JOINT-ASSIMILATION

"Joint assimilation of satellite aerosol, cloud, and precipitation observations in numerical models to support climate and hydrologic applications"

Coordinatore	HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH    more  Organization address address: 46,7th avenue Athens-Sounio, (Mavro Lithari) city: ANAVISSOS ATTIKI postcode: 19013 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Emmanouil Cognome: Anagnostou Email: send email Telefono: +30 22910 76399 Fax: +30 22910 76323
Nazionalità Coordinatore	Greece [EL]
Totale costo	100˙000 €
EC contributo	100˙000 €
Programma	FP7-PEOPLE Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
Code Call	FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG
Funding Scheme	MC-IRG
Anno di inizio	2008
Periodo (anno-mese-giorno)	2008-05-01   -   2012-04-30

 Partecipanti

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH  Organization address address: 46,7th avenue Athens-Sounio, (Mavro Lithari) city: ANAVISSOS ATTIKI postcode: 19013 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Emmanouil Cognome: Anagnostou Email: send email Telefono: +30 22910 76399 Fax: +30 22910 76323	EL (ANAVISSOS ATTIKI)	coordinator	0.00

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Clouds and their interaction with radiation represent one of the largest uncertainty in climate and weather prediction. This is because clouds result from processes and depend on variables such as aerosols that have not comprehensively observed until recently. The advent of the satellite technology made possible the continuous monitoring of clouds and related variables from space. Our primary research objective is the use of existing satellite aerosol, cloud and precipitation observations to gain insight into cloud processes and their impact on climate and weather. Specifically we intend to assimilate satellite observations into a state of the art cloud-resolving atmospheric model. This will facilitate a better analysis of the interaction between clouds and large scale processes and allow for the development of better cloud microphysical schemes. Based on the analysis, the impact of aerosol of climate and weather will be rigorously assessed. The project will also facilitate the re-integration of Dr. Mircea Grecu into an European Research Institution. The Hellenic Center for Marine Research is commited to support this re-integration by offering Dr. Grecu a four-year long appointment.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Clouds have been studied as part of an EU-research project that has developed an improved model for weather forecasts.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Interaction between clouds, aerosols and solar radiation from the sun in the form of heat and light is a major source of uncertainty in predicting weather and climate conditions. Clouds can be affected by a range of factors including aerosols, which are fine solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere.

Thanks to satellite technology it is possible to monitor clouds continuously from space. Researchers from the Joint-assimilation project have used existing satellite data on aerosols, clouds and precipitation to gain greater insights into cloud processes. The information has been applied to a state-of-the-art weather research and forecasting (WRF) model.

The model has enabled better analysis of the interaction between clouds and large-scale processes and improved ways of studying cloud structures and their properties. The impact of aerosols on climate and weather has also been assessed using this analysis.

Integration of microwave brightness data into the model has increased the accuracy of precipitation forecasts for up to two hours, but made only a minor difference to long-term forecasts. This is because variables such as winds, relative humidity and temperature can not be deduced from satellite microwave observations alone.

Nevertheless, scientists have found that an improved understanding of processes within clouds can have a significant impact on precipitation forecasting. Therefore, a simplified procedure has been devised to identify the conditions for aerosols most consistent with observed infrared radiation data.

Models developed by the Joint-assimilation project can be used to give more accurate forecasting of storms and resulting flash-floods, thereby improving the quality of life of EU citizens.