Dr Ruth Taylor
Ruth works on improving satellite image data assimilation capabilities at the Met Office.
Areas of expertise
- Satellite imagery
- Satellite radiance assimilation
Current activities
Ruth's work aims to enhance the use of satellite radiance observations in the weather forecasting process. These data are assimilated into the Unified Model in order to improve our NWP performance.
She is currently working on assimilation of clear-sky radiances from the SEVIRI instrument on board the EUMETSAT Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) series of satellites. These observations, images of the Earth's disc in both the solar and infrared spectral regions, contain temperature and humidity information at relatively high temporal resolution. This can positively influence Met Office Numerical Weather Prediction models's analyses of the Earth's atmosphere via a 4D-Var assimilation system, and hence improve our forecast skill.
Career background
Ruth has been working in the Met Office's Satellite Applications group since 2004, primarily carrying out research using MSG data. This has included work on one-dimensional (column) cloud retrievals from SEVIRI radiances and assimilation of retrieved cloud information in the forecast model.
Before this, she spent four years in the Met Office Hadley Centre, using limited-area climate models to investigate simulation of the hydrological cycle over Europe, and supporting users of the PRECIS model.
Ruth has a degree in Physics from Oxford University, and a PhD in Nuclear Structure Physics from the University of Manchester.