The National Weather Service GOES-R Satellite Series
Mesoscale Domain Sector Request Process (174)
Eric Guillot, NWS
Office of Observations / Integrity Applications Incorporated, Silver Spring, MD
Brian Gockel, NWS
Office of Observations
Kathryn Mozer, NOAA/NESDIS/OSPO/SPSD
Joe Zajic, NWS
Office of Observations / Integrity Applications Incorporated
Brian Rapp, NWS Office
of Observations / Integrity Applications Incorporated
Abstract:
The Advanced Baseline Imager
(ABI) on the GOES-R Series of geostationary satellites has the capability to
scan two different sub-CONUS areas at a one-minute refresh rate. These
mesoscale domain sectors (MDSs) provide National Weather Service (NWS)
forecasters and other users of GOES-R series data with unprecedented temporal
resolution of meteorological phenomenon. However, the flexibility in the
positioning of the ABI MDSs, compounded by a diversity of weather hazards,
requires a systematic process to ensure competing forecaster needs are met and
that the satellite's capabilities are fully exploited. A standard operating
procedure (SOP) was developed to establish the process by which a Weather
Forecast Office (WFO), River Forecast Center (RFC), Center Weather Service Unit
(CWSU) or National Center can request a MDS over a region of interest for a
specific length of time. This procedure was realized through the development of
the Mesoscale Mission Manager (MMM) tool, made available to all NWS forecasters
through the NOAA Virtual Lab (VLab) website. A weather phenomenon priority list
was also established in order to prioritize MDS requests in the event of
multiple conflicting requests. The management of this process was passed from
the NWS Office of Observations to the NWS Operations Division in January 2018.
The MDS process helps ensure MDS positions correspond to high-impact events, to
the benefit of all GOES-16 (and soon GOES-17) users. Based on experience from the
GOES-16 MDS request process, we conclude that the implementation and constant
improvement of this SOP, the attendant positioning of the GOES-16 MDS sectors,
and the development of the VLab MMM tool have assisted the NWS tremendously
towards their goal of protection of life and property, in addition to
benefiting the broader weather community.