LVT_MEAN_FINAL from Data Assimilation mostly empty over domain

[dfrancis827]

I am attempting to conduct data assimilation using SMAP L3 data over a domain that spans the state of Kentucky. The steps I am following are identical to those shown through the Test Case tutorial. Additionally, I have been able to successfully complete the tutorial, which indicates to me that my executables (LIS, LDT, and LVT) are working properly. However, when I reach the point where I am using LVT to do Data Intercomparison between OL and Data assimilated runs, I am able to get data from the first LVT run which compares the OL NOAH 3.6 model run vs SMAP Data Assimilated runs but am unable to get data from the second LVT run which looks solely at "LIS DAOBS". Additionally, I do have LIS DAOBS output from the LIS DA run. The second LVT run is the run which is outputting the .nc file "LVT_MEAN_FINAL_" which has some populated mean data sparsely scattered throughout my domain, but a vast majority of the domain is unpopulated which I believe is leading me to be unable to view SMAP observations when plotting OL vs DA vs OBS as shown in the final step of the tutorial. I have attached two images for reference. The first image is the LVT_MEAN_FINAL for LISDAOBS over the tutorial domain, while the second image is LVT_MEAN_FINAL for LISDAOBS over my Kentucky domain. As shown in the images, the Kentucky domain is sparsely populated as compared to the tutorial domain.

Any recommendation as to what could be causing the LISDAOBS to be so sparsely populated over the Kentucky domain as compared to the tutorial domain would be greatly appreciated.

LISDAOBS LVT_MEAN_FINAL over Tutorial Domain

LISDAOBS LVT_MEAN_FINAL over Kentucky Domain