Cloud Nowcasting Data/Model Fusion

Navy STTR 23.A - Topic N23A-T025
ONR - Office of Naval Research
Pre-release 1/11/23   Opens to accept proposals 2/08/23   Closes 3/08/23 12:00pm ET    [ View Q&A ]

N23A-T025   TITLE: Cloud Nowcasting Data/Model Fusion

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML); Autonomy; General Warfighting Requirements (GWR)

OBJECTIVE: Develop an algorithmic tool for the seamless assessment of previous, current and short term forecast (0-24 h) atmospheric cloud characteristics such as ceiling, thickness, and optical depth for single and multiple overlapping cloud fields using machine learning methods to combine satellite based environmental monitoring (SBEM) analysis information, ground based remote sensing, and numerical weather prediction model fields.

DESCRIPTION: Despite increasing complexity and accuracy of weather forecast models, tools for their use in diagnosing cloud and visibility characteristics are relatively unsophisticated. Many use cases assume a relatively static cloud field based on available satellite analysis data, climatological occurrence of cloud locations, or derived numerical weather prediction output (such as relative humidity fields). Using state of the art technology, this STTR topic seeks to bridge the gap between cloud analysis by satellite and forecasts from numerical modeling by using machine learning techniques and other data fusion capabilities to improve forecast uncertainty and cloud representation through a 24 hour forecast lead-time. Effort should focus on improved post processing of cloud characteristics in numerical modeling as well as techniques to seamlessly morph a true cloud analysis field from satellite into the predicted field. Implementation should take advantage of modern software strategies, including concise data presentation and intuitive user interface to display custom visualization of clouds from any 3 dimensional angle.

PHASE I: Determine and demonstrate the technical capability to smoothly transition observed satellite observations of cloud cover into simulated cloud (or meteorological variables interpreted as cloud) forecasts. Work should identify methodological details to preserve the physical structure of observed cloud visibility characteristics, aesthetics and ease of interpretation, and incorporation of probabilistic information for metrics of uncertainty and/or alternate future scenarios. Skill with respect to aviation needs should be enumerated (e.g., accuracy of cloud ceilings, error in horizontal and vertical positioning, treatment of overlapping cloud layers) given validating data from ground lidar or other full atmosphere representation. Develop a final summary report, including literature review and overall conclusions/recommendations, to be presented at the end of this Phase. Develop a Phase II plan.

PHASE II: Expanded technical development and validation of a robust prototype system of seamless historical, current, and future cloud state. Effort should be focused on 1) maturing complex machine learning algorithms that improve forecast representation of clouds given observed satellite cloud state (including advective schemes such as optical flow, clustering of cloud types, and texture analyses), 2) adding additional data sources and expanded spatial domain to prove application to any global location, and 3) iterating on accuracy and ease of user interface in display of cloud fields. Given the need to add many different satellite platforms and forecast model data, substantial subtasks on developing generic data reader capabilities and automated metadata generation and labeling are anticipated. While the code itself may need nominal high performance computing to run, output of prototype algorithm should be capable of being visualized on a standard laptop or cellphone with modest data bandwidth (such as by tiling). It is anticipated that the prototype data output and software package will be compatible with running from open source python data analysis libraries at the conclusion of Phase II efforts. Delivery of a prototype software package and final verification report is expected at the end of this Phase.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: This development will result in valuable knowledge and technology advances for the entire meteorological analysis and forecasting community, as well as downstream applications. Further follow-on Phase II efforts include expansion of observational and remote sensing datasets used to generate and validate the algorithmic tool, software refinements and hardening based on real-world operational constraints (such as data latency and drop outs, quality issues, etc.), and further tests of blending code to similar meteorological variables (such as atmospheric water constituents). DoD, civil, and private aviation will particularly benefit by having a state-of-the-art product aimed at understanding cloud visibility evolution at all stages of flight operations, from take-off through ferry and landing. Naval applications will particularly benefit by the significant increase in specific environmental data and available at any point where the Naval aircraft operations can occur. Other civil and commercial applications will benefit from enhanced data streams and software implementations for broad aviation and visibility applications, improved predictability in weather forecasts, and increased cross-over between civil and commercial satellite remote sensing activities. This effort has the potential to fill a data gap in all aspects of meteorological analysis as well as provide a foundation for additional data fusion opportunities.

REFERENCES:

1.       Mecikalski, John R., et al. "Probabilistic 0�1-h convective initiation nowcasts that combine geostationary satellite observations and numerical weather prediction model data." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 54.5 (2015): 1039-1059.

2.       Veillette, Mark S., et al. "Creating synthetic radar imagery using convolutional neural networks." Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology 35.12 (2018): 2323-2338.

3.       Wang, Chenxi, et al. "A machine-learning-based cloud detection and thermodynamic-phase classification algorithm using passive spectral observations." Atmospheric Measurement Techniques 13.5 (2020): 2257-2277.

4.       Nachamkin, Jason E., et al. "Classification and Evaluation of Stable and Unstable Cloud Forecasts." Monthly Weather Review 150.1 (2021): 81-98.

 

KEYWORDS: meteorology; weather; clouds; visibility; nowcasting; forecasting; numerical weather prediction; Satellite Based Environmental Monitoring; SBEM; satellite; remote sensing; data fusion; machine learning; optical flow; visualization; metadata; aviation


** TOPIC NOTICE **

The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoD 23.A STTR BAA. Please see the official DoD Topic website at www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/#announcements for any updates.

The DoD issued its Navy 23.A STTR Topics pre-release on January 11, 2023 which opens to receive proposals on February 8, 2023, and closes March 8, 2023 (12:00pm ET).

Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (January 11, 2023 thru February 7, 2023) proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. Once DoD begins accepting proposals on February 8, 2023 no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period.

SITIS Q&A System: After the pre-release period, and until February 22, 2023, (at 12:00 PM ET), proposers may submit written questions through SITIS (SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System) at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/, login and follow instructions. In SITIS, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing.

Topics Search Engine: Visit the DoD Topic Search Tool at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ to find topics by keyword across all DoD Components participating in this BAA.

Help: If you have general questions about the DoD SBIR/STTR program, please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk via email at [email protected]

Topic Q & A

2/21/23  Q. Will satellite data be provided? If so, will validation data also be provided such as ground lidar? If not, is there a region of interest for forecasting?
   A. Will satellite data be provided?
  • No. For the Phase I, proposers are expected to scope and source the appropriate open/available satellite data for their proposed methodology. Should work proceed into a Phase II, we expect a dialog on how to apply the methodology to other datasets if needed.

  • If so, will validation data also be provided such as ground lidar?
  • No. Validation data will also depend on the scope of the methodology. Large scale algorithms will differ from very high resolution work. Validation methodology will depend on the spatial and temporal scales proposed.

  • If not, is there a region of interest for forecasting?
  • The goal is to apply this work where Naval interests operate. So, global maritime and coastal areas are within the scope of this work.

  • [ Return ]