GOES-R Proving Ground Satellite Liaison Work at the National Weather Service Weather Prediction and Ocean Prediction Centers and Future Plans

The goal of the GOES-R Proving Ground Satellite Liaison for the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) and Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) is to maximize the capability of geostationary and polar satellite data and products for weather forecasting. Over the past year, the Satellite Liaison demonstrated several experimental satellite datasets, including products that are utilizing the rapidly advancing toolset of artificial intelligence and machine learning in forecast operations. Training, case studies, and contributions to the Satellite Liaison Blog were led by the Liaison to help foster collaboration in a pre-operational environment. WPC and OPC forecasters learned the strengths and weaknesses of experimental satellite datasets, while also providing feedback for the Liaison to deliver back to the product developers to maximize capabilities in an operational setting. The ultimate goal is to conduct research to help make new satellite imagery and derived products useful for forecasters, and to ensure they are available for AWIPS-II workstation implementation.

Satellite products such as LightningCast and imagery such as ProxyVis were highlighted by the Liaison, and after training and feedback, included in WPC and OPC operations. Several other Red-Green-Blue (RGB) composites that already exist in operations, such as the Nighttime Microphysics, were included in case studies to increase usage for important phenomena such as detecting fog, and ample training on finding satellite resources was provided to the WPC International Desk. An overview of the demonstrations conducted by the Liaison, as well as goals and future plans, will be discussed in this presentation.