Analysis and Applications of Water Vapor–Derived Multispectral Composites for Geostationary Satellites

With the launch of the new Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) satellite series with the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) onboard both GOES-16, and -17 satellites, new capabilities are available at unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution from a geostationary-orbiting platform viewing North and South America. Measurements from three water vapor bands available from ABI presents a unique opportunity to assess the vertical distribution of atmospheric moisture through multispectral (Red, Green, Blue, i.e., RGB) composites. Analysis of multispectral composites may provide improved capabilities to quickly identify specific features through qualitative analysis. The utilization of water vapor bands in the derivation of RGB imagery can be used to enhance thermodynamic and/or dynamical features associated with the development of significant weather events and hazards (e.g., cyclones, hurricanes, convection, and turbulence) that are commonly found in single band water vapor analysis. The Air Mass RGB was developed with the launch of Meteosat Second Generation Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) and is used to enhance regions of warm, dry, ozone rich stratospheric air associated with jet stream dynamics and tropopause folding that impact cyclone intensity. With the launch of Himawari-8 Advanced Himawari Imager, the Japan Meteorological Agency developed a complimentary water vapor RGB, the Differential Water Vapor RGB, as a tool to assess the vertical distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere. The NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center has worked closely with NOAA NWS National Centers to prepare forecasters for the capabilities of advanced, next-generation satellite sensors such as ABI. Collaborations within the GOES-R Proving Ground to provide National Center forecasters with SEVIRI and MODIS derived Air Mass RGB has allowed them to quickly integrate the ABI-derived Air Mass RGB into operations. In addition to the Air Mass RGB, NOAA has made the Differential Water Vapor RGB available to NWS forecasters nation-wide. This presentation assess the applications and advantages of the Air Mass RGB and Differential Water Vapor RGB as complimentary tools for assessing the thermodynamic and dynamical features associated significant weather events and assesses the impact of limb-correction on improving the interpretation and usability of the water vapor band-derived multispectral composite imagery.