Space Science and Engineering Center University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Absolute Radiance Interferometer is a prototype developed for the CLARREO pathfinder mission designed to create a benchmark for measurements.

The Absolute Radiance Interferometer is an instrument developed by SSEC scientists and engineers that is capable of measuring infrared radiation in Earth’s atmosphere to a high-degree of accuracy. Roughly the size of a small freezer, the ARI is designed to be flight ready for future satellite missions.

The Antarctic Meteorological Research and Data Center (AMRDC) is an observational research and data center providing an accessible and reliable method of obtaining Antarctic meteorological data. In addition to establishing a data repository for Antarctic meteorological campaigns and projects, the AMRDC generates and hosts real-time Antarctic meteorological data from throughout the community, including data from the UW-Madison Automatic Weather Station (AWS) Program and Antarctic satellite composite imagery.

A ground-based instrument developed by SSEC, the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) measures temperature, water vapor, and trace gases in the boundary layer.

SSEC scientists have helped calibrate the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) onboard the Aqua satellite and currently validate its data, develop algorithms to make the data useful, and write software for processing the data from direct broadcast facilities.

SSEC is known for its pioneering work with atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) to track wind patterns by analyzing numerous sets of satellite images. These include AMVs from geostationary (GEO) satellite observations over mid-latitudes and the tropics and AMVs from low earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites over polar regions.

SSEC engineers are developing new blackbody technologies to improve the calibration of infrared remote sensing instruments.

This tool validates operational GOES-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) Legacy Atmospheric profile (LAP) retrieval products, focusing on parameters such as TPW, atmospheric stability indices, temperature/water vapor profiles.

The Chequamegon Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (ChEAS) is a research cooperative that seeks to understand carbon and water cycles of terrestrial ecosystems at regional scales, using the Northwoods of Wisconsin as its study region.

The Clouds from AVHRR extended (CLAVR-x) system processes cloud data for NOAA operations using the AVHRR instrument on the NOAA-POES and EUMETSAT-METOP series of polar orbiting satellites.

The Combined HSRL and Raman Measurement Study (CHARMS) is an effort through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program to evaluate the potential of combining two advanced lidar systems to provide information about aerosols and clouds in the Earth’s atmospheric column.

The Community Satellite Processing Package (CSPP) Geo is free open source software developed to support Direct Broadcast (DB) users with processing geostationary satellite data to generate geophysical products.

The Community Satellite Processing Package (CSPP) Leo is free open source software developed to support Direct Broadcast (DB) users with processing polar-orbiting satellite data for regional products and applications.

In preparation for JPSS-1 and for the current Suomi NPP, SSEC and CIMSS scientists are integrally involved in the pre-launch design and testing, as well as post-launch plans to assess the quality of the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) data.

SSEC scientists conduct research to improve satellite data assimilation techniques in operational weather forecast models.

Our work focuses on using satellite observations and model reanalysis datasets to develop new tools to detect, monitor, and forecast rapidly intensifying flash drought events. We also work with decision-makers to better understand and address their drought information needs.

Learn more about weather and climate through these educational applets.

Through a collaboration with scientists at George Mason University, researchers at SSEC and CIMSS routinely generate flood detection products from a suite of satellites including polar (SNPP & NOAA-20) and geostationary (GOES-East, GOES-West, and AHI-8) satellites in near realtime.

Scientists will partner with NOAA to accelerate the operational readiness of new observing systems and technology in ways that reduce cost and risk.

From helping to formulate the Advanced Baseline Imager, to developing algorithms and advanced products, SSEC and CIMSS scientists are now using the more timely and detailed observations of GOES-R to enhance our research of Earth’s atmosphere and weather.

Scientists will collaborate with NOAA to prepare for the next generation satellite systems beyond GOES-R, including looking at new orbits, sensors, satellite options, as well as commercial partnerships.

The nation’s current GOES-R series do not have a geostationary (GEO) hyperspectral IR sounder, while several international agencies have or are developing such a capability. The GEO hyperspectral IR sounders will greatly enhance the current forecast capability by providing critical high temporal resolution sounding information.

This project derives algorithms for and global databases of infrared land surface emissivity using input from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), as well as a combined MODIS-ASTER database.

Hazus-MH, created in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to estimate physical, economic, and social impacts of disasters such as earthquakes, hurricane winds, and floods.

Researchers will work with NOAA to support the transition of algorithms to operations.

HYDRA software allows for the analysis and visualization of multispectral and hyperspectral data acquired from weather satellites.

SSEC engineers support the drilling operations of the Ice Drilling Program funded by the National Science Foundation. Our engineers develop, operate, and maintain a variety of drills that are deployed to drill through ice and retrieve ice cores used for research studies.

CIMSS scientists have been investigating imager data fusion with sounder data and products to construct spectral bands and sounding products at imager spatial (and temporal for GEO) resolution.

To validate the measurements and to conduct studies, SSEC researchers compare data from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on the European MetOp satellite with data from other sounders, such as the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS).

The Infusing satellite Data into Environmental Applications – International (IDEA-I) develops satellite-based aerosol forecasting, visualization, and data synthesis tools for use by the international air quality forecasting community.

The Integrated Characterization of Energy, Clouds, Atmospheric state, and Precipitation at Summit (ICECAPS) ground-based instrument suite provides cloud, atmosphere, and precipitation measurements at the top of the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Scientists will collaborate with Taiwan Central Weather Bureau scientists to develop products for the Himawari satellite based on CIMSS’s product development experience for GOES-16 and -17.

SSEC and CIMSS scientists are involved in calibration and validation work to ensure the instruments on board the Joint Polar Satellite System satellites return accurate measurements that will support future research.

SSEC has developed two LIght Detection And Ranging (Lidar) instruments to take highly detailed atmospheric measurements used in numerical model development: the Volume Imaging Lidar and the High Spectral Resolution Lidar.

The NASA MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (SNPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) cloud products represent an effort to establish a continuous, multi-decadal climate data record for clouds.

Scientists at SSEC use data and imagery from NASA’s MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to advance understanding of the earth-atmosphere system.

McIDAS-V is a free, Java-based, open-source software package that allows for visualization and analysis of data retrieved from weather satellites.

We are estimating wind vectors by applying an optical flow technique to one-minute imagery from GOES-16.

MIMIC-TPW is a technique that combines microwave observations from polar orbiting satellites to create near-seamless hourly imagery of global total precipitable water (TPW).

The Hazardous Weather Testbed provides a platform to test new research and develop improved methods and technologies that support the advancement of severe weather forecasts and warnings.

Using data from the Voyager spacecraft, the Hubble Space Telescope, and ground-based observations, SSEC scientists are studying Neptune’s seasons, atmospheric circulations, and cloud structure.

The Pathfinder Atmospheres – Extended (PATMOS-x) project team derives atmospheric and surface records from NOAA’s Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data over the last 25 years.

Led by scientists at CIMSS, PREFIRE is a NASA Cubesat mission designed to take measurements of the Arctic with a specific focus on warming, sea ice loss, ice sheet melt and sea level rise.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) are being used to generate high-latitude wind fields by tracking cloud and water vapor features in infrared window and water vapor bands with these applications expanded to LEO-GEO and Sounder based winds.

ProbSevere is a statistical model that predicts the likelihood of a storm producing severe weather within the next 60 minutes.

The Real-time Air Quality Modeling System (RAQMS) is an online system for assimilating and forecasting global, ambient chemicals, and aerosols in the stratosphere and troposphere.

SSEC, in collaboration with other departments on campus, maintains a Reliable Automated Instrumentation Network (RAIN) for research purposes. On the AOSS building rooftop, instruments measure atmospheric parameters, while North, South, East, and West facing cameras record weather events. A buoy on Lake Mendota monitors lake quality and weather conditions.

The SSEC Portable Atmospheric Research Center (SPARC) is a vehicle outfitted with a suite of instruments to make ground-based measurements used for studying the atmosphere during field campaigns across the country. The SPARC is part of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Facilities for Atmospheric Research and Education (FARE) Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) program.

Researchers develop online courses for NWS forecasters to learn more about polar orbiting and geostationary satellite data and products.

SIFT is a user-friendly visualization system developed to train meteorologists to use satellite imagery.

This project fuses low earth orbit and geostationary imager and sounder products to construct radiances and hyperspectral sounder products at improved spatial and temporal resolution for weather monitoring and forecasting operations.

Designed and built at SSEC, the Scanning High-resolution Interferometer Sounder (S-HIS) measures temperature and water vapor profiles. Data gathered in field experiments is used to advance our understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere, support calibration and validation of current satellite sensors, and help to develop future weather satellite sounders.

The Atmosphere Science Investigator-led Processing System (SIPS) processes VIIRS data from the Suomi NPP satellite to produce Level 2 cloud and aerosol products, including cloud height, cloud phase, cloud properties, and aerosol optical thickness.

This project detects and characterizes sea ice leads (fractures in the ice sheet) using data from the polar orbiting Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instruments.

Using satellite data, NOAA and CIMSS scientists are studying sea ice trends in the polar regions.

This cryosphere research involves algorithm development to identify ice and snow cover and estimate ice concentration and ice surface temperature over water surfaces using information from satellite observations and other products.

The snowfall microphysics + radar observatory research program collects and catalogs sustained snowflake particle size distribution and habit type measurements to understand how microphysical details affect radar signatures.

This collaboration between the UW-Madison Department of Astronomy, Space Astronomy Lab, and SSEC will design and build a near infrared (NIR) upgrade to the Robert Stobie Spectrograph (RSS) on the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).

The Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) project employs 4 nanosatellites called CubeSats to study tropical cyclones via rapid sampling microwave observations. The CIMSS Tropical Cyclone research group is charged with developing methods to estimate storm intensity from this data.

CIMSS scientists have been investigating how they can use AI to improve short-term forecasts of hurricanes, and in particular their intensity.

The CIMSS Tropical Cyclone Research group develops satellite-derived products to improve the analysis and prediction of tropical cyclones, leading to a better understanding of storm behavior and more timely and effective warnings.

SSEC scientists are studying the seasonal changes, cloud features and their dynamics, cloud structures, and atmospheric circulation on Uranus.

The atmosphere of Venus has been explored by fly-by spacecraft, orbiters, descending probes, landers and floating balloons with supplementary ground-based observations in order to learn more about the planet’s weather.

The Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) program trains National Weather Service forecasters using distance education techniques to accelerate the transfer of satellite-based atmospheric research into operations. This includes VISITview, a teletraining and real-time collaboration tool developed at SSEC, along with courses developed and led by SSEC scientists.

NOAA and CIMSS scientists have developed tools to detect volcanic ash and dust clouds using data from geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites—information that is used to issue volcanic ash advisories to the aviation community.