Content area
Full text
ABSTRACT
This paper utilizes a severe thunderstorm case from 24 July 2000 to demonstrate the relevance of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) rapid-scan imagery and sounder data in the short-range forecasting and nowcasting time frames. Results show how these data can be employed quickly and effectively during the warning decision-making process. Various aspects of the severe storm environment are identified that could only be diagnosed in this case using satellite data.
The data used in this study are unique in that the imager and sounder input both come from one of the newest of the geostationary satellites, GOES-lI. The datasets were collected as a part of the satellite's 6-week science test. During this test period, continuous ]-min imagery and 30-min sounder data were available. The new satellite has now been placed on standby and will be put in service when either GOES-East or GOES-West fails.
Two new high-resolution satellite products are presented that are currently in the developmental phase. These will be field tested and implemented within the next couple of years.
1. Introduction
On 27 April 1994, the first of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) current series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, GOES-8, was launched. After an initial system testing period-known as the GOES-8 science test-the satellite was placed in equatorial orbit at approximately 75'W where it is currently performing routine operations. Since then, three other satellites in this series have been launched: GOES-9 (launched 23 May 1995; status, now on standby with mechanical difficulties), GOES10 (launched 25 April 1997; status, conducting routine operations at 135'W), and GOES-H (launched 3 May 2000; status, currently on standby in orbit, following its 6-week science test).1 All of the current geostationary satellites are fitted with instruments that provide frequent scans of the Western Hemisphere in 5 imager and 19 sounder channels (18 thermal infrared, and 1 visible).
The science test period for GOES-11 ran from 30 June to 13 August 2000. The first half of the 6-week period was devoted to testing system components and optimizing instrument performance; the latter half focused on capturing real-time weather events. During the second half of the experiment, the default scanning schedule called for the imager to routinely collect 5-min-- interval imagery over the continental United States (CONUS),...