Live Simulated All-Sky Camera Images with Clouds and Aerosols | Purpose | Gallery | Cases

Real-time visually and physically realistic sky (cloud and land) simulations are being produced from current weather data, analyzed to produce 3-D hydrometeor/aerosol fields using an enhanced version of the Local Analysis and Prediction System. This is running over a Colorado 500 meter resolution domain. The analysis uses geostationary satellite (including IR and 500m resolution visible imagery, updated every 5 minutes), METARs, radar, aircraft, PM2.5, and model first guess information to produce 3-D fields of cloud liquid, cloud ice, rain, snow, and aerosol extinction. Several land surface fields are also produced. The 500m grid resolution takes advantage of the 500m satellite resolution in the visible wavelengths. The gridded fields are converted using a fast 3D radiative transfer (ray-tracing) technique into an all-sky image. Details on the techniques behind these simulations can be found in this journal article along with this powerpoint presentation. These visualizations have also been made with analyses of present weather from LAPS & GSI along with forecasts from LAPS, WRF, FIM, CSU/RAMS, NAVGEM, and HRRR. Preliminary camera assimilation work is being done using cloud mask algorithm output. Other variational assimilation (4DVAR), directly using visible and IR radiance information (e.g. at a 1-minute cadence) from cameras and satellites in a tomographic fashion is being proposed for use in various systems.

The image above on the left is simulated from the LAPS cloud/aerosol analysis including satellite, camera, and other data, while the image on the right is taken by an EKO Instruments independent all-sky camera located at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at the same time. In each fisheye lens view the zenith is in the center and north is up. The color balance of the simulated image is set to reproduce the "actual" colors/radiances when the display white point is set to closely match the sun. Thus to see a true apples to apples comparison (if for example you take your computer outside or right by a window), please set your display to a color temperature of 5780K (the sun's white color above the atmosphere). Some images are shown a bit dark to avoid saturating and losing details on the bright end. This can be compensated for by turning up your monitor brightness, thus showing a broader dynamic range.

SE represents solar elevation angle in the legend and COD represents zenithal cloud optical depth from the cloud analysis. The simulated solar irradiance (GHI) is in the lower left of the simulated image in W/m^2. The first number is from the cloud analysis where GHI is calculated as a 2D field, while the second number is based on an angular integration of the simulated sky image. These can be compared with the GHI in the right hand image measured with a pyranometer.

Select Site — ATOC | NREL | LAS | RadioMetrics | Crested Butte | Solar Hills | Altona | BAO Tower (site is NREL)

Latest all-sky comparison difference image | mask

Latest comparison animations (site is NREL): Polar | Cylindrical

In these 360 degree panoramic (all-sky) views, a simulated cloud/aerosol analysis (using satellite though no camera) image is shown (top) compared with a remapped independent camera image (second) from an all-sky camera located at NREL.

Latest Camera (SRRL) | (Moore Tornado)

Archive Directories (site is NREL): Polar Cam | Cylindrical Cam | Polar Comparison | Polar Blinking | Cylindrical Comparison | Diff Mask | Cam Modified Cyl

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More visualizations are on my main home page | Contact: Steve Albers (Steven.Albers@colostate.edu)