The Use of Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) Data at CIRA

Dr. Stanley Kidder

Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University

The 20-channel Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit has replaced the 4-channel Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) on the NOAA polar-orbiting satellites. Whereas the MSU was a temperature sounding instrument, the AMSU is capable of both temperature and moisture sounding as well as the sensing of snow cover, sea ice, rain rate, precipitable water, cloud liquid water, and other parameters. In his seminar I will describe these products, show how they are processed and distributed at CIRA, and discuss some of the research projects that use the products.