Analyzing Significant Precipitation Events Using
GOES-R and JPSS Products (134)
Michael Folmer, UMD/ESSIC/CICS,
College Park, MD
Andrew Orrison, NOAA/NWS/NCEP/WPC
Sarah Perfater, WPC/HMT
Benjamin Albright, WPC/HMT
Mark Klein, NOAA/NWS/NCEP/WPC
Abstract:
The GOES-R and JPSS Proving
Ground Programs were conceived to demonstrate and familiarize forecasters with
the next generation geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite products and capabilities
that will be incorporated into NOAA operations. These satellite product
demonstrations at the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) and Satellite Analysis
Branch (SAB) of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information
Service (NESDIS) have concentrated on heavy precipitation challenges that
impact daily operations. Since the launch of Himawari-8, GOES-16, and recently,
NOAA-20, many new forecasts products are available to forecasters at WPC and
SAB to enhance the analysis and prediction of significant heavy precipitation
events. The CIRA Layered Precipitable Water product has been used in both
operations and the Flash Flood and Intense Rainfall (FFAIR) Experiment to
identify moisture plumes and/or atmospheric rivers in different layers that
could deliver excessive rainfall. The Quantitative Precipitation Estimate (QPE)
and Rainfall Rate product as part of the GOES-R suite of products is still in
the process of being introduced to operations, but can be used to estimate
rainfall in poorly-observed regions. The NESDIS Snowfall Rate product has been
used to improve diagnosis of heavy snow aloft that will eventually impact
downstream areas. It has also been featured as a method of verification for
snowfall rate forecasts in the Winter Weather Experiment at WPC. Additional
products will be assessed as they become available in operations, including
convective products to short term, intense rainfall and training cells
(Overshooting Top Algorithm or multispectral imagery). This presentation will highlight
some of the first uses of these new and in some cases, improved satellite
products to address these forecast challenges.