Chris Burrows

Senior Scientist
Research, Earth System Assimilation, Infrared Radiance Observations

Summary:

Chris Burrows is primarily working on the development of ECMWF's global data assimilation assimilation system with the aim of improving forecast skill by assimilating radiance observations from hyperspectral infrared satellite instruments. A major thread of his work is preparing for the upcoming EUMETSAT instruments MTG-IRS and IASI-NG.

Chris is actively involved with maintaining the operational assimilation of infrared sounders at ECMWF and he is a lecturer on the EUMETSAT/ECMWF NWP-SAF satellite data assimilation training course. He also develops the Cloud and Aerosol Detection Software package (CADS).

Professional interests:
  • The assimilation of satellite infrared radiance observations into global NWP.
  • Validation of observation data, including contributing to satellite cal/val activities.
  • Developing satellite assimilation methodology, including the diagnosis and specification of observation uncertainties.
  • Cloud and aerosol detection.
  • Assimilation of short-wave infrared radiance observations.
  • Principal component representation of infrared spectra.
  • Machine learning.
  • GNSS radio occultation.
Career background:
  • 2025-present: ECMWF (Senior Scientist).
  • 2020-2024: ECMWF (Scientist).
  • 2017-2020 ECMWF (EUMETSAT Research Fellow working on the assimilation of radiance observations from geostationary satellites).
  • 2010-2017:  Met Office (Scientist working on the assimilation of GNSS radio occultation data).