Training course: EUMETSAT/ECMWF NWP-SAF satellite data assimilation

This is an introductory seminar to briefly introduce the main concepts in the satellite global observing system, the types of satellite observation and how they are used and monitored at ECMWF and how the global observing system as a whole is designed, managed and integrated by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The presentation will be split into three parts. In the first part the concepts of polar orbiting and geostationary orbiting satellites will be briefly presented, and the challenges and opportunities posed by both techniques discussed. Also other possible orbital configurations, such as highly elliptical orbits will be mentioned. The changes in satellite data used over the last 15 years will be discussed, with some of the key missions highlighted. A very brief introduction to how we monitor the performance of the satellite data in the assimilation will be given. In the second part the website maintained by WMO, named OSCAR, will be presented and it will be explained why this is such a useful facility and how it can be used to plan for and understand the changing observing system. The session will end with a practical session using OSCAR. We will logon to the OSCAR website and examine the information available.