QuikSCAT

[Martin]

What is your opinion Rich on the loss of the QuikSCAT satellite (for real-time data purposes anyway) and how it might impact the future of hurricane forecasting/tracking? I always used it quite frequently to take a peak at what was going on out there and I always thought it was quite a valuable resource. ASCAT simply lacks the resolution and is considerably lacking next to the QuikSCAT. Wish NOAA/NASA could rush another one together like in the past and toss one up there.

[Caribbean Traveler]

What is your opinion Rich on the loss of the QuikSCAT satellite (for real-time data purposes anyway) and how it might impact the future of hurricane forecasting/tracking? I always used it quite frequently to take a peak at what was going on out there and I always thought it was quite a valuable resource. ASCAT simply lacks the resolution and is considerably lacking next to the QuikSCAT. Wish NOAA/NASA could rush another one together like in the past and toss one up there.

I didn't know about it. where did you hear that from? The previous hurricane center director was heavily criticized from making comments about this. Losing the Quickscat would be a huge loss. It is an extremely valuable forecasting resource. It made satellite interpretation much easier. The government will not find the money for a new Quickscat soon. Huge loss.

[Martin]

What is your opinion Rich on the loss of the QuikSCAT satellite (for real-time data purposes anyway) and how it might impact the future of hurricane forecasting/tracking? I always used it quite frequently to take a peak at what was going on out there and I always thought it was quite a valuable resource. ASCAT simply lacks the resolution and is considerably lacking next to the QuikSCAT. Wish NOAA/NASA could rush another one together like in the past and toss one up there.

I didn't know about it. where did you hear that from? The previous hurricane center director was heavily criticized from making comments about this. Losing the Quickscat would be a huge loss. It is an extremely valuable forecasting resource. It made satellite interpretation much easier. The government will not find the money for a new Quickscat soon. Huge loss.

Last November the antenna that rotated on the satellite broke. That ended the collection of real time ocean winds. All that we have now is the European ASCAT, a poor alternative. I remember those comments made by the previous NHC a while back. They overdid things but I always felt QuikSCAT was a very important asset.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-175
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMa ... rynum=1388

[Skibug]

You guys are over the top!

[Caribbean Traveler]

You guys are over the top!

It's tough knowing that the quickscat will not be available for use this season. It is anextremely useful tool for forecasting.

[Ninjaguy]

So, does this mean forecasting accuracy will go way down or just a little down?

[Martin]

So, does this mean forecasting accuracy will go way down or just a little down?

According to the NHC, QuikSCATs data did not affect the computer models forecast. However it was very useful for picking out circulations or potential systems in the Atlantic. I think last year it was especially useful with the number of irregular circulations and formed. It probably in my opinion wont affect forecasting significantly but it was a great tool to use

[Caribbean Traveler]

I do think that there will be a drop off in forecasting expertise in the initial stages of development. For hurricanes, there should be no change. Quickscat was invaluable in detecting the wind fields of disturbances. I have been surprised a number of times when a Quickscat pass would show a strong low level circulation that wasn't apparent on the satellite imagery. And in a like manner sometimes there are solid looking clusters with no low level circulation that would have been overestimated. So, yes I think that the loss of Quickscat will affect forecasting skill on tropical disturbance and tropical storms but not hurricanes.

[Mr. B]

We don't need less forcasting accuracy. Eastern North Carolina sees to many hurricanes. I would hope the government would have a replacement.

[Martin]

NOAA is trying to create a partnership with Japan to get it into the 2012 budget. Probably nothing for at least 5 years

[Caribbean Traveler]

If it deals with the government don't expect it to happen fast.