Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch

1-minute Visible Satellite Imagery Applications for Severe Thunderstorms

Introduction

Starting with the GOES-R satellite, high temporal resolution (1-minute or 30-second) imagery will be available in AWIPS on a routine basis. This training session focuses on applications of 1-minute (or 30-second) imagery for analysis of severe thunderstorms. GOES-R high temporal resolution imagery will enable mesoanlysis of the pre-storm environment and monitoring the changing environment during the nowcast to warning decision making time period that is not possible with the current scanning (RSO, 8 images per hour) schedule. After taking the training, we recommend going through the blog entries listed below (under the “References/Additional Links” section) for recent events.

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 (104 MB) from the following link: http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/training/visit/training_sessions/1_minute_visible_satellite_imagery_applications_for_severe_thunderstorms/1_minute_visible_satellite_imagery_applications_for_severe_thunderstorms_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

2. YouTube video:

References/Additional Links

Blog entries

• VISIT blog entry for 4 June 2015 GOES 1-minute visible imagery and time-lapse video
• VISIT blog entry for 1-minute GOES-14 SRSOR on May 20, 2014
• VISIT blog entry for 1-minute GOES-14 SRSOR on May 21, 2014
• CIRA GOES-R Proving Ground blog entry for 1-minute GOES-14 SRSOR on May 11, 2014
• VISIT blog entry for 1-minute GOES-14 SRSOR on May 8, 2014
• VISIT blog entry for 1-minute GOES-14 SRSOR on June 6, 2012

• GOES Imagery for Forecasting Severe Weather
• Use of GOES RSO imagery with other Remote Sensor Data for Diagnosing Severe Weather across the CONUS (RSO 3)
• Mesoscale Analysis of Convective Weather Using GOES RSO Imagery
• Timothy J. Schmit, Steven J. Goodman, Mathew M. Gunshor, Justin Sieglaff, Andrew K. Heidinger, A. Scott Bachmeier, Scott S. Lindstrom, Amanda Terborg, Joleen Feltz, Kaba Bah, Scott Rudlosky, Daniel T. Lindsey, Robert M. Rabin, and Christopher C. Schmidt, 2015: Rapid Refresh Information of Significant Events: Preparing Users for the Next Generation of Geostationary Operational Satellites. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 96, 561–576.
• Schmit, T.J. and co-authors, 2013: Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-14)-14 super rapid scan operations to prepare for GOES-R. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing. 7(1), 073462 (Dec. 16, 2013). doi:10.1117/1.JRS.7.073462.
• Weaver, J.F., Dostalek, J., Motta, B.C., and J.F.W. Purdom, 2000: Severe thunderstorms on 31 May 1996: A satellite training case. Natl. Wea. Dig., 23, 3-19.
• Weaver, J.F., Knaff, J.A., Bikos, D., Wade, G.S., and J.M. Daniels, 2002: Satellite Observations of a Severe Supercell Thunderstorm on 24 July 2000 Made during the GOES-11 Science Test. Wea. Forecasting, 17(1), 124-138.
• CIMSS SRSOR links