NUMBER 77

DATE: 01/04/90

Sector Processing Center (SPC):

During November, NOAA, AES, JMA and ESA processed greater than 89% of A data into B1/B2 data.

Normal operations were reported by NOAA and JMA.

AES data collection continues to suffer because of the less reliable system that they must use until their bit synchronizer is repaired. Data losses occurred on two days because of inadequate operator coverage and on two days because of a complete failure of the front-end data system.

ESA reported another gain change on METEOSAT-4 implemented on 2 November 1989 at 0900 UTC. Decontamination of the water vapor and IR channels affected data quality between 1400 UTC on 7 November and 1500 UTC on 9 November. Also testing makes the VIS data suspect from 1430 UTC on 7 November until 1800 UTC on 9 November. Two more months (Jan and Feb 89) of replacement METEOSAT B2 data were shipped to the GPC.

JMA reported that GMS-4 became operational at 0501 UTC on 4 December 1989.

Special Area Processing Center (SAPC):

No reports were received.

Satellite Calibration Center (SCC):

No report or new BC data were received.

Global Processing Center (GPC):

The GPC continued to receive B2 data and correlative data in a routine manner.

Production of NOAA-10 preliminary B3 data has been completed through Jun 87; these data will be delivered after analysis of the long-term behavior of the visible channel calibration.

A preliminary normalization of the visible channel calibration on NOAA-11 to NOAA-9 has been completed; the correction to NOAA-11 "albedos" is to multiply them by 0.900 and add 0.002 to normalize them to NOAA-7 in July 1983 (remember that this standard is too low by 20%, which implies that the NOAA-11 calibration was about 8% low just after launch). Analysis of the first year of data to detect any calibration trends is underway. We also hope to compare our results with the NASA ER-2 calibration flight results in November 88.

All remaining B3 data for GOES-6 have been produced through Jan 89, except for Aug and Dec 88 for which replacement B2 data were needed. The replacement B2 were received this month, so their conversion to B3 is underway. Delivery of these data to the ICA awaits receipt of the BC data and calibration checks for short-term anomalies.

Production of B3 data for GMS in 87 has commenced, skipping those months for which replacement B2 data are needed. This production is complete through Aug 87 (skipping two months).

C1 data for March and May 85 have been completed. Production of C1 data for June and July 85 is underway.

ISCCP Central Archive (ICA):

The ICA continued to receive B1 data from NOA, AES, ESA, and JMA and B3 and C data from the GPC in a routine manner.