YOUNG SCIENTIST : Dr PRASHANT KUMAR
Dr Prashant Kumar, a distinguished Scientist-SF at the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has become a pivotal figure in advancing atmospheric science and weather forecasting in India. His research contributions in space applications and Earth system sciences have earned him the prestigious Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, which was given to him on 22 August 2024 by President of India, Droupadi Murmu. In the category of space science, Kumar shared the award with Dr Digendranath Swain of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre of ISRO.
Kumar’s expertise lies in the assimilation and application of satellite data for weather prediction. One of his significant contributions has been in the customisation and implementation of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and its three/four-dimensional variational data assimilation method, used for operational weather forecasts in India. These forecasts are disseminated from the Meteorological and Oceanographic Satellite Data Archival Centre (MOSDAC) at the SAC, ISRO, and are crucial for various sectors, including agriculture, aviation, and disaster management.
Kumar has played a vital role in providing weather forecasts for satellite launches from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in Sriharikota, ensuring the safety and success of ISRO’s space missions. His work has been instrumental in enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasts through satellite data, making him a key figure in the development of the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) system, which is currently used by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
INNOVATING NUMERICAL WEATHER PREDICTION MODELS
Kumar’s work on the application of satellite data in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models has had a profound impact on weather forecasting capabilities. He developed a procedure to assimilate all-sky radiances from SAPHIR on the Megha-Tropiques satellite, as well as from INSAT-3D and 3DR satellites, into the WRF model. These advancements have enabled more accurate predictions of cloud cover, precipitation, and temperature, improving the overall reliability of weather forecasts.
In addition to this, Kumar introduced a hybrid data-assimilation technique that has been successfully applied to the atmospheres of Mars and Venus. This breakthrough has not only contributed to Earth-based weather predictions but has also expanded our understanding of extraterrestrial weather systems, positioning India as a key player in planetary science.
His focus on developing methods to assimilate non-Gaussian and non-linear satellite observations into NWP models using advanced techniques like the particle filter has further enhanced the precision of weather models. This innovation allows for the incorporation of complex data, such as cloud and rain observations, into weather prediction models, thereby improving forecasts for extreme weather events like thunderstorms and cyclones.
SATELLITE-BASED OBSERVATIONS AND THEIR IMPACT
Kumar’s research extends to evaluating the impact of various satellite observations on weather prediction models. He has conducted extensive observation sensitivity experiments (OSE) using data from multiple satellites, such as Oceansat-2 and Scatterometer (SCATSat-1), as well as atmospheric motion vectors from Kalpana-1, INSAT-3D, and INSAT-3DR. His work with temperature and moisture profiles from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) has been crucial for improving weather predictions.
By performing sensitivity tests for land-surface parameters derived from Indian satellites, such as vegetation fraction from INSAT-3A and land surface albedo from Kalpana-1, Kumar has contributed to the optimisation of satellite-based weather models. His research has improved the accuracy of weather forecasts by integrating satellite-derived data on land and ocean conditions into predictive models.
