Satellite data assimilation for air quality forecast

International audienceThis paper presents results from a study led prior to the launch of the EPS-MetOp satellite in October 2006. It aims at assessing the feasibility of assimilating MetOp troposphere ozone soundings within a regional chemistry-transport model, in view of improving air quality forecast in the lowest layers of the troposphere. The paper furthermore analyses the computational complexity of assimilating satellite data, and concludes on the necessity of providing grid support to satellite data assimilation