Cloud Analysis Workshop

When:   Sep 1-3, 2009

Where: NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research). Boulder, Colorado

What:  The workshop will focus on cloud analysis efforts; evaluate the state-of-the-science, synergies, and collaborations; formulate a research roadmap.

Workshop Goals:

-      Communicate results, ideas, and future directions for advanced cloud analysis.

-      Identify best practices and collaborations that could be fostered between cloud analysis efforts.

-      Understand and discuss improvements towards achieving our cloud analysis goals.

Web Site: http://www.mmm.ucar.edu/events/09_clouds for logistics and registration (deadline for abstracts: July 31st, 2009)

Contact:  If you would like additional information or have questions, please contact Thomas Auligne (NCAR/MMM) or Andy Jones (CSU/CIRA).

Workshop Summary

The Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) has started a new effort to build an integrated AFWA Coupled Analysis and Prediction System (ACAPS). This capability will build upon and eventually replace AFWA's existing capabilities represented by the Cloud Depiction and Forecast System (CDFS-II) for operational users. ACAPS will represent a significant improvement and redesign requiring state-of-the-art cloud analysis capabilities to include hydrometeors in the assimilation.

In 2005, an "International Workshop on the Assimilation of Satellite-Observed Cloud and Precipitation Observations" was held at Lansdowne, VA (http://www.jcsda.noaa.gov/satellitecloud2005.php). Significant progress has been demonstrated by the community in the past four years. This workshop will continue the scientific dialog and it will focus on building a roadmap toward realization of cloud analysis systems for operational use. This will include short-term, as well as long-term research objectives that are necessary to support the ACAPS goals. Collaboration discussions with other on-going or planned cloud analysis efforts are especially encouraged.

The following topics will be addressed through reviews and presentations:

1- Advanced and High-Resolution Data Assimilation techniques

2- Linearization for cloud analysis

3- Current cloud analysis systems

4- Microphysics and cloud analysis

5- Cloud prediction skills and verification

6- Current and future cloud and precipitation observing systems and choice of observables

7- Practical processing of cloud observations

8- Cloud control variable

9- Model Error at convective scales