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An equivalent neutral wind observation operator for variational assimilation of scatterometer ocean surface wind data
Author(s) -
Tardif Robert,
Laroche Stéphane
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.1953
Subject(s) - data assimilation , scatterometer , operator (biology) , meteorology , tangent , perturbation (astronomy) , wind speed , remote sensing , environmental science , mathematics , geology , physics , geometry , biochemistry , chemistry , repressor , quantum mechanics , transcription factor , gene
This article describes a new observation operator developed for improved variational data assimilation of scatterometer ocean wind vectors. The forward operator is designed explicitly to take into account the equivalent neutral calibration of scatterometer wind retrievals. The corresponding tangent linear and adjoint (TL/AD) operators are developed for the calculation of near‐surface increments based explicitly on parametrizations of surface‐layer turbulent momentum transfer. Tangent linear and adjoint operators are formulated using the Jacobian of the forward operator estimated using the perturbation method. Various TL/AD configurations are investigated in more detail to assess the impact of sensitivities affecting the vertical gradient of surface‐layer temperature during assimilation of ocean surface wind data. It is argued that these sensitivities should be neglected in the context of a stand‐alone atmospheric prediction system. The complete form of the operator has, however, the potential to be a key component of a coupled atmosphere–ocean data assimilation system. Two data assimilation experiments were performed using distinct scatterometer observation operators, i.e. new equivalent neutral versus the simpler operational configuration using stability‐dependent (real) background winds. Associated medium‐range forecasts were run for a complete impact assessment. The impact of the new operator is tracked through the entire data assimilation and forecast process by comparing analyses and forecasts from both experiments. A significant sensitivity of the data assimilation system to the configuration of the observation operator has been found. Modest but beneficial impacts are obtained with the equivalent neutral wind observation operator with respect to short‐range forecasts of ocean surface winds and medium‐range forecasts of extratropical geopotential heights. © 2012 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.