Use of Near Real-Time CALIPSO and CloudSat Observations to Assess the Performance of a Numerical Weather Prediction Model

The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research (CAWCR) is developing the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESS), a global, coupled atmosphere-ocean climate model based on the Unified Model of the U.K. Met. Office. A high-resolution atmosphere-only version combined with a 4DVAR assimilation system is being used for numerical weather prediction. Validation of the various aspects of the model is underway. Here we focus on the temporal and spatial distribution of clouds in the Australian region. We report on a cloud and convection mask created from data from Cloud Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) and from CloudSat’s radar. The combination gives a complete map of the vertical distribution of clouds along the satellites’ ground track. By comparing the observed cloud fields with forecasts, we are able to assess the model’s predictive skill.