Forecast impact assessment of SMBA using the EDA method
| Title | Forecast impact assessment of SMBA using the EDA method
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Technical memorandum
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| Date Published |
08/2025
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| Secondary Title |
Technical Memoranda
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| Number |
929
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| Author | |
| Publisher |
ECMWF
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| Abstract | As part of NOAA’s Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) program, the Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications (SMBA) is a next-generation microwave instrument designed to enhance temperature and humidity sounding capabilities through new frequency coverage and improved instrument performance, including channels near 118 GHz and 229 GHz. This study uses the Ensemble of Data Assimilations (EDA) method within European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) to assess the potential forecast impact of SMBA observations prior to launch. Simulated radiances were generated using high-resolution model fields and radiative transfer modelling and then assimilated under all-sky conditions using both idealized and pragmatic observation error assumptions. The experiments focused on SMBA configurations in both the 13:30 and 17:30 Local Time of Ascending Node (LTAN) orbits. Results show that SMBA improves short-range forecast skill, particularly for temperature and wind fields, with the most significant impact observed when instruments are present in both orbits. The additional 118 and 229 GHz channels provide complementary benefits but cannot replace the critical role of the 50 GHz temperature-sounding band. The study highlights the importance of low-noise instrument performance and supports the strategic deployment of SMBA across multiple orbital planes to maximize the benefit to global numerical weather prediction. |
| URL | https://www.ecmwf.int/en/elibrary/81676-forecast-impact-assessment-smba-using-eda-method |
| DOI | 10.21957/f952cd9118 |
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