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Assessing Consistency of Microwave Sounding Data from FY-3 and NOAA Satellites for Climate Applications.

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Title: Assessing Consistency of Microwave Sounding Data from FY-3 and NOAA Satellites for Climate Applications.
Authors: Guo, Yanjun1 (AUTHOR) gyj@cma.gov.cn, Dai, Tanlong1 (AUTHOR), Wang, Minyan2 (AUTHOR), An, Dawei3 (AUTHOR), Yao, Shuang4 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Peng5,6 (AUTHOR) zhangp@cma.gov.cn, Weng, Fuzhong2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Meteorological Research. Apr2026, Vol. 40 Issue 2, p471-487. 17p.
Subject Terms: *Brightness temperature, *Meteorological satellites, *Data harmonization
Geographic Terms: China
Company/Entity: United States. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Abstract (English): Since the launch of China's Fengyun-3 (FY-3) satellite series in 2008, the on-board Microwave Temperature Sounders (MWTS) have provided critical atmospheric sounding data for numerical weather prediction and extreme weather monitoring. However, their application in climate research remains limited. To establish long-term Fundamental Climate Data Records (FCDRs) for FY-3 satellites—the core foundation of climate research—a comprehensive assessment of data consistency between China's FY-3 satellites and the U.S. NOAA satellites is essential. This study systematically evaluates the inter-satellite consistency between FY-3 MWTS observations and three datasets of NOAA FCDRs, focusing on comparison of brightness temperatures and their anomalies over the extended period of 2009–2024. In accordance with the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) requirements (GCOS-245), the accuracy and stability of both operational and recalibrated FY-3 brightness temperatures are quantified on a global grid scale, using multiple statistical metrics including root mean square error (RMSE), standard deviation (SD), bias, and linear trend. The key findings are as follows. (1) FY-3 MWTS observations can effectively capture the characteristic seasonal cycles and vertical atmospheric structures of brightness temperatures, confirming their basic reliability in climate-related analyses. (2) Significant discontinuities in brightness temperatures are observed in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere for earlier FY-3 satellites (FY-3A/3B/3C), indicating limitations in their long-term climate consistency, while newer satellites (FY-3D/3E/3F) show substantially improved consistency with NOAA FCDRs. (3) The recalibrated data of FY-3D exhibit a marked quality improvement, with RMSE reduced by 60% compared to FY-3D operational observations, and this recalibrated FY-3D dataset is recommended as the preferred choice for climate applications. (4) Even the operational (non-recalibrated) brightness temperature data of FY-3D achieves remarkable consistency with global benchmarks, boasting a global mean accuracy of 0.270 ± 0.039 K, which fully meets the accuracy thresholds specified by GCOS for ECVs. (5) For specific MWTS channels, the global mean brightness temperatures of Channel 4 (over oceans), Channel 6, and Channel 9 generally meet the stability requirements for climate monitoring, further supporting their utility in long-term climate studies. (6) Larger RMSEs of FY-3D operational data are identified in two key regions: the stratosphere over high latitudes and the mid troposphere over topographically complex areas (e.g., the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau, the Andes Mountains, and parts of Africa). These discrepancies are attributed to two technical factors: non-linearity in the MWTS calibration process and orbital drift of the FY-3 satellites. This study validates the climate monitoring capabilities of FY-3 MWTS observations, clarifies key directions for data quality improvement, and lays an important foundation for the transformation of this data from product generation to climate applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Chinese): 摘要: 自2008年中国风云三号(FY-3)系列卫星首次成功发射以来,其搭载的微波温度计(MWTS)为数值天气预报和极端天气监测提供了关键的大气垂直探测数据。然而,这些数据在气候研究中的应用仍然有限。为了建立风云三号长期的基础气候数据集(FCDRs),对中国FY-3卫星与美国国家海洋和大气管理局NOAA卫星对应数据之间的一致性进行全面评估至关重要。本研究系统评估了风云卫星观测数据与三套NOAA卫星基础气候数据集的一致性。研究对标2022年全球气候观测系统(GCOS)基本气候变量(ECV)要求(GCOS-245),重点分析了FY-3 MWTS观测亮温和距平(2009–2024年),采用均方根误差(RMSE)、标准差(SD)、偏差和线性趋势等多重统计指标,在全球网格尺度上定量分析FY-3 MWTS业务观测和再定标资料的准确性与稳定性。得到结论如下:(1)FY-3 MWTS观测能够有效捕捉气温季节循环和垂直结构特征,具备气候监测可靠性;(2)早期风云卫星(FY-3A/3B/3C)对流层上层和平流层低层观测存在显著不连续性,新一代卫星(FY-3D/3E/3F)与NOAA参考序列的一致性明显提升;(3)FY-3D再定标数据较定标前准确性显著提高, RMSE比业务观测降低了60%。因此,推荐将再定标数据作为气候应用的首选资料;(4)FY-3D业务观测与NOAA参考序列一致度较高,全球平均准确性达0.270 ± 0.039K,满足GCOS-245准确度阈值要求;(5)针对特定MWTS通道,即通道4海洋上空、通道6与通道9全球平均业务观测满足稳定性阈值要求,可应用于气候变化研究;(6)受定标非线性与卫星轨道漂影响,FY-3D业务观测在平流层高纬度地区和对流层中层复杂地形区域(如青藏高原、安第斯山脉和非洲部分地区)存在较大偏差。本研究既证实FY-3 MWTS观测数据具备气候监测能力,又为数据质量提升指明改进方向,有效推进了风云三号卫星微波观测资料在气候领域的应用。 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
Description
Abstract:Since the launch of China's Fengyun-3 (FY-3) satellite series in 2008, the on-board Microwave Temperature Sounders (MWTS) have provided critical atmospheric sounding data for numerical weather prediction and extreme weather monitoring. However, their application in climate research remains limited. To establish long-term Fundamental Climate Data Records (FCDRs) for FY-3 satellites—the core foundation of climate research—a comprehensive assessment of data consistency between China's FY-3 satellites and the U.S. NOAA satellites is essential. This study systematically evaluates the inter-satellite consistency between FY-3 MWTS observations and three datasets of NOAA FCDRs, focusing on comparison of brightness temperatures and their anomalies over the extended period of 2009–2024. In accordance with the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) requirements (GCOS-245), the accuracy and stability of both operational and recalibrated FY-3 brightness temperatures are quantified on a global grid scale, using multiple statistical metrics including root mean square error (RMSE), standard deviation (SD), bias, and linear trend. The key findings are as follows. (1) FY-3 MWTS observations can effectively capture the characteristic seasonal cycles and vertical atmospheric structures of brightness temperatures, confirming their basic reliability in climate-related analyses. (2) Significant discontinuities in brightness temperatures are observed in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere for earlier FY-3 satellites (FY-3A/3B/3C), indicating limitations in their long-term climate consistency, while newer satellites (FY-3D/3E/3F) show substantially improved consistency with NOAA FCDRs. (3) The recalibrated data of FY-3D exhibit a marked quality improvement, with RMSE reduced by 60% compared to FY-3D operational observations, and this recalibrated FY-3D dataset is recommended as the preferred choice for climate applications. (4) Even the operational (non-recalibrated) brightness temperature data of FY-3D achieves remarkable consistency with global benchmarks, boasting a global mean accuracy of 0.270 ± 0.039 K, which fully meets the accuracy thresholds specified by GCOS for ECVs. (5) For specific MWTS channels, the global mean brightness temperatures of Channel 4 (over oceans), Channel 6, and Channel 9 generally meet the stability requirements for climate monitoring, further supporting their utility in long-term climate studies. (6) Larger RMSEs of FY-3D operational data are identified in two key regions: the stratosphere over high latitudes and the mid troposphere over topographically complex areas (e.g., the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau, the Andes Mountains, and parts of Africa). These discrepancies are attributed to two technical factors: non-linearity in the MWTS calibration process and orbital drift of the FY-3 satellites. This study validates the climate monitoring capabilities of FY-3 MWTS observations, clarifies key directions for data quality improvement, and lays an important foundation for the transformation of this data from product generation to climate applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:20956037
DOI:10.1007/s13351-026-5223-5