A. Brisson, P. LeBorgne, A. Marsouin and T. Moreau
(Météo-France, Centre de Météorologie Spatiale
22302 LANNION, FRANCE
(33) 96 05 67 00)
(Sponsor: K. Katsaros AGU Member)
Our goal in taking part in the ASTEX (SOFIA) experiment was to test validate algorithms and techniques using operational meteorological satellite data for the retrieval of the following parameters: Sea Surface Temperature (SST), surface solar irradiance, cloud types and downward longwave irradiance. They are mainly aimed to be used as inputs for an upper ocean model in the frame of the Météo-France sea surface flux programme FLORENCE.
Our objective was to produce the fields of each parameter within the shortest delays and at the best space resolution possible. They have been calculated on an iso-latitude iso-longitude grid bounded by 27N, 40N, 15W, 30W. AVHRR derived SST fields have been calculated 4 times a day, cloud classification and surface irradiances have been produced on a hourly basis from METEOSAT data and numerical weather forecast model outputs. In addition to that, a daily surface thermal structure analysis has been performed, on nighttime AVHRR data only, with (the particular aim of locating the Azores front.
This presentation will review briefly the methods which have been used and present the preliminary comparisons between satellite estimates of surface irradiances and the corresponding measurements made aboard the IFREMER ship SuroÎt.