- Success Stories
- Satellite Science & Environmental Intelligence
Atmospheric Processing System Support
The NOAA Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) is an operational retrieval algorithm that NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services has been using since 2002. This system generates near real-time atmospheric profiles of temperature, water vapour, and trace gases, as well as Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) needed for weather forecasting. CSS Remote Sensing Scientist supporting the STC Atmospheric Science and Technology Applications team provides science, programming, and algorithm development support for this system.
Major tasks for this effort include
- Outgoing Longwave Radiation – the longwave radiation emitted to space from the top of Earth’s atmosphere.
- AWS cloud-based mission-long reprocessing – one-stop place to access all NUCAPS products
- AEROSE field campaigns – collect and analyze atmospheric temperature, water vapour and ozone profiles, as well as aerosol optical depth and its origins.
For each of these tasks, the CSS remote sensing scientist’s contributions further develop and maintain these critical operations necessary for accurately forecasting and characterization of potentially dangerous weather events.

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Installing Environmental Monitoring Stations
Our field crews installed/updated two environmental monitoring stations in remote locations in the Pacific Northwest. Multiple types of sensors were installed including air and soil temperature, precipitation, soil moisture and soil redox potential. These stations provide data for designing and evaluating soil remediation projects for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development. Installing…
Over 2000 River and Stream Samples Analyzed
Every five years teams supporting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Aquatic Resource Survey—consisting of tribal, state, and federal partners—collect samples from over 2000 river and stream reaches throughout the United States. CSS analytical chemists support this effort by processing the samples and then analyzing them for various chemicals to help characterize their water quality. The…
Fire Detection Support
CSS provides fire detection support to the Atmospheric Science and Technology Applications team with NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services. CSS Surface Characteristics Scientist serves on the Fire Emissions and Fire Detection teams, providing data manipulation, algorithm development, and performance evaluation for the system. This ensures fast and reliable satellite data to stakeholders,…
