Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch

Water Vapor Channel Satellite Imagery

Introduction

This VISIT teletraining lesson will review remote sensing aspects of the “water vapor” channel, highlight changes made to the water vapor channel on the GOES-12 and GOES-13 imager, and discuss basic applications of water vapor channel imagery to weather analysis and forecasting.

Training Session Options

NOAA/NWS students – to begin the training, use the web-based video, YouTube video, or audio playback options below (if present for this session). Certificates of completion for NOAA/NWS employees can be obtained by accessing the session via the Commerce Learn Center

1. Audio playback (recommended for low-bandwidth users) – This is an audio playback version in the form of a downloadable VISITview and can be taken at anytime.Create a directory to download the audio playback file (270 MB) from the following link: http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/training/visit/training_sessions/water_vapor_channel_satellite_imagery/water_vapor_channel_satellite_imagery_audio.exe

   After extracting the files into that directory click on either the visitplay.bat or visitauto.bat file to start the lesson. If both files are present, use visitauto.bat

References/Additional Links

• Water Vapor Imagery – Interpretation and Applications to Weather Analysis and Forecasting, R. B. Weldon and S.J. Holmes, NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 57, April 1991.
• Introducing GOES-12
• Cyclogenesis: Analysis Utilizing Geostationary Satellite Imagery
• Satellite Meteorology: GOES Channel Selection
• CIMSS enhancement for AWIPS water vapor channel imagery
• GOES Weighting Functions (CIMSS)
• GOES High Density Winds (NESDIS)
• GOES Water Vapor Winds (Experimental – CIMSS/NSSL)
• GOES Sounder Total Column Ozone products
• MODIS Direct Broadcast real-time satellite imagery (select from either Terra or Aqua satellite) — includes water vapor channel (“Band 27”) imagery