Simulating GOES-R satellite imagery from WRF output

As part of the 2010 Spring Experiment at NOAA's Hazardous Weather Testbed in Norman, OK, output from the National Severe Storms Laboratory's (NSSL) 4-km WRF-ARW was used to generated synthetic satellite imagery for each infrared band on the GOES-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI). This novel approach served two primary purposes: 1) to familiarize forecasters with the ABI's new spectral channels, and 2) to allow forecasters to compare the model-simulated and observed satellite imagery as a means of evaluating the accuracy of the WRF model forecast.

To generate the synthetic imagery, relevant fields from the WRF model output were sent to CIRA and CIMSS, where forward radiative transfer models were used to create the forecast satellite radiances. Output was then provided to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), who displayed the imagery on their NAWIPS system for evaluation. The ability to quickly compare the WRF's forecast morning cloudiness with the observed cloud cover without needing to look at several different model fields was particularly valuable. For instance, if the model correctly predicted the morning evolution of the clouds, then confidence in its convective trends later in the day is increased. In this presentation, we will explain how the imagery is generated and provide a number of examples.

The views, opinions, and findings contained in this article are those of the author(s) and should not be construed as an official National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or U.S. Government position, policy, or decision.