past four years that were affected by the COVID pandemic (2020 being cancelled and 2021 and 2022 being virtual) as it brought our community back together for an in-person conference: the Korea Meteorological Administration also took the bold step forward of extending the length of AOMSUC by one extra day for training event and one extra day for the in-person conference. An after-training and conference assessment by trainees and conference attendees strongly endorsed and greatly appreciated this extension of those activities.

The AOMSUC began with a three-day training event in Jincheon, that brought together participants from WMO Regions II and V: this portion of the AOMSUC was both in-person and virtual. Including lecturers and attendees, 37 people from 18 countries participated in the face-to-face training event and 15 people participated on-line; the training activity is summarized later in this document. The next four days of AOMSUC-13 were the Conference portion consisting of 69 oral and 9 poster presentations and was attended by over 170 people from 25 countries. The final day of the AOMSUC-13 was a smaller, focused meeting that was attended by 41 people from across WMO RA II and V: “The fifth meeting of the coordination group of the WMO RA-II ET-SOA and RA-V ET-SAT”

The Conference portion of AOMSUC-13 was officially opened in Busan on November 6th by Dr. Dong-Eon Chang Vice-Administrator of KMA. He welcomed the participants to the Conference and the beautiful Busan area. In his opening remarks he emphasized the importance of satellite data to all phases of meteorology and satellite data’s ever-increasing importance to climate monitoring; wished the participants great success in the conference. Next, Dr. Wenjian Zhang, Deputy Assistant Secretary-General of WMO reiterated the points made by Dr. Dong-Eon and pointed out that earth Observing Satellites were a backbone of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS). The opening session was concluded by remarks from Dr. James F.W. Purdom, Chair of the AOMSUC International Conference Steering Committee. Dr. Purdom welcomed the participants and iterated the four main goals of AOMSUC: 1) promote the importance of satellite observations and promote their utility; 2) advance satellite remote sensing by fostering scientist-to-scientist interaction; 3) provide a means for satellite operators to interact directly with the user community; and, 4) engage young people entering the field.

The Opening Session concluded with two keynote presentations. The first keynote by Dr. Wenjian Zhang of WMO addressed the value of Earth Observing Satellites in meeting WMO’s mission. In his keynote address, Dr. Zhang emphasized the value of Earth Observing Satellites in WMO’s mission in Climate and its effect on health and well-being globally. He also stressed the role of satellite data in Disaster Risk Reduction in many areas including floods, fires, and land changes that could lead to landslides. In summary, Dr. Zhang thanked the AOMSUC for its various activities and stressed the importance of working in cooperation with a “Global Spirit”, of working toward improvements in the WMO Global Observing System (WIGOS), and of extending activities to include new Service Areas. The second keynote was presented by Dr. William J.Blackwell, MIT Lincoln Laboratories, and addressed the capabilities that are being demonstrated by small satellites and cube satellites in low Earth orbit for specialized applications. He spoke specifically of microwave cube satellites in a prograde orbit (30-degree positive inclination) for observing atmospheric precipitation and it’s assessing the structures and changes in developing cyclones. The attendees were very appreciative of the role small satellites could play in the future space-based portion of the WIGOS.

The Conference portion of AOMSUC-13 was divided into twelve oral sessions and one poster session. In addition, at the end of the first day three companies made presentations: 1) KairoSpace Co. Ltd (GHG detection Terahertz Solution); 2) NARA Space technology (Earthpaper for Satellite Image Application Services); and, 3) KAI (KAI’s Space Business and Next Generation Met. Sat. Development strategies). The one poster session has nine very interesting posters that dealt with a variety of specialized applications and they can be viewed on line at the conference website. The twelve oral presentation sessions included 59 presentations: their abstracts and presentations are able to be accessed through the conference website. Those oral sessions covered the following topical areas:

• (a) The Space Program and Data Access Updates (Session 1-I)
• (b) Satellite Activities and data Exchange (Session 1-II)
• (c) Application for weather analysis and Nowcasting Sessions 2-I, II, III and IV)
• (d) Application for numerical weather prediction (Session 3-I and II)
• (e) AI/ML in satellite data processing (Session 4)
• (f) Application for land surface and sea surface derived from satellite observations (Sessions 5-I and II)
• (g) Space weather (Session 6)
• (h) Performance and calibration of satellite instruments (Session 7)
• Note that each presentation summary is provided at the last section of this report.

The AOMSUC-13 venue was exceptionally well suited for a major international gathering; audio-visual support was outstanding, and the staff was always on hand when needed. It was evident to all that an exceptional effort had been put forth by the staff of the KMA National Meteorological Satellite Center in the planning and organizing of AOMSUC-13. Both oral presentations and posters were of the highest quality without exception. The conference was very successful in meeting the four major conference goals as set forth by Dr. Purdom in his welcoming remarks. It was evident throughout the conference that the new generation of geostationary and polar orbiting satellites have already had a major impact across the globe – great scientific adventures await us as we move forward with science and product development and new applications with these data: the satellite operators are meeting their commitment as we inaugurate this new era in the Space Based Component of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS). The participants welcomed the efforts being undertaken to introduce and utilize an unprecedented stream of new data; it was agreed that this early coordination in the generation of new products and services and the preparation for their utilization by the worldwide user community must be energetically sustained. It will be a significant undertaking for the operational space agencies and the users to bring to fruition the dream of “full utilization” and these annual activities of the Asia/Oceania satellite community (AOMSUC) are an important part of that effort. At the end of AOMSUC-13, India looked forward to hosting AOMSUC-14 in the Fall of 2024 in a format like that used for AOMSUC-13. The venue and precise dates will be announced in early 2024. At the close of the conference Dr. Purdom, Chair of the AOMSUC International Conference Steering Committee thanked the AOMSUC so-sponsors and conference participants for their support to him as ICSC Chair since the inception of the conference in 2010. He then turned the Chair of the AOMSUC ICSC over to Dr. Allen Huang. Dr. Purdom will remain a member of the ICSC as Chair emeritus.

As the new chair, Dr. Huang acknowledged the participants from EUMETSAT, and NOAA, for their invaluable contribution, which has made AOMSUC continue to be successful and productive. Dr. Huang also attributed Dr. Purdom, the father of AOMSUC, for his long-lasting contributions and was joined by the attendees with a long-standing ovation with profound expressions of appreciation to Dr. Prudom.

Dr. Huang also made a comment about a significant increase in the papers reporting the use AI/ML approach. He took this closing remark occasion to caution us that powerful tool, such as AI/ML, is often associated with risks of lack of understanding and abusive use and might prevent our desire to learn from the complicated theory and take shortcuts without gaining into the insight of highly nonlinear weather forecast system that we are living in.

Dr. Huang further mentioned that IMD director general, Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra in his report on the “Recent Update of the IMD Satellite Program” has officially announced to host AOMSUC-14 in India in the year 2024. In addition to IMD’s forthcoming announcements, the WMO space program website will be an ideal site to get the updated AOMSUC-14 announcement.

Presentations from at AOMSUC-13 Training Activity may be downloaded via the following link: http://www.virtuallab.bom.gov.au/index.php/download_file/view/1725/328/

Conference Session Summary
Session 1-I “The Space Program and Data Access updates” and Session 1-II “Satellite Activities and Data Exchange” were co-chaired by Dr. Dohyeong Kim, KMA and Dr. James F.W. Purdom, Chair of the AOMSUC International Conference Steering Committee.

In these two opening sessions satellite operators from KMA, KARI, CMA, JMA, JAXA, NOAA, EUMETSAT, and IMD as well as AuBOM, representing the user community perspective, presented current plans and anticipated improvements to their respective satellite systems providing meteorological and other environmental satellite data and products across the Asia/Oceania region as well as globally. The current operational geostationary satellites are providing very well-calibrated data that includes high-resolution multispectral Full Disk imagery at very frequent intervals (10 minutes for most) as well as selected sectors routinely with 1 or two-minute interval imagery. China has a dedicated rapid scan geostationary satellite, a geostationary satellite with a hyperspectral sounder. Advanced multispectral products, available in near real-time are being produced from those geostationary satellites (see for example CIRA’s SLIDER application). Also available from some of the geostationary satellites are operational lightning mapper data and research hyperspectral sounder data (China). EUMETSAT plans call for the launch of its hyperspectral sounder in the near future. The advanced polar-orbiting capabilities are equally impressive. The NOAA presentation showed a robust polar mission with the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). The presentation by EUMETSAT supported the importance of JPSS and METEOSAT to both Europe and Oceania. The presentation by CMA emphasized the development of the new generation of FY-3 (polar orbit) satellites as well as the new FY-4 (geostationary) satellites whose instrumentation includes a 14-channel high resolution imager, a lightning mapper, and the first geostationary hyperspectral sounder. The JMA presentation showcased the Himawari satellite’s contribution to Asia/Oceania. KMA pointed out that its new GeoKomsat-2A has a 16-channel high-resolution geostationary satellite imager with similar spectral bands and performance characteristics in most channels that would be operated by KMA, JMA, and NOAA. Those wishing precise information on spectral bands and satellite characteristics should refer to the WMO OSCAR website. The similarity of channels with other geostationary satellite operators would also benefit joint algorithm development relevant to Asia/Oceania.

In looking to the future, it is interesting to note that all satellite operators are converging on similar capabilities from geostationary orbit. Those include advanced imagers with high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions; hyperspectral sounding; lightning mapping; and, solar observations. In its future geostationary constellation, NOAA also hopes to implement hyperspectral visible to near-infrared imaging from geostationary orbit for ocean applications. From low Earth orbit, the future appears exceedingly bright: all major operators have exciting plans to continue the basic polar orbits while exploring the use of prograde orbits for applications for precipitation monitoring as well as low Earth orbits with small satellites for a variety of applications: to keep up with these plans the reader is referred to the WMO OSCAR Web site as well as other information from the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS).

Following Session 1, three Private Sector Companies took the opportunity to introduce their relevant activities to the AOMSUC-13 community. Terahertz Solutions talked about Green House Gas detection. KAI Space Business addressed the Next Generation of Meteorological Development Strategies.

The evening of the first day closed with an Ice Breaker Social and the Conference Dinner.

Session 2 “Application for Weather Analysis and Nowcasting” and was divided into 4 parts.

Session 2-I was chaired by Dr. Douglas Howard, NOAA and Dr. Jiyoung Kim, KMA

Session 2-II was chaired by Mr. Kotaro Bessho, JMA and Dr. Jiyoung Kim, KMA

Session 2-III was chaired by Dr. Fuzhong Weng, CMA and Dr. Jinho Shin, KMA

Session 2-IV was chaired by Ms. Nelly Florida Riama, BMKG and Dr. Jinho Shin, KMA

Session 3 had two parts and dealt with different aspects of satellite data Utilization related to Numerical Weather Prediction.

Session 3-I was chaired by Dr. Jun Li, CMA and Mr. Byung-il Lee, KMA

3-II was co-chaired by Dr. B.J. Sohn, Seoul National University and Mr. Byung-il Lee, KMA

The emerging field of Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning was the topic addressed in Session 4.

Session 4: AI/ML in Satellite Data Processing was co-chaired by Dr. Allen Huang, AOMSUC Co-Chair and JaeYoung Byon (KMA)

Session 5 had two parts and addressed Application for Land Surface and Sea Observations derived from Satellite Observations.

Session 5-I was co-chaired by Ms. Agnes Lane, AuBOM and Mr. JaeYoung Byon, KMA

Session 5.2 was chaired by Dr. Stephan Bojinski, EUMETSAT and Mr. JaeYoung Byon, KMA

The final day of the conference continued with sessions on Space Weather and then Performance and Calibration of Satellite Instruments.

Session 6 Space Weather was co-chaired by Dr. Sung-Hong Park, KASI, and Mr. Daehyeon Oh, KMA

Session 7 Performance and Calibration of Satellites was co-chaired by Ms. Natalia Donoho, Director WMO Space Program, and Mr. Sung-Rae Chung, KMA

TRAINING AND CONFERENCE SESSION SUMMARIES

The 13th Asia Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users’ Conference (AOMSUC-13) training event took place from November 3 to 5, 2023, at the National Meteorological Satellite Center in Jincheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. This training event marked the first face-to-face session since the pandemic and was attended by 19 meteorological forecasters from 17 countries in Asia and Oceania. Additionally, 6 to 10 participants joined online as trainers or trainees.

Nineteen instructors from the U.S., China, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, and Korea led lectures on weather phenomenon analysis using geostationary and low-orbit satellites. They shared insights and practical skills related to satellite usage. Emphasizing cooperation between instructors and trainees, daily discussions using satellite images and practical exercises on satellite image analysis using each country's analysis system were conducted. Online survey tools such as Socrative and Slido were empoloyed to gather opinions.

The main agenda of the event was "Early Warning Based on Satellite Data." In preparation, instructors were initially briefed on this theme, and a pre-survey was conducted one month in advance to understand the interests and needs of the trainees. The insights were then communicated to the instructors for thorough preparation. On the day before the training event, instructors from the U.S., Japan, Australia, and Korea visited the satellite center for a final check of the classroom system.

On the first day, the training began with a keynote lecture by Dr. James Purdom, followed by an orientation and welcome speech. In the morning sessions, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) sequentially lectured on early monitoring of heavy rainfall from Geo-Kompsat-2A (GK2A), services of GK2A satellite, and weather analysis using appropriate satellite products. Their goal was to promote and expand the use of GK2A. In the afternoon, Dr. Jung Hyo Chae conducted a session on water vapor imagery and deformation field analysis.

Following this, participants observed the weather briefing, the first procedure conducted daily during the forecast discussions at the KMA throughout the week. Many questions were exchanged regarding KMA's satellite utilization. The program continued with a lecture on satellite remote sensing of clouds by Professor Takashi Nakajima from Japan and weather monitoring with China's Fengyun satellite presented online by Wei Zheng from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

The day concluded with a discussion led by Dr. James Purdom using CIRA's slider on the development of convective clouds. In the evening, there was a dinner with an exchange of thoughts at a banquet.

On the second day, satellite discussions continued, with four instructors, including Professor Allen Huang with colleagues (Jessica Braun, Kathleen Strabala, and Scott S. Lindstrom) from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), lecturing on satellite analysis using low-orbit satellites. In the afternoon, Rion Salman in the classroom from the Indonesian Agency for Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysics (BMKG), and William Straka, who joined online from CIMSS, explained flood forecasting using satellite data. Following that, Shiho Naiki from the Japan Meteorological Administration (JMA) conducted practical exercises on Satellite Animation and Interactive Diagnosis (SATAID) for Himawari image analysis.

The final day featured a lecture on early warning systems using satellite images, led by Bodo Zeschke from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Following this, Jinho Shin and Kwangmyung Song from KMA introduced methods for analyzing satellite image products using the GK2A satellite. The training concluded with a survey and feedback session by Bodo Zeschke, followed by a certificate award ceremony and closing ceremony.

This training event focused on sharing knowledge about satellite technology and its applications among experts from various countries, emphasizing the accuracy and efficiency in weather forecasting through practical exercises and discussions using actual satellite images. The training served as a valuable opportunity for meaningful communication and cooperation, fostering the exchange of information on the development and utilization of future weather satellites.

Session Summary:

Section 1: The Space Program and Data Access updates

Chair: James Purdom (ICSC), Dohyeong Kim (KMA)

S1-01: KMA Space Program (Sung-Rae Chung, NMSC/KMA)

Sung-Rae Chung (NMSC/KMA) presented the status of Geo-KOMPSAT-2A (GK2A), the National Meteorological Satellite Center (NMSC) of the KMA has been operating the 2nd Korean meteorological satellite. And He introduced that the KMA is planning with mission analysis and feasibility phase for the GK2A follow-on satellite targeted to be launched on the first quarter of 2031.

S1-02: Status of GEO satellites operated by KARI (Eun-Bin Park, KARI)

Eun-Bin Park (KARI) presented currently operating three geostationary satellites by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). Geo-Kompsate-2A(GK-2A) has performed Earth observation missions since its launch in 2018. Geo-Kompsate-2B(GK-2B), has also been providing Earth observation data observed by GOCI2 and Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) since October 2020.

S1-03: Status of FengYun Satellite Program and Future Development (ZHANG Peng, NSMC/CMA)

ZHANG Peng (NSMC/CMA) presented the status of Fengyun Satellite Program and Future Development. In 2023, two satellites have been added to FengYun family, including FY-3G, the first precipitation measurement satellite of the FY-3 series; and FY-3F, FY-3F will undertake the in-orbit operation of FY-3C, and reinforce atmospheric component quantitative sounding and climate change monitoring and serving weather forecasting, atmospheric chemistry and climate change monitoring operation and research on the basis of ensuring near-earth orbit global imaging observation and vertical atmospheric sounding operation.

S1-04 : Status of Himawari-8/9 and their follow-on satellite Himawari-10 (Kotaro Bessho, JMA)

Kotaro Bessho (JMA) presented the status of Himawari-8/9 and their follow-on satellite Himawari-10. On 13 December 2022, JMA implemented the operational satellite switchover from Himawari-8 to -9 smoothly. JMA completed a contract for Himawari-10 in March 2023 and began related manufacture. In addition to the visible/infrared imager, the infrared sounder is planned for Himawari-10 mission to help improve JMA’s services in extreme weather monitoring, nowcasting and numerical weather prediction. The Space Environmental Suite developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) will also be mounted on the satellite as a hosted payload.

S1-05: Recent updates of JAXA Earth Observation (Akiko Noda, JAXA)

Takuji Kubota (JAXA) introduced recent updates of JAXA Earth Observation program. GOSAT-GW, joint mission of GOSAT-2 follow-on (TANSO-3) and GCOM-W/AMSR2 follow-on(AMSR3), is scheduled to be launched in JFY2024. EarthCARE will be launched in 2024, which observes clouds, aerosols, and radiation on a global scale to improve the accuracy of climate change predictions. JAXA is developing the CPR on the EarthCARE, which will be the world's first W-band (94GHz) Doppler radar aboard a satellite. GCOM-C has achieved the 5-year nominal mission phase and has been in the post-mission phase since Jan. 2023.

S1-06: NOAA: Current and Future Satellite Systems (Howard, Douglas, NOAA/NESDIS)

Howard, Douglas (NOAA/NESDIS) presented current and Future Satellite Systems. NOAA owns and operates 11 environmental satellites. These include five geostationary satellites (GOES-14, -15, -16, -17, -18), five polar-orbiting satellites (NOAA-15, -18, -19, -20, and -21) and one deep space mission (DSCOVR). NOAA operates but does not own an additional six satellites. NOAA plans to launch one additional GOES series and two additional JPSS series satellites between 2024 and 2031. NOAA is also purchasing commercial radio occultation data and exploring options for disaggregated small sats in LEO to enhance our future architecture. These missions, along with other NOAA collaborations (COSMIC, JASON, etc.) are key contributions to the space-based portion of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System.

S1-07: Next-generation eyes to check the pulse of Earth (Stephan Bojinski, EUMETSAT)

Stephan Bojinski (EUMETSAT) presented preliminary imagery from the FCI and LI instruments on the new MTG-I1 satellite currently in commissioning. These early data hold great promise particularly for nowcasting, NWP, and fire applications due to their much-improved resolution and novel capability, such as continuous space-based lightning mapping over Europe and Africa. The paper also describes applications that will benefit from the next-generation polar orbiting fleet EPS-SG as well as the EPS-Sterna (MW sounding constellation) and EPS-Aeolus (Doppler wind lidar). The Sentinel satellites are a key component of the Copernicus program, operated by EUMETSAT on behalf of the European Commission.

S1-08: Recent updates of IMD satellite program (Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, IMD) (Pre-recording)

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (IMD) presented satellite application services to the South Asia and North Indian Ocean Region of IMD. INSAT-3DS is planned to be launched in the first quarter, 2024 with many improvements to mitigate the issues related to the blackbody calibration and mid-night sunintrusion. The products derived from polar orbiting satellite (Oceansat-3, launched on 26 November2022) and other International satellites like ASCAT, NOAA, DMSP, SSM/I, ATMS and CIRA etc. are also utilized in many applications of Ocean, Atmosphere, Land and Cryosphere. Therefore to mitigate such challenging steps being taken by India to launch GISAT-2 and INSAT 4th Generation satellite with advanced capabilities improved resolution sensors.

Session 1-2: Satellite Activities and Data Exchange

Chair: James Purdom (ICSC), Dohyeong Kim (KMA)

S1-09: FENGYUN Satellite Data Access Update and Application Services (Wei Zheng, NSMC/CMA)

Lin Tian (NSMC/CMA) introduced the data policy of FENGYUN satellite data, the status and future plan of the FENGYUN satellite data distribution and services. For real-time users, FENGYUN satellite data can be accessed via a direct broadcasting station, CMA data broadcasting system (CMACast) and public cloud. For non-real-time users, FENGYUN satellite data can be accessed from the FENGYUN satellite data center website, downloading toolkits and offline data services. For emergency users, FENGYUN satellite emergency support mechanism（FY_ESM）is useful to NMSs. The software platform of FENGYUN Earth is provided to the international user for enhancing FENGYUN satellite data application this year.

S1-10: Data dissemination and distribution of Himawari-8/9 and RSMC Tokyo for Nowcasting (Reiko HARADA, JMA)

Reiki HARADA (JMA) presented an overview of Himawari–8/9 data dissemination and distribution. Furthermore, the status and outlook of RSMC Tokyo for Nowcasting was introduced.

S1-11: Satellite activities at the Bureau of Meteorology (Agnes Lane, BoM)

Agnes Lane (BoM) presented an overview of satellite activities in the Bureau, including new services being developed to address user needs, opportunities offered by new generation satellites, how the Bureau is responding to the growth and momentum in the Australian space sector, and opportunities all these offers for strengthening international partnerships.

S1-12: International Data Exchange and the transition to WMO's WIS 2.0 (Simon Elliott, EUMETSAT)

Simon Elliott (EUMETSAT) introduced WMO’s next generation information system (WIS 2.0) In the coming years. This brings with it a change of paradigm for both data providers and consumers; it also presents a number of opportunities for the meteorological satellite user community. The concepts and overall architecture of WIS 2.0 are introduced, together with a description of the successful early use of WIS 2.0 to demonstrate the exchange of hyperspectral sounder and geostationary imager data.

S1-13: International Cooperation Expands Data, Products, and Services Available to Users (Andersen Garcia, Melissa, NOAA/NESDIS)

Andersen Garcia, Melissa (NOAA/NESDIS) provided an overview of NOAA’s evolving model, including how we leverage our many international partnerships to meet the data, product, and services needs of the users. We will focus on both bilateral partnerships and cooperation within international fora, such as the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), Group on Earth Observations (GEO), and Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS).

S1-14: WMO Space-based Weather and Climate Extremes Monitoring (SWCEM) for East Asia and Western Pacific (Toshiyuki Kurino, JAXA)

Toshiyuki Kurino (JAXA) presented a recognizing need to better utilize and improve monitoring of weather and climate extremes from space, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) established a flagship initiative - the Space-based Weather and Climate Extremes Monitoring (SWCEM). The demonstration project was focused on monitoring drought and heavy precipitation and it was implemented in the geographical domain which covers the South-East Asia region and the Western

Private Sector Introduction

Three companies took the end of the first-day conference to promote their products ranging from 1) KAIRO Space developed and delivered 3U to 16U small satellites to observe GHG. Nara Space Technology delivered a satellite image application service that provides 1) Easy access to satellite image data, 2) a friendly user interface, and 3) Insight for rapid decision-making. KAI reported its satellite development capabilities and Meteorological satellite development strategies.

Session 2: Application for Weather Analysis and Nowcasting (I)

Chair: Douglas Howard (NOAA), Jiyoung Kim (KMA)

S2-01: Quantitative Applications of Geostationary Weather Satellite Data for Nowcasting – Recent Progress and Challenges (Jun LI, NSMC/CMA)

Jun Li (CMA) presented quantitative applications of geostationary weather satellite data for nowcasting. With advanced high-resolution imaging and sounding data from satellites, the nowcasting capability is enhanced by combining radar, satellite, and other data. Quantitative applications for nowcasting are advanced through AI/ML. The applications help to monitor location, impact area, intensity, water vapor, atmospheric instability, precipitation, physical and optical properties of the severe storm, identify storm types, and predict the occurrence and evolution of the storm.

S2-02: Development of a new Fundamental Cloud Product derived from Himawari-8/-9 (Yurika Yamada, MSC/JMA)

Yamada et al. (JMA) presented about development of a new fundamental cloud product derived from Himawari-8/-9. JMA/MSC is currently developing a new FCP and plans to introduce two new algorithms to enhance FCP. One is the CLoud and Aerosol Unbiased Decision Intellectual Algorithm-3 (CLAUDIA3) The other is the Optimal Cloud Analysis (OCA) to derive popular cloud properties such as cloud optical depth. By exploiting the multi spectral observational characteristics of Himawari-8/-9, OCA can derive various cloud properties based on the variational principle.

S2-04: Application of Water Vapor Imagery and AMVs of GK2A during Typhoon Turning Track (Junghoon Son, NMSC/KMA)

Son et al. (KMA) presented about application of water vapor imagery and AMVs of GK2A during typhoon turning track. Recent typhoon paths affecting South Korea have become more diverse. This study selected three typhoon cases exhibiting a southward movement trend, deviating from the typical northwest-to-northeast trajectory. The study analyzed the synoptic conditions around the typhoons, including the positions of anticyclones. A comparison of 7.3μm water vapor imagery with GK2A with Atmospheric Motion Vector data was done. Utilization of 7.3μm water vapor imagery and AMV data is expected to support typhoon track prediction by allowing for early identification of differences between real conditions and NWP products.

S2-05: Integration of Himawari 9 and GK2A Satellite Derived Products for Monitoring and Nowcasting the Severe Weather Condition in Indonesia (Bony Septian Pandjaitan, BMKG)

Bony Pandjaitan (BMKG) presented about integration of Himawari 9 and GK2A satellite derived products for monitoring and nowcasting the severe weather conditions in Indonesia. BMKG has been developing a derivative integration product from the Himawari 9 and GK2A satellites in the form of rain estimation and detection of the Overshooting top (OT) of convective clouds in the region of Indonesia. It can be used to monitor areas of significant rain that have high confidence detected from satellites. The convective cloud OT detection integration product from Himawari 9 and GK2A is used to guide weather forecasters for nowcasting areas where severe weather conditions will occur.

S2-06: Cloud Types and Cloud Phase Products of Fengyun Satellite (Bo Li, NSMC/CMA)

Bo Li (CMA) presented about cloud types and cloud phase products of Fengyun Satellite. New generation of Fengyun polar orbit and geostationary meteorological satellite cloud phase inversion algorithm has been developed in China. At present, the Fengyun 4 geostationary meteorological satellite can provide cloud types and phase products of 4km, 5 minutes (in the Chinese region), and 15 minutes (in the full disk). The Fengyun 3 polar orbit meteorological satellite can provide cloud types and phase products of 1km (in the 5-minute segment), 0.05 ° (global daily synthesis).

Session 2: Application for Weather Analysis and Nowcasting (II)

Chair: Kotaro Bessho (JMA), Jiyoung Kim (KMA)

S2-07: Parallax Correction of Cumulonimbus Clouds in Extreme Weather Events (ANA OKTAVIA SETIOWATI, BMKG)

Ana Setiowati (BMKG) presented about parallax correction of cumulonimbus clouds in extreme weather events. Parallax correction is needed to determine the actual position of the clouds in the Himawari satellite image. This study focused on parallax correction of Cumulonimbus (CB) clouds that often cause extreme weather, especially heavy rain. Cumulonimbus cloud parallax correction is done by using 2 methods. The result of parallax correction calculations using two methods basically is not much different, with advantages in the correction method using the surface temperature IFS model.

S2-08: Experimental use of satellite data for automatic detection of volcanic eruptions (TANG Wai-ho, HKO)

Wai-ho Tang et al. (HKO) presented about experimental use of satellite data for automatic detection of volcanic eruptions. HKO has developed an experimental algorithm for automatic detection of volcanic eruption using Himawari-9 satellite channel 7 (3.9μm), channel 13 (10.4μm), and channel 15 (12.4μm) data. NBTDI values were calculated to indicate the potential existence of volcanic hotspots. BTD between channels 13 and 15 was computed to identify if there would be volcanic ash clouds. For a particular volcano, NBTDI and BTD values covering a spatial extent of 100km x 100km with the volcano at the centre were determined for assessing the possibility of a volcanic eruption. Preliminary results based on the eruption of the Mayon volcano in June 2023 showed signs of precursor which was useful to alert aviation forecasters for heightened volcanic watch.

S2-10: Estimation of atmospheric vertical profiles using FY-4B/GIIRS (Byung-il Lee, NMSC/KMA)

Byung-il Lee (KMA) presented about Estimate of atmospheric vertical information using FY-4B/GIIRS. The National Meteorological Satellite Center, Korea Meteorological Administration (NMSC/KMA) has developed an algorithm to retrieve the atmospheric profiles for Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) onboard FengYun-4A/B (FY-4A/B) for monitoring atmospheric instability and water vapor information. To develop the algorithm for GIIRS of FY-4A/B, channel selection, and systematic bias correction were performed. There were some comments from the audience that the accuracy of the product would improve if more sounder channels were used.

S2-12: The utilization of satellite data in the TMD (PRAPAPORN WONGSAMING, Thai Meteorological Department)

Prapaporn Wongsaming (TMD) presented about the utilization of satellite data in the TMD. For both nowcasting and short-term weather forecasting applications, Himawari8/9 satellite data is very useful for weather forecasting and hydrological early warning systems in Thailand. In particular, heavy to very heavy rainfall is caused by convective cloud formation or from low-pressure cells over vulnerable areas of the country. During the tropical cyclone period, Himawari 8/9 satellite data is also being used for monitoring and analyzing storm centers.

Session 2: Application for Weather Analysis and Nowcasting (III)

Chair: Fuzhong Weng (Nanjing Univ.), Jinho Shin (KMA)

This session (S2-13 to S2-19) was presented with various subjects about retrieval algorithm of cloud properties and its results from hyper-infrared sensors, introduction of GEO and LEO software package, and introduction of 3-dimensional service combined GEO and LEO for aviation utilization from CIRA. Since temperature and humidity profiles from NOAA and CMA LEO MW sensors help to understand microphysics and the evolution of tropical cyclones, a comprehensive presentation in this session was remarked.

S2-13: Retrieval of Temperature Profiles in Tropical Cyclones from Resampled Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder Observations (Fuzhong Weng, Nanjing University of Information Sciences and Technology)

Fuzhong Weng (Nanjing University of Information Sciences and Technology) presented about the Retrieval of Temperature Profiles in Tropical Cyclones from Resampled Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder Observations having three algorithms: including Backus-Gilbert Inversion (BGI), ATOVS and AVHRR Pre-processing Package (AAPP) and N×N field-of-views (FOVs) average algorithms.

S2-15: Satellite-derived Flood Product Analysis to support Impact-based Forecast (IBF) and Warning Services (Rion S. Salman, BMKG)

Rion S. Salman (BMKG) presented about Satellite-derived Flood Product Analysis to support Impact-based Forecast (IBF) and Warning Services. A viable solution is using Satellite-derived Flood Product to support Impact-based Forecasts (IBF) and warning services products. Flood products have many options to provide reliable flood conditions based on spatial and temporal analysis.

S2-18: Characteristic analysis of the Mesoscale Convective System phenomenon in extreme rainfall events in tropical island regions (Ambon Island) (Puput Mustika Pasaribu, BMKG) withdraw

Puput Mustika Pasaribu (BMKG) presented about Characteristic analysis of the Mesoscale Convective System phenomenon in extreme rainfall events in tropical island regions (Ambon Island). This research was conducted to analyze the Mesoscale Convective System that is clearly visible based on Himawari-9 IR channel satellite imagery data that occurs during extreme rainfall periods. From the satellite image data, the MCS area, characteristics and MCS lifetime are known for 7 hours from the formation phase to dissipation based on the time series of cloud top temperature brightness which reaches -700C. At the end of the study, an analysis of the atmospheric conditions that triggered the event was carried out using WRF model output data with a data density of 10 km.

S2-19: Construction of Unified Global 3D Cloud Fields Combining Multiple Satellite Products and AI/ML-Derived Environmental Data (Yoo-Jeong Noh, Colorado State University/NOAA CIRA)

Y. J. Noh et al (Colorado State University/NOAA CIRA) presented about the Construction of Unified Global 3D Cloud Fields Combining Multiple Satellite Products and AI/ML-Derived Environmental Data. To make global cloud data development activities such as the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Product—Next Generation (ISCCP-NG) in parallel, they are now extending our work to generate global 3D cloud fields by applying cloud retrieval algorithms to multiple sensors onboard both geostationary and polar satellites.

Session 2: Application for Weather Analysis and Nowcasting (IV)

Chair: Nelly Florida Riama (BMKG), Jinho Shin (KMA)

This session (S2-20 to S2-26) was presented mainly with some subjects about the introduction of GEO and LEO software packages and activities of virtual laboratory(VLAB) CoE form Indonesia and Australia etc. The free software released from CIMSS can encourage many researchers, forecasters, and private sectors to access complex satellite data, extract them, and display them visually. Indonesia and Australia have cooperated to make wide and deep education of utilization of satellite with WMO Vlab CoE group since 2013 and reaching out RA II and V nations.

S2-20: CSPP Geo: Free Software for creating products from Himawari and GOES-R satellites (Jessica Braun, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Jessica Braun et al (University of Wisconsin-Madison) presented about Community Satellite Processing Package for Geostationary satellites (CSPP Geo). The CSPP Geo project creates free software to process data directly from the GOES-R series and other geostationary satellites, including Himawari-8/9 which are available for users interested in creating a suite of Level 2 products from the AHI on Himawari-8/9 as well as the ABI and Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) from all GOES-R series instruments.

S2-21: The Community Satellite Processing Package (CSPP): Supporting the Use of Near-Real-Time Polar Orbiter Satellite Data (Kathleen Strabala, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Kathleen Strabala et al (University of Wisconsin-Madison) presented The Community Satellite Processing Package (CSPP): Supporting the Use of Near-Real-Time Polar Orbiter Satellite Data. NOAA sponsors the CSPP in support of global direct broadcast users.

S2-22: Satellite Meteorology Training in WMO RA V during 2022/2023: The Australian VLab Centre of Excellence experience (Bodo Zeschke, BMTC)

Bodo Zeschke (BMTC) presented about activities of Satellite Meteorology Training in WMO RA V during 2022/2023: The Australian VLab Centre of Excellence experience (CoE). Relevant topics include dissemination of the latest developments in effectively utilizing regional geostationary satellite data and polar orbiting satellite data and associated resources within WMO RA V and adjacent regions.

S2-23: Establishment of WMO RA V Virtual Laboratory (VLab) for Meteorological Satellite Education and Training Center of Excellence (CoE) in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities (Nelly Florida Riama, BMTC)

Nelly Florida Riama et al (BMKG) presented about the Establishment of WMO RA V VLab for Meteorological Satellite Education and CoE in Indonesia. For countries in the South-West Pacific region are confronted with the formidable task of acquiring knowledge and technical expertise. It is necessary to extract actionable insights from meteorological satellite information.

S2-24: Visible Bands Simulation of Advanced Meteorological Imager onboard GEO-KOMPSAT-2A Using Its Infrared Bands (Kyung-Hoon Han, Sejong University)

Kyung-Hoon Han et al (Sejong University) presented about Visible Bands Simulation of Advanced Meteorological Imager onboard GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK-2A) using Its Infrared Bands. The aim is to generate virtual daytime and nighttime RGB images using data from the advanced meteorological imager (AMI) sensor aboard the GK-2A satellite.

S2-25: Equivalent cloud property retrieval algorithm based on the FengYun-4 Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) (You Zhao, Nanjing University)

You Zhao et al (Nanjing University) presented about Equivalent cloud property retrievals algorithm based on the FengYun-4 Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS). In order to reduce the influence of cloud heterogeneity in GIIRS observation field (16 km) on cloud parameter retrieval, we proposed to construct GIIRS cloud parameter retrieval algorithm using Radiative Transfer for TOVS (RTTOV) to obtain equivalent cloud parameters.

S2-26: Studying the Characteristics of Warm Clouds in Thailand under the ENSO Pattern using CFODD (Panuwong Wongnim, Tokai University)

Panuwong Wongnim (Tokai University) presented about the relationship between the ENSO pattern and the internal structure of warm weather systems in Thailand under the ENSO Pattern using the Contoured Frequency by Optical Depth Diagram (CFODD) technique, employing data from the Aqua satellite's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the CloudSat satellite's Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR).

Session 3: Application for Numerical Weather Prediction (I)

Chair: Jun Li (CMA), Byung-Il Lee (KMA)

S3-01 : Satellite Radiance Data Assimilation at Korea Meteorological Administration (Hyoung-Wook Chun, KMA, Numerical Modeling Center)

Hyoung Wook Chun et al. (KMA) presented aobout Satellite Radiance Data Assimilation on the Korean Integrated Model (KIM). The study analyzed the impact of microwave and infrared satellite radiation data on the KIM, finding that microwaves significantly improved global 500 hPa temperature analysis and 5-day forecasts but caused a decline in tropical 250 hPa temperature, while infrared waves showed modest improvements in the analysis field and neutral effects on the 5-day forecast in KIM.

S3-02 : Assimilation of NOAA-21/ATMS and CrIS in the JMA’s NWP systems (Tomoya Urata, JMA)

Tomoya Urata (JMA) presented about Assimilation of NOAA-21/ATMS and CrIS in the Japan Meteorological Agency’s NWP systems. The JMA plans to incorporate data from the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) and Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) on NOAA-21 into its Numerical Weather Prediction systems in March 2024, with preliminary experiments indicating that the data quality from NOAA-21 is similar to or slightly better than previous satellites, showing improvements in initial and forecast fields, particularly in the tropics.

S3-03 : Satellite use in Bureau of Meteorology modelling and analysis products (Robert Pipunic, Bureau of Meteorology)

Robert Pipunic (BOM) presented about Satellite use in Bureau of Meteorology modelling and analysis products. The BOM utilizes satellite data extensively in its global Numerical Weather Prediction model, contributing to improved forecast accuracy for Australia's weather service, and also employs it in operational ocean and landscape water balance modeling and observation analysis products, with this presentation providing an overview of current and upcoming satellite data applications and their impact on forecast skill.

S3-04 : Regional NWP model for Prediction of Adverse Weather Conditions and Nowcasting (SOWNAL CHAND, FIJI METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES)

Sownal Chand (FIJI METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES) presented about Regional NWP model for Prediction of Adverse Weather Conditions and Nowcasting. The evolution of numerical weather prediction and artificial intelligence has significantly improved forecasting globally and in developed countries, but there remain limitations in accurately predicting the intensity and onset of adverse weather events in small and developing countries; therefore, Fiji Metservice proposes the development of a regional weather analysis and nowcasting model to provide more accurate early warnings and assist in disaster preparedness for these vulnerable islands.

S3-05 : Spaceborne passive microwave sounding for ABL (Jieying HE, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Jieying He (Chinese Academy of Sciences) presented about Spaceborne passive microwave sounding for Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL). This study explores the potential of satellite-borne microwave radiometers for detecting the ABL and proposes a design scheme to enhance sensitivity, vertical resolution, and all-weather meteorological information for improved weather forecasting and climate prediction, with a focus on understanding ABL's impact on ecosystems and weather-related disasters.

S3-06 : Concerns in the diurnal variations of ECMWF ERA5 SST (Byung-Ju Sohn, Seoul National University)

B. J. Sohn (SNU) presented about concerns in the diurnal variations of ECMWF ERA5 SST. The study highlights concerns about the reliability of ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis data for sea surface temperature (SSTint), pointing out inconsistencies in spatial transitions and hourly variations, attributed to typographical errors in the ocean boundary layer model formulation; after revising the model, the diurnal variations of SSTint showed excellent agreement with buoy-observed SSTs, suggesting potential improvements for weather forecasting and climate simulations.

S3-07 : A Pre-processing Method for Assimilation of Microwave Sounder Observations over Winter Sea Ice for Numerical Weather Prediction (Ji-Soo Kim, Ewha Womans University)

Ji Soo Kim (Ewha Womans Univ.) presented about a pre-processing method for assimilation of microwave sounder observations over winter sea ice for Numerical Weather Prediction. This study introduces a pre-processing method to improve the assimilation of near-surface microwave sounder observations over winter sea ice in numerical weather prediction systems, which involves estimating apparent sea ice emissivity, correcting biases, and shows that this approach effectively reduces temperature analysis errors from near-surface to 500 hPa.

S3-08 : Refining temperature profile from GEO-KOMPSAT-2A using ERA5 reanalysis data and a light gradient boosting machine over East Asia (Daehyeon Han, UNIST)

Daehyeon Han (UNIST) presented about refining temperature profile from GEOKOMPSAT-2A (GK-2A) using ERA5 reanalysis data and a light gradient boosting machine over East Asia. The article discusses how GK-2A uses numerical weather prediction and bias correction to provide temperature profiles, and it explores further refinements using ERA5 reanalysis data and a machine learning approach (LGBM) to generate ERA5-like temperature profiles for operational use.

S3-09 : A polarized adding-doubling radiative transfer model for simulating multi-layer scattering atmospheres (Yuxiang Ling,, Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters/China)

Yuxiang Ling (Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters/China) presented about a polarized adding-doubling radiative transfer model for simulating multi-layer scattering atmospheres. This study presents an accurate and efficient model for solving polarization in multi-layer scattering atmospheres, utilizing machine learning techniques based on the Adding-doubling method, which can provide precise polarization information for various atmospheric conditions, including multi-layer cloudy atmospheres, with the potential for further efficiency improvements to meet satellite retrieval and other application needs.

Session 3: Application for Numerical Weather Prediction (II)

Chair: B.J. Sohn (Seoul National Univ.), Byung-Il Lee (KMA)

Application for Numerical Weather Prediction (II) chaired by B.J. Sohn and Byung-Il Lee. In this session, focussing on the satellite data assimilation in the numerical weather prediction, there were four papers presented. B.J. Sohn reported unrealistic features found in newly available ERA5 hourly SST variations and demonstrated that those unrealistic features can be corrected with the revised ocean boundary layer model. Another data assimilation paper presented by Jisoo Kim focused on the use of microwave surface-sensitive channels for the assimilation in the polar regions, based on the use of so-called the “dynamic method”. Some improvements in the forecasts were reported. Another interesting paper presented by Yuxiang Ling was about the radiative transfer model development for polarized microwaves. Potential applications are expected. Another paper is about ML application for refined temperature profiles from GK-2A (Dr. D. Han). We believe that important progresses on the satellite data assimilation were reported and shared among participants.

Session 4 : AI/ML in Satellite Date Processing

Chair: Allen Huang (CIMSS), JaeYoung Byon (KMA)

Various AI/ML techniques and models are used to demonstrate

4.1 Enhanced local weather forecast (S4-01); where wind energy production forecasts accuracy is significantly improved by 20% to 30% for Texas wind farms using various AI/ML models to achieve assemble forecasts with additional final AI/ML used as the post-processing to further improve augmented forecast.

4.2 GK2A and AMI Data Assimilation approach using AI/ML(S4-02) improves KIM forecast by 10%

4.3 KAIST presents a machine learning-based system to search for similar weather events in SITS (S4-03) to improve the vast volume of data usage and compresses SITS into concise information.

4.4 Doyi Kim represents Ye-Ji Choi and others (SI Analytics) present the use of a deep learning model to generate weather radar images derived from geostationary weather satellite images. This approach has shown an accuracy of 5.37 mm/h with an RMSE of 0.79.

4.5 Min-Seok Kim et al. (Yonsei University) presents a data fusion of aerosol optical depth (AOD) with GEO-KOMPSAT datasets using both statistical and deep neural network-based methods. The DNN-based fusion method demonstrates better performance in estimating high aerosol loading

4.6 Sun-Ju Lee et al. (SI Analytics) presented a super-resolution GAN-based model using GK2A imagery with low resolution but superior temporal resolution and Sentinel and Landsat imagery with a better spatial resolution. They also tested the super-resolution technique using GK2B satellite data with better spatial resolution in the same observation area.

4.7 Hye-Sook Lee et al. (NIMS/KMA) present a deep-learning (DL)-based data-to-data (D2D) translation framework to simulate a radar-like retrieval of rainfall rates (RRs) and its advantages to applying DL-based precipitation nowcasting model. The D2D model exhibited excellent performance compared to the GK2A RR, PERSIANN-CCS, and IMERG data and can provide radar-like rainfall intensity and distribution data and high temporal resolution rainfall information without the radar observations.

4.8 Richard Mahendra Putra (Indonesia Agency for Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics) presents a product that automatically detects the distribution of volcanic ash by the Himawari 8 satellite using artificial intelligence models. The Automatic products can immediately distinguish whether volcanic ash or not.

Session 5: Application for Land Surface and Sea Surface Derived from Satellite Observations (I)

Chair: Agnes Lane (BoM), JaeYoung Byon (KMA)

A diverse session, covering topics such as techniques for retrieving surface albedo, the use of satellite observations for weather and climate in the Antarctic, lightning observations and probabilities, the use of Sentinel-3 for river monitoring, and innovative machine learning products for forecasters.

Jongho Woo described research at Pukyong National University exploring the accuracy and differences between COMS and GK-2A surface albedo products. Machine Learning techniques were used to develop high-quality products that can be used to understand global climate and environmental changes. Scott Lindstrom described two lightning products that can be used where there are no lightning observations from geostationary satellites. Lightning observations from the International Space Station compare well with ground observations but there can be false positives. Another product is LightningCast which predicts the likelihood for lightning based on 4 bands from the ABI sensor and provides useful information for forecasters. Agnes Lane talked about the importance of satellite observations of the Antarctic, noting that it is a data-sparse region. Satellite observations are critical for supporting services that ensure the safety of mariners in the Southern Ocean, and for understanding climate change. Nurlan Abayev from the National Hydrometeorological Service of Kazakhstan described the use of Sentinel-2 observations for masking shoals to estimate river water levels. Xiaochun Zhai described the use of FY-3 MWRI for sea ice concentration and FY-3E WindRAD for sea ice edge and type and their value for climate science and also for operational use. Kijung Shin (KAIST) described a machine learning technique for quickly searching past satellite data to find similarities in weather patterns, potentially as a complementary input in regions where weather patterns have similar outcomes.

Session 5: Application for Land Surface and Sea Surface Derived from Satellite Observations (II)

Chair: Stephan Bojinski (EUMETSAT), JaeYoung Byon (KMA)

This part of session 5 probed the use of multi-spectral satellite imagery in the context of land surface analysis (temperature, vegetation), greenhouse gas concentration monitoring, and monsoon pattern variability. Jieun Wieh (Jeonbuk National University) investigated the North Pacific high activity and its connection to the East Asian summer monsoon using Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis for GK-2A satellite-derived cloud amount and precipitation products. Comparisons with ERA5 show that such products can be used to study variability of East Asian summer monsoon and North Pacific pressure variability. Yuanyuan Wang (NSMC/CMA) presented on global vegetation phenology (Start of Season, End of Season, Length of Season) using the FY3D/MERSI-II NDVI time series. Extracting phenological metrics is dependent on land cover and shows systematic differences between MERSI-II products and the equivalent VIIRS and MODIS (VIP) products, for the period May 2019 until December 2022. No climate data record or equivalent longer record was used (e.g., from Meteosat).

Kazuhito Ichii (Chiba University) applied AHI imagery to phenology detection for three parameters: phenology detection using NDVI using short composite time series; tropical forest NDVI detection benefitting from frequent geostationary coverage in cloudy conditions (Indonesia); and calculation of diurnal temperature range (DTR) for early detection of vegetation drought stress. He has launched the international GEOLAND-NET JSPS project (https://ceres.chiba-u.jp/geoland/) to advance use of geostationary imagery for vegetation monitoring. Recognising the breadth of new areas of study and application, satellite operators in CGMS should promote this use case. A GEO-ring based climate data record has been produced for albedo (black sky). Indonesia showed interest in joining the project. Together with greenhouse gas concentration measurements and inversion models, this work can indirectly support the detecting of carbon sources and sinks.

Yashar Falamarzi (CRI/RIMAS Iran) derived gridded land surface temperature maps at 1km resolution from MODIS temperature profiles to fill the large gaps in surface air temperature measurements in the country, and to refine the resolution limits of ERA-5 reanalysis (25km). This information is important to inform agriculture and water resource management. Temperature lapse rate is used to calculate proxy (near) surface temperature using a DEM, plus surface based temperature data, per climate region. Sources of uncertainty are: LST is not air temperature, effects of land cover. A multi-year dataset would remove uncertainties.

Heejun Park (KMA/NSMC) started collecting and analysing satellite-based GHG retrievals (GOSAT, OCO2), and first compared them with 4 regional GAW and TCCON sites in Korea. To understand the impact of carbon absorption of vegetation, the correlation between CO2 concentration retrievals and SIF (Solar Induced Fluorescence) was analysed for five countries in East Asia. Correlations are a strong function of forest cover, with overall more absorption of CO2 in forested areas. Indonesia expressed interest in being added to these analyses over their country. It was noted that comparisons with TCCON sites are not independent since those measurements are used in the GOSAT retrievals. Adding an inversion model would help turn concentrations into fluxes and thus better understand the distribution of carbon sources and sinks.

Session 6: Space Weather

Chair: Sung-Hong Park (KASI), Daehyeon Oh (KMA)

Space Weather highlighted 4 speakers that identified key themes including the impacts of lower atmosphere dynamics on the ionosphere during strong space weather events, satellite-based space weather monitoring, and predicting solar flares with a deep learning model.

In the first presentation, In-Sung Song (Yonsei University) presented global whole-atmospheric simulations targeted for the geomagnetic storm day on 2010-Apr-05. The simulations show that the storm day can be generally well predicted with a leading time of 1-2 days in the context of various properties in the ionosphere. There were questions about the capability of the simulations for the space weather impacts on LEO satellites. The presenter explained that such WACCM-X simulations could be used for estimating any impacts on LEO satellites, for example, due to variations of neutral density at altitudes up to ~500 km. In the second presentation, Tsutomu Nagatsuma (NICT) presented the early and current status of space weather observations in Japan. The presenter also introduced their plan and challenges, emphasizing the need for more accurate now- and forecast. Since it was a pre-recorded presentation, there was no question and comment time. In the third presentation, Sung-Hong Park (KASI) focused on the KASI’s ongoing studies to understand and predict solar. The presenter emphasized the importance of using large datasets obtained with persistent observations from space and recent techniques of data science (such as deep learning) and suggests that an international-community-wide effort is required to efficiently design and develop the database and future space missions such as an L4 mission under study by KASI for its feasibility. One of the audience members asked if the deep learning models mentioned by the speaker could be used to predict the probability or magnitude of a CME following a flare, and the answer was that it is possible when used in conjunction with CME simulations, but there are still many challenges. In the last presentation, Daehyeon Oh (NMSC/KMA) presented the history of quality improvement of the GK2A/KSEM PD electron flux data and discussed the results of the intercomparison analysis with the GOES-16 MPS-HI data over the last two years and its relation to magnetic fields and satellite charging. An audience member asked if there was anything aviation part should be concerned about during a strong space weather event, and the presenter replied that they should be careful about radiation exposure on high-altitude routes.

These presentations showed that research and attempts to understand space weather phenomena are being conducted from various perspectives and methods. They underscore the importance of monitoring and understanding space weather phenomena to predict and forecast space weather events and their affection on Earth.

Session 7: Performance and Calibration of Satellite Instruments

Chair: Natalia Donoho (WMO), Sung-Rae Chung (KMA)

Performance and Calibration of Satellite Instruments had 4 speakers who presented key themes including trend analysis based on ray-matching for level 1b products of AMI/GK-2A and GEMS/GK-2B, cloud-target calibration for Fengyun-3D MERSI-II solar reflectance bands: model development and instrument stability, validation of AHI on Himawari-8/-9 in L1 products, and a preliminary study using PCA for Himawari-10. Also, the shortwave infrared polarization multi-angle imager (PMAI) onboard Fengyun-3 precipitation satellite for enhanced cloud characterization was discussed.

In the first presentation, Yeeun Lee (Ewha Womans University) presented a trend analysis based on ray-Matching of AMI/GK-2A and GEMS/GK-2B. The comparison results show that this method can be employed further to improve inter-calibration with a reference sensor in the GSICS. In the second presentation, Chao Liu (Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology) presented the results of Cloud-Target Calibration for Fengyun-3D MERSI-II Solar Reflectance Bands. The Cloud-Target calibration method can be applied to future MERSI-II sensors to monitor solar band stability. In the third presentation, Shiho Naiki (MSC/JMA) presented the image navigation correction and the radiometric calibration performances of Himawari-9/AHI, and the capability of principal component analysis (PCA) for future Himawari-10 IR sounder data application for numerical weather prediction through the validation of radiances reconstructed from principal components using simulation data and CrIS observation data, significantly reducing the noise compared to the original radiances. In the fourth presentation, Haofei Wang (NSMC/CMA) presented the multi-angle polarization measurement of the new SWIR channel onboard Fengyun-3, which can optimize cloud phase state identification and cloud microphysical parameter inversion.

Comments from the audience emphasized that the radiometric calibration performance of a series of satellite missions is important for climate change analysis. Therefore, the study results from academia should be discussed with the satellite operator and manufacturer to solve the corresponding

Presentations from at AOMSUC-13 Conference may be downloaded via the following link: https://nmsc.kma.go.kr/enhome/html/conference/AOMSUC_2023.do

Selected photos taken during AOMSUC-13 via the following link: https://nmsc.kma.go.kr/enhome/html/conference/AOMSUC_2023.do