NUMBER 112

DATE: 12/03/92

Sector Processing Center (SPC):

During October, NOA, JMA, AES, CSU and ESA processed greater than 89% of A data into B1/B2 data.Normal operations were reported by NOA, JMA and ESA.AES experienced a data loss on 3 - 5 October because of a disk file system overflow. A fix has been implemented to avoid this problem.CSU collection of METEOSAT-3 data was generally successful, but hardware/software problems with the VAX/VMS system caused some data losses. Therefore CSU switched collection to a PC/DOS system which is more reliable and drops fewer pixels and lines.

Special Area Processing Center (SAPC):

UWS reported beginning the processing of GOES-7 B2 datasets to supplement the data collected by AES; these data will plug the gaps in AES datasets for April - July 87 and March 88. Funding to process remaining data to fill gaps is being sought.

Satellite Calibration Center (SCC):

The SCC received AC data for September - October 92 for NOAA-11 and for October 92 for GMS-4 and GOES-7. BC data for GOES-7 for July 92 were sent to the GPC this month.

Global Processing Center (GPC):

The GPC continued to receive B2 data, BC data and correlative data in a routine manner.Production of NOAA-11 (preliminary) B3 data is current.Production of NOAA-12 (preliminary) B3 data is current.Production of METEOSAT-4 (preliminary) B3 data is current.Production of METEOSAT-3 (at 50W) B3 data has not started yet.Production of GOES-7 (preliminary) B3 data is current. A replacement dataset for February 92 was received from AES.Production of GMS-4 (preliminary) B3 data is current.Production of all INSAT-1 (preliminary) B3 data has been completed. Work is underway to determine final calibrations.The GPC is producing a calibration dataset that contains all the radiance calibration tables from the B3 data. The calibration datasets through June 91 have been completed for GOES-5, GOES-6, NOAA-7, NOAA-8, NOAA-9, NOAA-10, NOAA-11, METEOSAT-2, METEOSAT-3 and METEOSAT-4, GMS-1, GMS-2, GMS-3 and GMS-4. The dataset for GOES-7 is nearly complete. The INSAT dataset will be produced during final calibration.Production of the ice/snow correlative dataset is current. Re-processing of the whole TOVS dataset has now been completed through August 87.Production of C1/C2 data for February, March and April 91 has been completed and the data shipped to the ICA.A new cloud detection algorithm for the polar regions has been developed and tested. The new method uses threshold tests on the 3.7 m and 11.5 m channels: the former helps detect low-lying clouds, particularly common over sea ice, and the latter helps detect optically thin clouds, particularly common over the Greenland and Antarctic plateaus. Early results indicate closer agreement with the best available estimates of cloud amount from surface observations. Further testing will be done after some other minor algorithm changes are tested.

ISCCP Central Archive (ICA):The ICA continued to receive B1 data from NOA, AES, ESA, CSU and JMA and B3 and C data from the GPC in a routine manner.

The health of GMS-4, METEOSAT-3 (at 50 W), METEOSAT-4, METEOSAT-5, GOES-7, NOAA-11, and NOAA-12 remained good.

Stage B3: July 83 - June 91Stage CD: July 83 - December 91Stage C1: July 83 - April 91Stage C2: July 83 - December 90

OPEN ITEMS

Delivering the backlog of GOES-7 B1/B2 data for March, April, May and June 92 to the GPC.Delivery backlog for B3 data = 10 months (with respect to planned schedule). B3 data for 96 months have been archived.Delivery backlog for C1/C2 data = 12 months (with respect to planned schedule). C1 data for 94 months have been archived.