The impact of Microwave Temperature Sounder （MWTS） radiances on the prediction of the Chinese Numerical Weather prediction （NWP） system-GRAPES （Global and Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System） with compar...The impact of Microwave Temperature Sounder （MWTS） radiances on the prediction of the Chinese Numerical Weather prediction （NWP） system-GRAPES （Global and Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System） with comparison of two Quality Control （QC） schemes was researched. The main differences between the two schemes are cloud detection, O-B （brightness temperature difference between observation and model simulation） check and thinning. To evaluate the impact of the two QC schemes on GRAPES, a typhoon case study and cycle experiments were conducted. In the typhoon case study, two experiments were conducted using both the new and old QC schemes. The results show that outliers are removed in the new QC while they exist in the old QC. The analysis and the model forecast are subsequently generated after assimilating data from the two QC schemes. The model-predicted steering flows more southward with the new QC scheme, and as a result, the forecast track in the experiments is more southward, i.e., closer to the best track than the old scheme. In addition to the case study, four impact cycle experiments were conducted for 25-day periods. The results show that the new QC scheme removed nearly all the biases whereas the old scheme could not. Furthermore, the mean and standard deviation of analysis increments with the new scheme is much smaller than those of O-B. In contrast, the old scheme values are either slightly smaller or the same. Verifications indicate that forecast skill is improved after applying the new scheme. The largest improvements are found in the Southern Hemisphere. According to the results above, MWTS with the new QC scheme can improve the GRAPES forecast.展开更多
Fengyun-3B （FY-3B） is the second polar- orbiting satellite in the new Fengyun-three series. This paper describes the assimilation of the FY-3B Microwave Temperature Sounder （MWTS） radiances in the Chinese Numerica...Fengyun-3B （FY-3B） is the second polar- orbiting satellite in the new Fengyun-three series. This paper describes the assimilation of the FY-3B Microwave Temperature Sounder （MWTS） radiances in the Chinese Numerical Weather prediction system - the Global and Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System （GRAPES）. A quality control procedure for the assimilation of the FY- 3B MWTS radiance was proposed. Extensive monitoring before assimilation shows that the observations of channel 4 are notably contaminated. Channels 2 and 3 are used in this research. A cloud detection algorithm with an improved cloud-detection threshold is determined and incorporated into the impact experiments. The clear field- of-view （FOV） percentage increased from 42% to 57% with the new threshold. In addition, the newly added FOVs are located in the clear region, as demonstrated by the cloud liquid water path data from NOAA-18. The impact of the MWTS radiances on the prediction of GRAPES was researched. The observation biases ofFY-3B MWTS O-B （differences between satellite observations and model simulations） significantly decreased after an empirical bias correction procedure. After assimilation, the residual biases are small. The assimilation of the FY-3B MWTS radiances shows a positive impact in the Northern Hemisphere and a neutral impact in the Southern Hemisphere.展开更多
微波温度计(Microwave Temperature Sounder,MWTS)亮温资料是由观测的地球视场、冷空和暖体的计数值通过两点非线性定标方法得到,这是一种相对的定标方式。本文利用全球定位系统(Global Position System,GPS)无线电掩星资料对2010年全年...微波温度计(Microwave Temperature Sounder,MWTS)亮温资料是由观测的地球视场、冷空和暖体的计数值通过两点非线性定标方法得到,这是一种相对的定标方式。本文利用全球定位系统(Global Position System,GPS)无线电掩星资料对2010年全年MWTS亮温资料进行了两种在轨绝对定标校准。一种是计算晴空海洋上MWTS通道2~4观测亮温减去辐射传输模式(Community Radiative Transfer Model,CRTM)模拟亮温在15个不同扫描角度的统计偏差;另一种是通过线性回归获得每个扫描角度MWTS观测亮温和模拟亮温的线性关系,然后对MWTS观测亮温值进行订正。本文通过比较订正前后的MWTS亮温值减去用美国国家环境预报中心(National Centers for Environmental Prediction,NCEP)全球预报场资料(Global Forecast System,GFS)模拟亮温的差的统计特征对以上两种定标方式的有效性进行了检验。结果表明,经过GPS无线电掩星资料对MWTS资料进行在轨绝对定标后,MWTS观测的全球偏差显著减小,标准差也有所减小,且MWTS亮温资料偏差随通道和季节的变化特征也得到有效地消除。展开更多
The development of microwave sensors in recent two years in China are in troduced with an emphasis on spaceborne sensors without the applications in cluded. The microwave sensors as the main payloads to be boarded on ...The development of microwave sensors in recent two years in China are in troduced with an emphasis on spaceborne sensors without the applications in cluded. The microwave sensors as the main payloads to be boarded on the future operational satellites, such as FY-3 meteorological satellites and HY-2 marine satellite are introduced with much in detail. Besides these, four new sensors are outlined, i.e. the imaging radar altimeter,synthetic aperture radiometer, and polarimetric radiometer. Two recently conducted flight experiment campaigns are also introduced with results shown.展开更多
数值模式边界层物理过程和初值场条件的欠缺是海雾模拟准确率偏低的主要原因。本文为改进模式初始场,开展针对海雾模拟的卫星观测资料同化试验,将质量控制和偏差订正后的FY-3A卫星微波湿度计(MWHS)和微波温度计(MWTS)的优选通道数据,经3...数值模式边界层物理过程和初值场条件的欠缺是海雾模拟准确率偏低的主要原因。本文为改进模式初始场,开展针对海雾模拟的卫星观测资料同化试验,将质量控制和偏差订正后的FY-3A卫星微波湿度计(MWHS)和微波温度计(MWTS)的优选通道数据,经3DVar(Three-dimensional variational data assimilation)进入WRF模式以试验其对黄、渤海海雾模拟的影响。通过分析静止气象卫星检测到的海雾区模拟大气温、湿场同化分析增量,发现代表环境场条件的海雾类型及模式对其模拟能力的差异,显著影响了同化效果,表现为同化对模式模拟能力较强的平流冷型海雾改进明显,对模拟效果不甚理想的非典型混合过程中的暖型海雾阶段则基本没有改进效果。为寻找原因,对包括海雾区低层大气模拟场逆温结构在内的温湿度场与邻近探空观测进行了对比,分析了随时间演变的海雾格点温、湿场同化分析增量,发现冷型海雾区格点同化分析增量能弥补观测—模拟差异,使气温调减,相对湿度调增,同时水汽和液态水也出现负相关的变化,边界层相关热力动力场同化分析增量在垂直方向也有配合迹象,相比而言,主体是暖型海雾的非典型过程则未见此类现象和其他的有益调整迹象。展开更多
中国风云三号(FY-3)A星于2008年5月27日成功发射,其上装载的微波温度计(Microwave Temperature Sounder,MWTS)有4个通道,频率分别为50.3,53.596,54.94和57.29GHz,可提供地面至平流层下部的大气温度廓线信息。介绍了MWTS的仪器特征和定...中国风云三号(FY-3)A星于2008年5月27日成功发射,其上装载的微波温度计(Microwave Temperature Sounder,MWTS)有4个通道,频率分别为50.3,53.596,54.94和57.29GHz,可提供地面至平流层下部的大气温度廓线信息。介绍了MWTS的仪器特征和定标方法,对FY-3A发射后MWTS的仪器性能相关参数的长序列特征进行了监测分析,这些参数主要包括灵敏度、冷空和内部暖黑体的计数值、仪器温度和通道增益。通过再分析资料和微波辐射传输模拟,比较了FY-3A卫星MWTS与NOAA-18卫星先进微波温度探测器(Advanced Microwave Sounder Unit-A,AMSU-A)的观测和模拟的亮温偏差。结果表明,MWTS所有通道的灵敏度值优于其指标;通道1和3的亮温偏差与AMSU-A接近;通道2和4的偏差比AMSU-A要大一些。展开更多
The three-orbit constellation can comprehensively increase the spatial coverage of polar-orbiting satellites,but the polar-orbiting satellites currently in operation are only mid-morning-orbit and afternoon-orbit sate...The three-orbit constellation can comprehensively increase the spatial coverage of polar-orbiting satellites,but the polar-orbiting satellites currently in operation are only mid-morning-orbit and afternoon-orbit satellites.Fengyun-3E(FY-3E)was launched successfully on 5 July 2021 in China.As an early-morning-orbit satellite,FY-3E can help form a complete three-orbit observation system together with the mid-morning and afternoon satellites in the current mainstream operational system.In this study,we investigate the added benefit of FY-3E microwave sounding observations to the midmorning-orbit Meteorological Operational satellite-B(Met Op-B)and afternoon-orbit Fengyun-3D(FY-3D)microwave observations in the Chinese Meteorological Administration global forecast system(CMA-GFS).The results show that the additional FY-3E microwave temperature sounder-3(MWTS-3)and microwave humidity sounder-2(MWHS-2)data can increase the global coverage of microwave temperature and humidity sounding data by 14.8% and 10.6%,respectively.It enables the CMA-GFS to achieve nearly 100% global coverage of microwave-sounding observations at each analysis time.Furthermore,after effective quality control and bias correction,the global biases and standard deviations of the differences between observations and model simulations are also reduced.Based on the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit A and the Microwave Humidity Sounder onboard Met Op-B,and the MWTS-2 and MWHS-2 onboard FY-3D,adding the microwave sounding data of FY-3E can further reduce the errors of analysis results and improve the global prediction skills of CMA-GFS,especially for the southern-hemisphere forecasts within 96 hours,all of which are significant at the 95% confidence level.展开更多
The Microwave Temperature Sounder(MWTS)-2 has a total of 13 temperature-sounding channels with the capability of observing radiance emissions from near the surface to the stratosphere. Similar to the Advanced Technolo...The Microwave Temperature Sounder(MWTS)-2 has a total of 13 temperature-sounding channels with the capability of observing radiance emissions from near the surface to the stratosphere. Similar to the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder(ATMS), striping pattern noise, primarily in the cross-track direction, exists in MWTS-2 radiance observations. In this study, an algorithm based on principal component analysis(PCA) combined with ensemble empirical mode decomposition(EEMD) is described and applied to MWTS-2 brightness temperature observations. It is arguably necessary to smooth the first three principal component(PC) coefficients by removing the first four intrinsic mode functions(IMFs) using the EEMD method(denoted as PC3/IMF4). After the PC3/IMF4 noise mitigation, the striping pattern noise is effectively removed from the brightness temperature observations. The noise level in MWTS-2 observations is significantly higher than that detected in ATMS observations. In May 2014, the scanning profile of MWTS-2 was adjusted from varying-speed scanning to constantspeed scanning. The impact on striping noise levels brought on by this scan profile change is also analyzed here. The striping noise in brightness temperature observations worsened after the profile change. Regardless of the scan profile change, the striping noise mitigation method reported in this study can more or less suppress the noise levels in MWTS-2 observations.展开更多
为了探究云区卫星微波资料的同化应用,利用中国风云三号D星(Fengyun-3D,FY-3D)微波温度计二型(microwave temperature sounder-2,MWTS2)和微波湿度计二型(microwave humidity sounder-2,MWHS2)资料,基于人工神经网络算法研制了云区温湿...为了探究云区卫星微波资料的同化应用,利用中国风云三号D星(Fengyun-3D,FY-3D)微波温度计二型(microwave temperature sounder-2,MWTS2)和微波湿度计二型(microwave humidity sounder-2,MWHS2)资料,基于人工神经网络算法研制了云区温湿廓线反演模型,建立了云区资料的间接同化方案。于2019年6月开展晴空和云区同化试验,评估加入云区MWTS2和MWHS2资料对区域模式预报的影响。试验结果表明:MWTS2和MWHS2资料的同化对温湿度预报场有改善,主要体现在模式中高层均方根误差和平均偏差的减小,云区同化的改善幅度比晴空同化更大;同化MWTS2和MWHS2资料对于提高降水预报技巧有积极影响,云区同化对降水预报的改善主要体现在同化后的12~24 h,较晴空同化更明显。针对强降水个例分析表明,MWTS2和MWHS2资料对温度场、湿度场、水汽通量散度场的调整有利于降水预报的改善,而云区同化能够直接对天气系统的初始场进行调整,降水的位置与强度预报效果更好。展开更多
The Microwave Temperature Sounder 2(MWTS-2)is a cross-track radiometer that has 13 channels of sampling radiances emitted from different vertical levels of the atmosphere.Because of the varying scan angles of each fie...The Microwave Temperature Sounder 2(MWTS-2)is a cross-track radiometer that has 13 channels of sampling radiances emitted from different vertical levels of the atmosphere.Because of the varying scan angles of each field of view within a scan line,observations from the MWTS-2 are subject to strong scan-position-dependent features,i.e.,the limb effect.When examining brightness temperatures(TBs),weather signals observed at every temperature-sounding channel are often concealed by scan-dependent patterns.This study,therefore,proposes a limb correction method to remove scan-dependent features so that the underlying weather signals can be uncovered.Limb-corrected TBs can be used to monitor large-scale patterns over the globe as well as extreme weather events such as typhoons.Limb-corrected TBs are also more correlated with atmospheric physical variables such as temperature and liquid water path.展开更多
In operational data assimilation systems, observation-error covariance matrices are commonly assumed to be diagonal.However, inter-channel and spatial observation-error correlations are inevitable for satellite radian...In operational data assimilation systems, observation-error covariance matrices are commonly assumed to be diagonal.However, inter-channel and spatial observation-error correlations are inevitable for satellite radiances. The observation errors of the Microwave Temperature Sounder(MWTS) and Microwave Humidity Sounder(MWHS) onboard the FengYun-3A(FY-3A) and FY-3B satellites are empirically assigned and considered to be uncorrelated when they are assimilated into the WRF model's Community Variational Data Assimilation System(WRFDA). To assimilate MWTS and MWHS measurements optimally, a good characterization of their observation errors is necessary. In this study, background and analysis residuals were used to diagnose the correlated observation-error characteristics of the MWTS and MWHS. It was found that the error standard deviations of the MWTS and MWHS were less than the values used in the WRFDA. MWTS had small inter-channel errors, while MWHS had significant inter-channel errors. The horizontal correlation length scales of MWTS and MWHS were about 120 and 60 km, respectively. A comparison between the diagnosis for instruments onboard the two satellites showed that the observation-error characteristics of the MWTS or MWHS were different when they were onboard different satellites. In addition, it was found that the error statistics were dependent on latitude and scan positions.The forecast experiments showed that using a modified thinning scheme based on diagnosed statistics can improve forecast accuracy.展开更多
基金Acknowledgements This work was jointly supported by Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology project （No. 2010CB951600）, Chinese Ministry of Finance projects （GYHY200906006 and GYHY201106008）, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant No. 41005055）.
文摘The impact of Microwave Temperature Sounder （MWTS） radiances on the prediction of the Chinese Numerical Weather prediction （NWP） system-GRAPES （Global and Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System） with comparison of two Quality Control （QC） schemes was researched. The main differences between the two schemes are cloud detection, O-B （brightness temperature difference between observation and model simulation） check and thinning. To evaluate the impact of the two QC schemes on GRAPES, a typhoon case study and cycle experiments were conducted. In the typhoon case study, two experiments were conducted using both the new and old QC schemes. The results show that outliers are removed in the new QC while they exist in the old QC. The analysis and the model forecast are subsequently generated after assimilating data from the two QC schemes. The model-predicted steering flows more southward with the new QC scheme, and as a result, the forecast track in the experiments is more southward, i.e., closer to the best track than the old scheme. In addition to the case study, four impact cycle experiments were conducted for 25-day periods. The results show that the new QC scheme removed nearly all the biases whereas the old scheme could not. Furthermore, the mean and standard deviation of analysis increments with the new scheme is much smaller than those of O-B. In contrast, the old scheme values are either slightly smaller or the same. Verifications indicate that forecast skill is improved after applying the new scheme. The largest improvements are found in the Southern Hemisphere. According to the results above, MWTS with the new QC scheme can improve the GRAPES forecast.
基金This work was jointly supported by the China Special Fund for Meteorological Research in the Public Interest （No.GYHY201106008 and No. GYHY201406008）, project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant Nos. 91337218, 41475103, and 41375013）. The authors would like to acknowledge Prof. Qifeng Lu and Prof. Gang Ma for providing the new regression coefficients for the transmittance parameterization in the fast RTM and the FY-3B MWTS radiance data.
文摘Fengyun-3B （FY-3B） is the second polar- orbiting satellite in the new Fengyun-three series. This paper describes the assimilation of the FY-3B Microwave Temperature Sounder （MWTS） radiances in the Chinese Numerical Weather prediction system - the Global and Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System （GRAPES）. A quality control procedure for the assimilation of the FY- 3B MWTS radiance was proposed. Extensive monitoring before assimilation shows that the observations of channel 4 are notably contaminated. Channels 2 and 3 are used in this research. A cloud detection algorithm with an improved cloud-detection threshold is determined and incorporated into the impact experiments. The clear field- of-view （FOV） percentage increased from 42% to 57% with the new threshold. In addition, the newly added FOVs are located in the clear region, as demonstrated by the cloud liquid water path data from NOAA-18. The impact of the MWTS radiances on the prediction of GRAPES was researched. The observation biases ofFY-3B MWTS O-B （differences between satellite observations and model simulations） significantly decreased after an empirical bias correction procedure. After assimilation, the residual biases are small. The assimilation of the FY-3B MWTS radiances shows a positive impact in the Northern Hemisphere and a neutral impact in the Southern Hemisphere.
文摘微波温度计(Microwave Temperature Sounder,MWTS)亮温资料是由观测的地球视场、冷空和暖体的计数值通过两点非线性定标方法得到,这是一种相对的定标方式。本文利用全球定位系统(Global Position System,GPS)无线电掩星资料对2010年全年MWTS亮温资料进行了两种在轨绝对定标校准。一种是计算晴空海洋上MWTS通道2~4观测亮温减去辐射传输模式(Community Radiative Transfer Model,CRTM)模拟亮温在15个不同扫描角度的统计偏差;另一种是通过线性回归获得每个扫描角度MWTS观测亮温和模拟亮温的线性关系,然后对MWTS观测亮温值进行订正。本文通过比较订正前后的MWTS亮温值减去用美国国家环境预报中心(National Centers for Environmental Prediction,NCEP)全球预报场资料(Global Forecast System,GFS)模拟亮温的差的统计特征对以上两种定标方式的有效性进行了检验。结果表明,经过GPS无线电掩星资料对MWTS资料进行在轨绝对定标后,MWTS观测的全球偏差显著减小,标准差也有所减小,且MWTS亮温资料偏差随通道和季节的变化特征也得到有效地消除。
文摘The development of microwave sensors in recent two years in China are in troduced with an emphasis on spaceborne sensors without the applications in cluded. The microwave sensors as the main payloads to be boarded on the future operational satellites, such as FY-3 meteorological satellites and HY-2 marine satellite are introduced with much in detail. Besides these, four new sensors are outlined, i.e. the imaging radar altimeter,synthetic aperture radiometer, and polarimetric radiometer. Two recently conducted flight experiment campaigns are also introduced with results shown.
文摘数值模式边界层物理过程和初值场条件的欠缺是海雾模拟准确率偏低的主要原因。本文为改进模式初始场,开展针对海雾模拟的卫星观测资料同化试验,将质量控制和偏差订正后的FY-3A卫星微波湿度计(MWHS)和微波温度计(MWTS)的优选通道数据,经3DVar(Three-dimensional variational data assimilation)进入WRF模式以试验其对黄、渤海海雾模拟的影响。通过分析静止气象卫星检测到的海雾区模拟大气温、湿场同化分析增量,发现代表环境场条件的海雾类型及模式对其模拟能力的差异,显著影响了同化效果,表现为同化对模式模拟能力较强的平流冷型海雾改进明显,对模拟效果不甚理想的非典型混合过程中的暖型海雾阶段则基本没有改进效果。为寻找原因,对包括海雾区低层大气模拟场逆温结构在内的温湿度场与邻近探空观测进行了对比,分析了随时间演变的海雾格点温、湿场同化分析增量,发现冷型海雾区格点同化分析增量能弥补观测—模拟差异,使气温调减,相对湿度调增,同时水汽和液态水也出现负相关的变化,边界层相关热力动力场同化分析增量在垂直方向也有配合迹象,相比而言,主体是暖型海雾的非典型过程则未见此类现象和其他的有益调整迹象。
基金jointly supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2022YFC3004002)the Fengyun Application Pioneering Project(FY-APP-2021.0201)FY-3 Meteorological Satellite Ground Application System Project[FY-3(03)-AS-11.08]。
文摘The three-orbit constellation can comprehensively increase the spatial coverage of polar-orbiting satellites,but the polar-orbiting satellites currently in operation are only mid-morning-orbit and afternoon-orbit satellites.Fengyun-3E(FY-3E)was launched successfully on 5 July 2021 in China.As an early-morning-orbit satellite,FY-3E can help form a complete three-orbit observation system together with the mid-morning and afternoon satellites in the current mainstream operational system.In this study,we investigate the added benefit of FY-3E microwave sounding observations to the midmorning-orbit Meteorological Operational satellite-B(Met Op-B)and afternoon-orbit Fengyun-3D(FY-3D)microwave observations in the Chinese Meteorological Administration global forecast system(CMA-GFS).The results show that the additional FY-3E microwave temperature sounder-3(MWTS-3)and microwave humidity sounder-2(MWHS-2)data can increase the global coverage of microwave temperature and humidity sounding data by 14.8% and 10.6%,respectively.It enables the CMA-GFS to achieve nearly 100% global coverage of microwave-sounding observations at each analysis time.Furthermore,after effective quality control and bias correction,the global biases and standard deviations of the differences between observations and model simulations are also reduced.Based on the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit A and the Microwave Humidity Sounder onboard Met Op-B,and the MWTS-2 and MWHS-2 onboard FY-3D,adding the microwave sounding data of FY-3E can further reduce the errors of analysis results and improve the global prediction skills of CMA-GFS,especially for the southern-hemisphere forecasts within 96 hours,all of which are significant at the 95% confidence level.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program (Grant No. 2018YFC1506702)
文摘The Microwave Temperature Sounder(MWTS)-2 has a total of 13 temperature-sounding channels with the capability of observing radiance emissions from near the surface to the stratosphere. Similar to the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder(ATMS), striping pattern noise, primarily in the cross-track direction, exists in MWTS-2 radiance observations. In this study, an algorithm based on principal component analysis(PCA) combined with ensemble empirical mode decomposition(EEMD) is described and applied to MWTS-2 brightness temperature observations. It is arguably necessary to smooth the first three principal component(PC) coefficients by removing the first four intrinsic mode functions(IMFs) using the EEMD method(denoted as PC3/IMF4). After the PC3/IMF4 noise mitigation, the striping pattern noise is effectively removed from the brightness temperature observations. The noise level in MWTS-2 observations is significantly higher than that detected in ATMS observations. In May 2014, the scanning profile of MWTS-2 was adjusted from varying-speed scanning to constantspeed scanning. The impact on striping noise levels brought on by this scan profile change is also analyzed here. The striping noise in brightness temperature observations worsened after the profile change. Regardless of the scan profile change, the striping noise mitigation method reported in this study can more or less suppress the noise levels in MWTS-2 observations.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.91337218)
文摘The Microwave Temperature Sounder 2(MWTS-2)is a cross-track radiometer that has 13 channels of sampling radiances emitted from different vertical levels of the atmosphere.Because of the varying scan angles of each field of view within a scan line,observations from the MWTS-2 are subject to strong scan-position-dependent features,i.e.,the limb effect.When examining brightness temperatures(TBs),weather signals observed at every temperature-sounding channel are often concealed by scan-dependent patterns.This study,therefore,proposes a limb correction method to remove scan-dependent features so that the underlying weather signals can be uncovered.Limb-corrected TBs can be used to monitor large-scale patterns over the globe as well as extreme weather events such as typhoons.Limb-corrected TBs are also more correlated with atmospheric physical variables such as temperature and liquid water path.
基金funded by the National Basic Research (973) Program of China (Grant No. 2015CB452802)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41230421, 41605075, and 41675058)
文摘In operational data assimilation systems, observation-error covariance matrices are commonly assumed to be diagonal.However, inter-channel and spatial observation-error correlations are inevitable for satellite radiances. The observation errors of the Microwave Temperature Sounder(MWTS) and Microwave Humidity Sounder(MWHS) onboard the FengYun-3A(FY-3A) and FY-3B satellites are empirically assigned and considered to be uncorrelated when they are assimilated into the WRF model's Community Variational Data Assimilation System(WRFDA). To assimilate MWTS and MWHS measurements optimally, a good characterization of their observation errors is necessary. In this study, background and analysis residuals were used to diagnose the correlated observation-error characteristics of the MWTS and MWHS. It was found that the error standard deviations of the MWTS and MWHS were less than the values used in the WRFDA. MWTS had small inter-channel errors, while MWHS had significant inter-channel errors. The horizontal correlation length scales of MWTS and MWHS were about 120 and 60 km, respectively. A comparison between the diagnosis for instruments onboard the two satellites showed that the observation-error characteristics of the MWTS or MWHS were different when they were onboard different satellites. In addition, it was found that the error statistics were dependent on latitude and scan positions.The forecast experiments showed that using a modified thinning scheme based on diagnosed statistics can improve forecast accuracy.
