This research core focuses on lower and middle atmosphere remote sensing and modeling. The projects will apply remote sensing observations at a variety of scales from local to global, analyzing satellite measurements together with complementary ground-based observations to improve key atmospheric products, and develop tools and/or models which can be used to improve these including boundary layer height, aerosols, ozone, water vapor, and clouds, important to both climate and weather. At the same time, a coupled modeling efforts will be employed that use CREST atmospheric products and observations to improve high resolution urban weather and air quality forecasts. A key strength unique to CREST in this area has been active remote sensing for vertical profiling of the atmosphere via development of the CREST lidar network (CLN) of multi-wavelength lidar systems along the Atlantic coast from New York to the Caribbean (PR). The network has matured and as part of GAW Lidar Observation Network (GALION), it makes regular observations that allow understanding of planetary boundary layer (PBL) dynamics, long range transport of aerosols in aloft plumes, water vapor profiling, and aerosol-cloud interactions. This capability is further augmented by sky-radiometer observations in the visible and microwave range. Lidar data from satellite observations (CALIPSO) has also been used to characterize cirrus and polar stratospheric clouds.
Another area of focus is validation of long term Ozone trend data with SBUV/2. In this regard, ground-based networks of ozone observations with Brewer/Umkehr instruments serve as an important source for cross-validation with ozone measurements made from space.
Mapping to NOAA and NESDIS Strategic Plans
This work will significantly contribute to the “Weather Ready Nation” NOAA goal and specifically address NOAA objectives “Healthy people and communities through improved air and water quality”, and “Reduced loss of life, property, and disruption from high-impact events”. At the
same time, the work is also relevant to the “Climate Adaptation and Mitigation” goal and associated objectives “Improved scientific understanding of the changing climate system and its impacts” and “Integrated assessments of current and future states of the climate system that identify potential impacts and inform science, services, and decisions”. Sustained observations at local, regional, and global scales are critical to a scientific
understanding of the current and future state of Weather and Climate, and critical to improvement of models used for forecasting weather (short term) and climate change (long term).
CREST Researchers
- Pat McCormick, Hampton University
- Fred Moshary, EE Dept, CCNY/CUNY
- Jorge Gonzalez, ME Dept., CCNY/CUNY
- Barry Gross, EE Dept., CCNY/CUNY
- Ruben Delgado, UMBC/CREST
NOAA-collaborator
- Shobha Kondrogunta, Istvan Lazslo, Andy Heidinger, Larry Flynn, Eric Beach, Wei Yu, Mitch Goldberg, and Al Powel NOAA/NESDIS/STAR
- Mike Hardesty and G. Feingold, and I. Petropavlovskikh, NOAA/ESRL
- Jeffery T. McQueen, NOAA/NWS/NCEP
- T. Smith, NESDIS/STAR
- R. Cabrera, NOAA/NWS
