NUMBER 98
DATE: 10/11/91
Sector Processing Center (SPC):
During August, NOA, ESA and JMA processed greater than 99% of A data into B1/B2 data.
Normal operations were reported by NOA, ESA and JMA. No reports or B2 data have been received from AES since March of this year.
The "format" problem with NOAA-10 B2 data was caused by a software change at NOAA that made the "number of channels" in the dataset header record equal to the number of ACTUAL channels active rather than the number of channels reported in the dataset. Since the GPC processing software reads this value to determine the structure of the data, an error was produced. The actual data had not been altered. This problem is now resolved.
ESA reported that operations continued with METEOSAT-4 during August. A three month delivery backlog of B2 data was eliminated.
CSU reported on-going testing of software and hardware needed to receive MET-50 data through GOES-6.
This source of data will be turned off on 1 November. CSU will then re-align its antenna for direct reception
of MET-50 data, but this also requires a hardware change. Their smaller antenna was blown down by wind,
so that CSU is not currently receiving GOES-7 data; but this antenna will be repaired by November. CSU also
sent the normalization coefficients for INSAT for 87 to the GPC.
Special Area Processing Center (SAPC):
No reports were received.
Satellite Calibration Center (SCC):
The SCC delivered BC data for GOES-7 for February, March, April and May 91.
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. A previously reported problem with IR calibration was
exaggerated by use of an incorrect bandwidth in the conversion to radiances. Although still apparent, the
reduced magnitude of the anomaly does not require any re-calibration, since it is within the uncertainties.
Production of NOAA-10 (preliminary) B3 data is current.
Production of METEOSAT (preliminary) B3 data is current.
Production of GOES-7 (preliminary) B3 data is current. The replacement datasets received from CSU have
been processed into B3 format and merged with the datasets from AES. Re-calibration of GOES-7 data has
been completed through December 89. The GOES-7 B3 for 89 data have been shipped to the ICA.
Production of GMS-4 (preliminary) B3 data is current.
The processing software to convert INSAT-1 B2 data into B3 format was tested by running the first month of
data (January 86), one UTC, all the way from B2 through B3 to CX. A small problem in navigation is apparent
and is being investigated; however, the quality of the cloud results looks excellent.
Production of TOVS and the ice/snow correlative datasets is current.
C1 data for August, September, October and November 88 have been completed and will be shipped to the
ICA as soon as the data for December are completed.
A paper describing the radiance normalization procedures for ISCCP has been completed and submitted for
publication in the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology. The revised version of the documentation
for the C1 and C2 datasets has been mailed out by WMO.
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.
The health of GMS-4, METEOSAT-3, METEOSAT-4, METEOSAT-5, GOES-7, NOAA-10, NOAA-11, and
NOAA-12 remained good. METEOSAT-3 is now in operation at 50 W. NOAA-12 operations began on 16
September 91, replacing NOAA-10. NOAA announced the delay of launch of GOES-NEXT until late 93. In
the meantime arrangements to use MET-3 to supplement GOES-7 coverage have been made.
Delivering backlog of GOES-7 B2 data for March 91 through August 91 to the GPC.
Delivering backlog of INSAT-1 B2 data for January 88 through April 89 to the GPC.
Delivery backlog for B3 data = 20 months (with respect to planned schedule). B3 data for 72 months have been archived.
Delivery backlog for C1/C2 data = 27 months (with respect to planned schedule). C1 data for 65 months have
been archived.