福爾摩沙衛星七號(FORMOSAT-7)已於2019年6月25日成功發射，接續即將除役的福爾摩沙衛星三號(FORMOSAT-3)，目前每日可提供多達5000筆全球南北緯45度以內的高解析度大氣掩星觀測資料，其中偏折角或折射率可直接同化於大氣模式，增進模式初始場的準確度，並可反演出垂直溫、溼度剖面，大量補足傳統觀測的時空之不足，對於全球及區域大氣分析帶來明顯的助益。為了延續福三的科研成果，同時積極強化福七觀測資料的應用，本計畫提出三年的整合研究計畫，結合大氣學界及作業單位相關的同仁，組成堅實的研究團隊，規劃7項研究子題，包含學界與作業單位的全球與區域模式掩星資料同化效益與預報的改善、掩星資料對西南氣流與熱帶氣旋生成模擬的影響、掩星資料應用於短期氣候及全球天氣的分析、掩星資料反演的溫度及水氣分析與驗證。由於大多數福七掩星觀測可穿越至極低層500公尺以內，可以提供非常有用的大氣邊界層溫、濕度探空，本計畫尋求創新與突破性的嘗試，在改善同化系統、觀測算子、掩星資料利用最佳化，進行模式與觀測整合研究，有效提升模式初始場水氣分析的精確度，亟求改善劇烈降雨的預報技術，發揮福七資料於增進民生福祉的最大效益。 ;FORMOSAT-7 has been successfully launched on 25 June 2019 to replenish decommissioning FORMOSAT-3 and can provide up to 5000 high-resolution atmospheric soundings within 45oN and 45oS from RO observations where both derived bending angle and refractivity can be directly assimilated into atmospheric models to increase model initial accuracy and the retrieved vertical temperature and moisture profiles can largely supplement the insufficiency of traditional soundings and will be helpful for global and regional analyses of the atmosphere. For continuing the accomplishments and improvements on RO research and application from FORMOSAT-3, we team up academic and operational researchers and jointly submit a three-year integrated project consisting of total seven subprojects for seeking for vigorous improvements including RO data impacts on regional and global model assimilation and prediction at CWB and academic institutes, RO beneficial influence on simulations of tropical cyclogenesis and southwesterly flow, RO data application to large-scale weather analysis as well as analysis and verification of RO retrieved temperature and water vapor. Most RO penetration of FORMOSAT-7 can reach deeper to 500 meters, which will be helpful for providing temperature and moisture soundings of the planetary boundary layer. This project aims to deliver scientific innovation and attempt by ameliorating data assimilation systems, developing refinement of RO observation operators and optimization of RO data usage, as well as integrating both modeling and observation for enhancing the model initial analysis of water vapor in order to improve the prediction skill of heavy rainfall as to maximize the benefits of FORMOSAT-7 RO data on civil well-being with reduced disaster impacts.
