A New Temperature Channel Selection Method Based on Singular Spectrum Analysis for Retrieving Atmospheric Temperature Profiles from FY-4A/GIIRS

Hyperspectral data have important research and application value in the fields of meteorology and remote sensing.With the goal of improving retrievals of atmospheric temperature profiles,this paper outlines a novel temperature channel selection method based on singular spectrum analysis(SSA)for the Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder(GIIRS),which is the first infrared sounder operating in geostationary orbit.The method possesses not only the simplicity and rapidity of the principal component analysis method,but also the interpretability of the conventional channel selection method.The novel SSA method is used to decompose the GIIRS observed infrared brightness temperature spectrum(700-1130 cm-1),and the reconstructed grouped components can be obtained to reflect the energy variations in the temperature-sensitive waveband of the respective sequence.At 700-780 cm-1,the channels selected using our method perform better than IASI(Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer)and Cr IS(Cross-track Infrared Sounder)temperature channels when used as inputs to the neural network retrieval model.

Value-Added Products Derived from 15 Years of High-Quality Surface Solar Radiation Measurements at Xianghe,a Suburban Site in the North China Plain

Surface solar radiation(SSR) is a key component of the energy budget of the Earth’s surface, and it varies at different spatial and temporal scales. Considerable knowledge of how and why SSR varies is crucial to a better understanding of climate change, which surely requires long-term measurements of high quality. The objective of this study is to introduce a value-added SSR dataset from Oct 2004 to Oct 2019 based on measurements taken at Xianghe, a suburban site in the North China Plain;two value-added products based on the 1-minute SSR measurements are developed. The first is clear sky detection by using a machine learning model. The second is cloud fraction estimation derived from an effective semiempirical method. A “brightening” of global horizontal irradiance(GHI) was revealed and found to occur under both clear and cloudy conditions. This could likely be attributed to a reduction in aerosol loading and cloud fraction. This dataset could not only improve our knowledge of the variability and trend of SSR in the North China Plain, but also be beneficial for solar energy assessment and forecasting.

Automatic Identification of Clear-Air Echoes Based on Millimeter-wave Cloud Radar Measurements

Millimeter-wave cloud radar(MMCR)provides the capability of detecting the features of micro particles inside clouds and describing the internal microphysical structure of the clouds.Therefore,MMCR has been widely applied in cloud observations.However,due to the influence of non-meteorological factors such as insects,the cloud observations are often contaminated by non-meteorological echoes in the clear air,known as clear-air echoes.It is of great significance to automatically identify the clear-air echoes in order to extract effective meteorological information from the complex weather background.The characteristics of clear-air echoes are studied here by combining data from four devices:an MMCR,a laser-ceilometer,an L-band radiosonde,and an all-sky camera.In addition,a new algorithm,which includes feature extraction,feature selection,and classification,is proposed to achieve the automatic identification of clear-air echoes.The results show that the recognition algorithm is fairly satisfied in both simple and complex weather conditions.The recognition accuracy can reach up to 95.86%for the simple cases when cloud echoes and clear-air echoes are separate,and 88.38%for the complicated cases when low cloud echoes and clear-air echoes are mixed.

Evaluating the Algorithm for Correction of the Bright Band Effects in QPEs with S-, C-and X-Band Dual-Polarized Radars

The bright band, a layer of enhanced radar reflectivity associated with melting ice particles, is a major source of significant overestimation in quantitative precipitation estimation(QPE) based on the Z–R(reflectivity factor–rain rate) relationship.The effects of the bright band on radar-based QPE can be eliminated by vertical profile of reflectivity(VPR) correction. In this study, we applied bright-band correction algorithms to evaluate three different bands(S-, C-and X-band) of dual-polarized radars and to reduce overestimation errors in Z–R relationship–based QPEs. After the reflectivity was corrected by the algorithms using average VPR(AVPR) alone and a combination of average VPR and the vertical profile of the copolar correlation coefficient(AVPR+CC), the QPEs were derived. The bright-band correction and resulting QPEs were evaluated in eight precipitation events by comparing to the uncorrected reflectivity and rain-gauge observations, separately. The overestimation of Z–R relationship–based QPEs associated with the bright band was reduced after correction by the two schemes for which hourly rainfall was less than 5 mm. For the verification metrics of RMSE(root-mean-square error), RMAE(relative mean absolute error) and RMB(relative mean bias) of QPEs, averaged over all eight cases, the AVPR method improved from 2.28,0.94 and 0.78 to 1.55, 0.60 and 0.40, respectively, while the AVPR+CC method improved to 1.44, 0.55 and 0.30, respectively.The QPEs after AVPR+CC correction had less overestimation than those after AVPR correction, and similar conclusions were drawn for all three different bands of dual-polarized radars.

Data-driven Estimation of Cloud Effects on Surface Irradiance at Xianghe,a Suburban Site on the North China Plain

Clouds are a dominant modulator of the energy budget.The cloud shortwave radiative effect at the surface(CRE)is closely related to the cloud macro-and micro-physical properties.Systematic observation of surface irradiance and cloud properties are needed to narrow uncertainties in CRE.In this study,1-min irradiance and Total Sky Imager measurements from 2005 to 2009 at Xianghe in North China Plain are used to estimate cloud types,evaluate cloud fraction(CF),and quantify the sensitivities of surface irradiance with respect to changes in CF whether clouds obscure the sun or not.The annual mean CF is 0.50,further noting that CF exhibits a distinct seasonal variation,with a minimum in winter(0.37)and maximum in summer(0.68).Cumulus occurs more frequently in summer(32%),which is close to the sum of the occurrence of stratus and cirrus.The annual CRE is–54.4 W m^(–2),with seasonal values ranging from^(–2)9.5 W m^(–2)in winter and–78.2 W m^(–2)in summer.When clouds do not obscure the sun,CF is a dominant factor affecting diffuse irradiance,which in turn affects global irradiance.There is a positive linear relationship between CF and CRE under sun-unobscured conditions,the mean sensitivity of CRE for each CF 0.1 increase is about 1.2 W m^(–2)[79.5°<SZA(Solar Zenith Angle)<80.5°]to 7.0 W m^(–2)(29.5°<SZA<30.5°).When clouds obscure the sun,CF affects both direct and diffuse irradiance,resulting in a non-linear relationship between CF and CRE,and the slope decreases with increasing CF.It should be noted that,although only data at Xianghe is used in this study,our results are representative of neighboring areas,including most parts of the North China Plain.

Raindrop Size Distribution Parameters Retrieved from Xinfeng C-Band Polarimetric Radar Observations

The objective of this research was to acquire a raindrop size distribution(DSDs)retrieved from C-band polarimetric radar observations scheme for the first time in south China.An observation period of the precipitation process was selected,and the shape-slope(μ-Λ)relationship of this region was statistically analyzed using the raindrop sample observations from the two-dimensional video disdrometer(2DVD)at Xinfeng Station,Guangdong Province.Simulated data of the C-band polarimetric radar reflectivity ZHHand differential reflectivity ZDRwere obtained through scattering simulation.The simulation data were combined with DSD fitting to determine the ZDR-Λand log10(ZHH/N0)-Λrelationships.Using Xinfeng C-band polarimetric radar observations ZDRand ZHH,the raindrop Gamma size distribution parametersμ,Λ,and N0were retrieved.A scheme for using C-band polarimetric radar to retrieve the DSDs was developed.This research revealed that during precipitation process,the DSDs obtained using the C-band polarimetric radar retrieval scheme are similar to the 2DVD observations,the precipitation characteristics of rainfall intensity(R),mass-weighted mean diameter(Dm)and intercept parameter(Nw)with time obtained by radar retrieval are basically consistent with the observational results of the 2DVD.This scheme establishes the relationship between the observations of the C-band polarimetric radar and the physical quantities of the numerical model.This method not only can test the prediction of the model data assimilation system on the convective scale and determine error sources,but also can improve the microphysical precipitation processes analysis and radar quantitative precipitation estimation.The present research will facilitate radar data assimilation in the future.

Fengyun-4 Geostationary Satellite-Based Solar Energy Nowcasting System and Its Application in North China

Surface solar irradiance(SSI)nowcasting(0-3 h)is an effective way to overcome the intermittency of solar energy and to ensure the safe operation of grid-connected solar power plants.In this study,an SSI estimate and nowcasting system was established using the near-infrared channel of Fengyun-4A(FY-4A)geostationary satellite.The system is composed of two key components:The first is a hybrid SSI estimation method combining a physical clear-sky model and an empirical cloudy-sky model.The second component is the SSI nowcasting model,the core of which is the derivation of the cloud motion vector(CMV)using the block-matching method.The goal of simultaneous estimation and nowcasting of global horizontal irradiance(GHI)and direct normal irradiance(DNI)is fulfilled.The system was evaluated under different sky conditions using SSI measurements at Xianghe,a radiation station in the North China Plain.The results show that the accuracy of GHI estimation is higher than that of DNI estimation,with a normalized root-mean-square error(nRMSE)of 22.4%relative to 45.4%.The nRMSE of forecasting GHI and DNI at 30-180 min ahead varied within 25.1%-30.8%and 48.1%-53.4%,respectively.The discrepancy of SSI estimation depends on cloud occurrence frequency and shows a seasonal pattern,being lower in spring-summer and higher in autumn-winter.The FY-4A has great potential in supporting SSI nowcasting,which promotes the development of photovoltaic energy and the reduction of carbon emissions in China.The system can be improved further if calibration of the empirical method is improved.

Operational Plan,Effect Verification,and Key Technical Settings for a Stadium-Scale Artificial Rain Reduction Experiment

To explore the key technologies of artificial weather modification for specific targets(e.g.,a stadium)and improve the efficiency of artificial rainfall modification for major events,this study conducts an artificial rainfall reduction experiment for the closing ceremony of Nanjing Youth Olympic Games on 28 August 2014.Satellite retrievals,radar observations,sounding data,and other sources of information as well as Cloud and Precipitation Accurate Analysis System(CPAS)are used in this study.The main conclusions are as follows.(1)On 28 August 2014,a large-scale cumulus cloud system with mixed-phase stratocumulus and stratus precipitation was observed.This system was influenced by the weak shear of a low-level trough and the precipitation was dominated by cold clouds with dry layers between clouds.Thereby,we adopted the crystal-priming over-catalytic hypothesis and conducted a rocket-catalytic rain abatement operation at a certain distance(100–25 km)from the stadium.Rocket shootings of different intensities were implemented for two echoes that affected the stadium successively(two rounds of 15 rocket shootings within15 min for an isolated weak echo IA;multiple rounds of 156 rocket shootings within 80 min for a strong echo IB).Amazingly,after the shootings with the catalysis in the air,reflectivity of the two echoes was reduced at all altitudes with the most significant reduction at the 2-km altitude,and the time needed for the obvious reduction was 40 min.The most obvious reduction of the two echoes then maintained for 60 and 53 min,respectively,and the operation time needed for the echo zone to recover after the stop of rocket shooting was 108 min for echo IA and 90 min for echo IB.The two echoes moving across the stadium during the time period of the closing ceremony(2000–2130 local time)were at their minimal strengths,with almost no echo over the target stadium.This demonstrates that the rocket shooting strategy of over-crystallization catalysis is effective,and the shooting site,time,and dose are reasonable.The following technical parameters were used during this experiment.At about 80–25 km away from the target stadium in the west,the rocket shooting lasted for 15–80 min and the doses were not less than 1 shot min~(-1)(1 shot min~(-1)for echo IA,2.25 shots min~(-1)for echo IB).The attenuation rate was 0.21 dBZ min~(-1)for the average 15 dBZ of echo IA.For the average 25 dBZ of echo IB,the attenuation rate was 0.27 dBZ min~(-1).The above technical settings helped achieve the goal of reducing rain over the stadium to almost zero for nearly 1-h period during the critical time of the event.

A Deep Learning Method for Statistical Downscaling of CLDAS Relative Humidity with Different Sources of Data:Sensitivity Analysis

High-resolution relative humidity(RH)data are essential in studies of climate change and in numerical meteorological forecasting.However,because high-resolution meteorological grid data require a large number of stations,the sparse distribution of ground meteorological stations in China before 2008 has limited the development of long-term and high-resolution RH products in the China Meteorological Administration’s Land Assimilation System(CLDAS)dataset.To retrieve high-quality and high-resolution RH data before 2008,we propose a statistical downscaling model(SDM)based on a generative adversarial network(GAN)to transform the original RH data from a resolution of0.05°to 0.01°.The GAN-based SDM(GSDM)is trained with the RH of the CLDAS(0.05°)dataset after 2008 as its input,and the RH of the high-resolution CLDAS(HRCLDAS,0.01°)dataset after 2008 as its target for training.The2-m air temperature data from the HRCLDAS dataset are also included in the input,and the station observations of RH are incorporated in the target for training.To select the optimum data combination for the model,we compared three methods:(1)incorporating without auxiliary data(GSDM),(2)incorporating air temperature as an additional input(GSDM_T),and(3)incorporating air temperature as an additional input and the RH data at stations as an additional target for training(GSDM_TO).Taking the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region as an example,we trained the GSDM by using data from 2018 and tested the model performance in 2019.The experimental results showed that the GSDM_TO algorithm achieved the lowest root-mean-square error(3.85%),followed by the GSDM_T(4.01%)and GSDM(4.95%)algorithms.The proposed models showed a competitive performance and captured more local details of the RH fields than other deep learning models and traditional bilinear interpolation.In general,the GSDM_TO algorithm using a combination of different sources of data(air temperature and observed RH)achieved the best results among the various deep learning approaches,indicating that more auxiliary data and more accurate observations are beneficial in downscaling.This may be helpful for the statistical downscaling of other meteorological data.

An orientation method and analysis of optical radiation sources based on polyhedron and parallel incident light

The spatial orientation of optical radiation sources has long been the hot topic in the aerospace and the military applications.Current researches mainly focus on the high precision orientation on the partial field of view.Thus,combination of several partial fields of view is required to achieve orientation when the field of view exceeds 180°,which results in the increase of size,weight,power consumption and the cost.By defining radiation energy and direction of the optical radiation source as a vector and applying the cosine law of radiation and vector theorem,it is shown that the vector can be obtained from unit normal vectors on the three un-coplanar surfaces and from the energy projected by the optical radiation source.Based on this,an orientation method with 360° full field of view by a polyhedron is suggested,the mathematical formula for anti-multipath interference is supposed and the error upper limit is derived.The feasibility and effectiveness of this method are validated by measurements and simulation.An accuracy better than 2.866° and 0.574° is achieved when the ratio of measurement error of energy on arbitrary surface and the true value are 5% and 1%,respectively,given the matrix composed of unit normal vectors on three measurement surfaces is orthogonal.

An Operational Precipitable Water Vapor Retrieval Algorithm for Fengyun-2F/VISSR Using a Modified Three-Band Physical Split-Window Method

The Visible and Infrared Spin-Scan Radiometer(VISSR) onboard the Fengyun-2(FY-2) satellite can provide valuable thermal infrared observations to help create a precipitable water vapor(PWV) product with high spatial and temporal resolutions. The current FY-2/VISSR PWV product in operation is produced by using a traditional two-band physical split-window(PSW) method, which produces low quality results under dry atmospheric conditions. Based on the sensitivity characteristics of FY-2 F/VISSR water vapor channel and two split-window channels to atmospheric water vapor, this study developed a new, robust operational PWV retrieval algorithm for FY-2 F to improve the operational precision of the current PWV product. The algorithm uses a modified three-band PSW method, which adds a scale for the water vapor channel in the improved three-band PSW method. Integrated PWV products from the radiosonde data in 2016 are used here to validate the precision of the PWV retrieved by the modified three-band and traditional two-band PSW methods. The mean bias, root mean square error(RMSE), and correlation coefficient of the PWV retrieved by the modified three-band PSW method are 0.28 mm, 4.53 mm, and 0.969, respectively. The accuracy is much better than the PWV retrieved by the two-band method, whose mean bias, RMSE, and correlation coefficient are 12.67 mm, 29.35 mm, and 0.23. Especially, in mid-or high-latitude regions, the RMSE of the PWV is improved from 10 to 2 mm by changing the inversion in the two-band method to the modified three-band PSW method. Furthermore, the modified three-band PSW results show a better consistency with the radiosonde PWV at any zonal belt and season than the two-band PSW results. This new algorithm could significantly improve the quality of the current FY-2 F/VISSR PWV product, especially at sites where the actual PWV are lower than 15 mm.