Preparing for the onset of GOES-R ABI data through development and training (Invited Presentation)

The launch of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series (GOES-R) is rapidly approaching and the United States National Weather Service (NWS) is preparing internally as satellite expertise is established in the field. The NWS organization has not experienced an observing system platform providing the enormity of data nor the enhancement and capabilities since the Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR) 88D was fielded in the early 1990s. The NWS has been diligently working to prepare field forecasters to understand and apply the new satellite spectral channels as part of the operational workflow, and upgrade the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) to display Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) and Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) data. Himawari-8 has been providing advanced imagery since July of 2015 and ABI data is expected to become available in March 2017. This presentation will discuss the development and training that is underway to ensure that all facets of the NWS are prepared for “day one” of GOES-R.