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Anita Leroy

Publications and source records attributed to Anita Leroy.

NASA SPoRT Suite of Legacy and Current Satellite Products in Support of Tropical Analysis and Forecasting

The NASA Short-term Prediction, Research, and Transition (SPoRT) Program works closely with NOAA/NWS weather forecasters to transition unique satellite data and capabilities into operations in order to assist with nowcasting and short-term forecasting issues. SPoRT has applied data and capabilities from a variety of research-oriented missions to improve the operational analysis and short-term forecasting of the tropical environment and tropical cyclones(TC).Toward researching new products, SPoRT is examining the diurnal cycle of TC intensity by observing changes in precipitation, winds, and midlevel moisture, including the use of NUCAPS soundings to assess the moisture and temperature environment around TCs, as well as examining changes in sounding profiles associated with the TC diurnal cycle. SPoRT has developed capabilities to analyze the evolution and diurnal cycle of GPM/IMERG rain rates and GLM lightning characteristics associated with TC, by compass and up-/down-shear quadrants relative to the cyclone center. As Early Adopters in the Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission, SPoRT is also in the process of developing new experimental products utilizing TROPICS data. Furthermore, SPoRT is investigating the relationship between TC intensity and lightning flash size and optical energy. MSFC hosts a GOES ground rebroadcast station which enables the potential for very low latency GLM products. These products provide the ability to monitor tropical regions/systems in data-void oceanic regions and to fill the gaps in traditional observational systems. SPoRT seeks to expand our collaborations with operational centers and other stakeholders to provide new tools to aid in tropical analysis and forecasting.

satellite remote sensing

Addressing User Needs through the Stakeholder Engagement Program

Every two years, the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG), an initiative of the U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO), surveys federal agencies to pinpoint their satellite Earth observation needs. For each expressed need, NASA-led assessment teams coordinate with the agencies to devise solutions. Solutions can include existing or modified data products as well as the construction of new data products and technologies, such as the Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) product and the Catalog of Archived Sub-Orbital Earth Science Investigations (CASEI). To facilitate adoption of new data products and technologies, the SNWG Management Office’s Stakeholder Engagement Program (SEP) was established. The program’s primary goals are to respond to training and capacity building needs expressed by agencies and to encourage engagement from stakeholders as SNWG solutions are developed. To serve these needs, SEP has developed the following: an SNWG Solutions Earthdata webpage, an SEP Earthdata webpage, and an Earthdata Search Portal for SNWG products. These avenues provide assistance to users from all backgrounds and levels of expertise as well as publicize the ongoing efforts of SNWG solutions. In addition, the SEP is also collaborating with NASA’s Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center to develop user-driven applications for SNWG products leveraging stakeholder input. This presentation will provide an overview of the SEP, highlight the resources currently available to users, and describe ongoing efforts to address the needs of users, so SNWG products can be better implemented into scientific workflows.

Jenny Wood

SNWG 2024 Asana Workshop

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

satellite needs; earth observation

The Impact and Usage of Near Real-Time and Low Latency Solutions from the Satellite Needs Working Group

The Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG) is an interagency effort of the U.S. Government to identify the Earth observation gaps and data needs across civilian U.S. federal agencies. Within short time frames of 2 to 5 years, on behalf of SNWG, NASA formulates and implements a range of remote sensing-based solutions that benefit the entire Earth Science community and society at large. More than 20 such solutions are underway, with several addressing needs for near real-time and low latency information as a result of priorities identified in the survey. In this talk, we will present and discuss the impact and usage of such solutions, including ICESat-2 Atlas products (data delivered within 72 hours instead of the standard 45-day latency for ATLAS science products), near real-time air quality TEMPO products derived from the recently launched TEMPO mission (these products include SO 2 , NO 2 , HCHO, O 2 -O 2 cloud cover, and aerosols with a planned latency of one hour), and low latency Harmonized Landsat-Sentinel-2 (HLS) data (HLS data with a latency of 6 hours). We will talk about how these solutions are being co-designed by federal agencies to maximize their impact and usage by the scientific community. Finally, we will also invite additional stakeholders and users to get involved in the formulation, implementation, and operationalization of these solutions.

Pontus Olofsson

Communication and Social Science in the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG) Assessment

Every two years, NASA conducts an in-depth assessment of the satellite Earth observation data needs of U.S. federal civilian agencies submitted through the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG) survey. The SNWG assessment occurs at the nexus of science and people: in the 2022 assessment, over 100 scientists across NASA, NOAA, and USGS were organized to interview over 165 end users at 29 agencies about their unique satellite needs, brainstorm a range of solutions to meet those needs, and communicate back to agencies about resources available for meeting their needs. The innovative approaches to communication, organization, and team make-up that will be described in this talk are vital to the success of the SNWG assessment. As the first major step in evaluating a satellite need, the tri-agency assessment team interviews the agency SMEs who submitted the survey to understand how satellite data could help inform their decision-making process or enable them to fulfill their key responsibilities. In preparation, NASA utilizes social scientists to provide training to all assessment participants on how to hold a discovery-centered interview, including starting with a purpose, creating a welcoming space, exploring all aspects and edges of the need, and brainstorming possible solutions to meet the need. After the interviews, assessment participants propose and review solutions across all thematic areas, seeking those that will help multiple agencies. During the selection process, agencies expected to benefit from a new solution have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed activity and are invited to co-design the solution with NASA, should it be implemented. The organization of needs and solutions takes place in Asana, a workflow management tool adapted for the SNWG assessment, and the Report Generation Tool (RGT) enables assessment teams to collaboratively write reports that are returned to each agency with information on current and upcoming resources that help meet their needs.

Katrina Virts