Global data assimilation by local optimum interpolation

"Over the past decade, the planners of the First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE)-have labored to assure that the meteorological observing system extant during the Experiment would provide truly global coverage on a nearly continuous basis. The mix of subsystems now planned includes geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites, buoys, constant-level balloons, and specially-instrumented commercial aircraft, in addition to the conventional radiosonde and surface-observing network. Data from these varied sources will exhibit widely varyinq characteristics with respect to parameters observed, distribution in space and time, and error levels. A flexible data assimilation system capable of intelligently blending these disparate observations into a complete and consistent numerical representation of the atmosphere is necessary"--Introduction. R. D. McPherson, K.H. Bergman, R.E. Kistler, G.E. Rasch, and D.S. Gordon. "March 1977." "This is an informal unreviewed manuscript, primarily intended for the exchange of information among NMC staff members." System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references (19-20). 1977 NWS (National Weather Service) Library Public Domain 1931