The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology

Satellite Training activities at CIMH2011 Satellite Direct Readout Conference

MiamiKathy-Ann CaesarKathy-Ann Caesar

MeteorologistMeteorologist

The primary functions of CIMH Institute are to:

• Provide facilities for the training of various categories of meteorological and hydrological personnel

• Operate as a centre of research in meteorology and hydrology and associated sciences

• Operate as contractors and consultants on various meteorological and hydrological projects

• Maintain a service for the upkeep, repair, and calibration of meteorological instruments

• Provide advice to participating governments on meteorological and hydrological matters

• Collect, analyse, and publish meteorological and hydrological data

•For 43 plus years has been the primary training and education facility for meteorological personnel in the Caribbean;. •CIMH has resigned itself to not only training but also in the involvement in collative projects that would benefit the local and regional community.

Satellite Training Courses• Training on the satellite technology, imagery interpretation and

analysis now conducted at ALL levels of meteorological training at CIMH-▫ Entry level technicians’ course

Introduction to Basic Satellite Imagery▫ Mid-level technicians’ course

Interpretation for aeronautical briefing purposes;▫ Senior level technicians course

Interpretation, explanation and use of satellite products for forecasting purposes

▫ Bachelors degree in Meteorology Analysis, interpretation analysis and research

▫ Continuing Professional Development – Online course for Operational Forecasters Operational Satellite training Exercises

Aeronautical Meteorological Forecaster –WMO Competencies1. Analyse and monitor continuously the weather

situation▫ Simple scalar, synoptic analysis and satellite

interpretation begin with in weeks of training;2. Forecast aeronautical meteorological phenomena

and parameters▫ Students use satellite products to assess regional and

local features that can affect aeronautical operation3. Warn of hazardous phenomena

▫ Interpretation of synoptic analyses, NWP and remote sensing (satellite and radar) products

4. Ensure the quality of meteorological information and services▫ Regulations and documentation

5. Communicate meteorological information to internal and external users Weather briefings, Public and Media presentations,

Prognosis

WMO 258 Satellite Meteorology Core competencies

Integrate satellite data with other data sources

Apply appropriate conceptual models

Identify cloud types and amounts

Identify terrestrial surface conditions

Diagnosis (why?)Analysis (what?)

Identify hemispheric, synoptic & mesoscale and local features

Identify atmospheric hazards

Assess current state of atmosphere & evolution

Assess NWP guidance

Identify relevant atmospheric processes

Weather Briefings

Satellite Imagery from NOAA, and RAMSDISprovide valuable information

TS Omar

Surface and upper level analysis both manual and machine generated

Diagnostic

PrognosticUse of satellite data in initializing the MM5 Mesoscale NWP Products

Special Events Forecasting and Disaster Risk Management

Hurricane Tomas October 29th, 2010

Cricket World Cup 20072007 Cricket World Cup Final; ICC World Twenty20 Final ... Rain before play reduced the game to 38 overs per side at Kensington Oval the venue for the 2007 Cricket World Cup final between Australia and Sri Lanka, held on April 28,

The TAOS Real-time Impact Forecasting System (RTFS)

Vlab - Regional Focus Group Satellite Discussions

Visitview Focal Group

• Monthly Weather Discussion across Latin America and the Caribbean;

• Lead by Tony Mosel (UCAR/COMET); Bernadette Connell (CIRA) and Mike Davison (NCEP);

• Satellite data interpretations

• Special Weather events

Caribbean Weather Discussion

• Monthly weather briefings for Caribbean;

• Weather briefings and system discussion

• Teaching and Continuous Professional Development

• Special events▫ Dust Week▫ Onset of tropical storms▫ Introduction of new

products; e.g. TWP, RTFS TAOS model

Vlab – RFG – Special Events• Soufriere Volcanic Eruption

▫ Afternoon February 11th 2010.

▫ Large unexpected ‘cloud’ appeared over north eastern Caribbean Island

▫ The Impressive plume shutdown flights across the Lesser Antilles

▫ The discussion group got a RGB demonstration for Bernie Connell of CIRA

• Blended Total Precipitable Water (TPW) imagery

▫ Regional sessions on the TWP products assisted by Sheldon Kusselson of NOAA

▫ Has been widely used in the regional forecast office

Real-Time Flood Forecasting for the CaribbeanFlood Forecasting Concept

•The problem▫Floods are a concern due to inadequate and

untimely flood forecasts often lead to significant economic losses, and possibly, the loss of life

•Our solution▫Integrate quantitative precipitation forecasts

into a distributed hydrological model NWP WRF Mesoscale model and hydrological

model Updates utilizing outputs from Doppler weather

radars TRMM data

Progress to date…•Haiti recovery efforts

http://63.175.159.26/~haiti

16/03/2011WRF Outputs superimposed onto watershed map of Haiti

WRF Outputs superimposed onto 2D surface map

Instrument Resolution Rainfall

(mm)

Rain gauge Point estimate

29

TRMM 3B42* 0.25° x 0.25° 1.4

WRF V3.0 4km x 4km 60.9

Problems• Insufficient funds.

▫ The Institute is funded by the supporting governments and with some of these facing harsh economic times the required funding is hardly ever received.

• The Institute despite the difficulties intends to expand its training methods by including computer aided learning materials in a meaningful way.

▫ Efforts are being made to increase more consulting activities;

• Need to increase bandwidth▫ Significant progress has been made

• Lack of adequate finances also impinges on the ability to hire adequate staff.

▫ More activities require more staff

The Future

•Integrate new satellite products into training and research;

•Introduction of GEOnetCAST;

•CoE VLab webpage;

•Introduction of a Marine Meteorology program;

•Continuing Professional Development program;

•Aid Disaster Preparedness efforts;