Impacts of surface wind and moisture data from microwave sensors in the analysis and prediction of weather in the Indian Ocean region

Meteorological data from microwave sensors are very useful over the data sparse regions such as the Indian Ocean. Assimilation experiments have been carried out at NCMRWF using surface wind speeds and total precipitable water content (TPWC) from microwave sensors on-board various satellites providing meteorological data. These data when assimilated at NCMRWF have affected the analyses and forecast significantly during monsoon seasons. The dry bias of the analyses gets removed with these data and description of monsoon circulation improved. Several experiments have been carried out using data from the Indian remote sensing satellite IRS-P4. The analyses of Orissa super cyclone improved considerably when data from various microwave sensors were used. TPWC data seems to be very crucial parameter for modeling purpose. Due care must be taken in the retrieval and assimilation techniques so that this parameter is represented correctly.