Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Branch

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