Speaker: Ronald M. Errico, NASA Goddard
Title: Atmospheric Data Assimilation
Date: Friday, October 23
Time: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Location: 655 McBryde Hall

Abstract:

Atmospheric data assimilation is a class of techniques used for producing descriptions of fields of air temperature, pressure, humidity, wind, etc. on a spatial grid or in terms of a finite functional representation. These are then used to initialize numerical weather forecasts or to analyze the atmosphere for other purposes. The techniques combine past, present, and even future observations in an approximate statistically optimal way. Various types of statistical or physically-based models and their corresponding adjoints are employed to relate diverse fields in both time and space and to relate what is observed to what is being analyzed. Computationally, the problem is very demanding and constraining on the techniques that can be employed on a routine basis.

In this talk, the state of the art of this problem will be presented. Peculiarities of the observation network that make the problem especially daunting will be described. The primary techniques employed will be contrasted. Assumptions made, and often violated, will be exposed. The difficulties and rewards of collaborations with the university community will be offered.