Mesoscale Observations: GOES-14 Imager 1-Minute Rapid Scan Data

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-14 Imager was operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in an experimental rapid scan 1-minute mode during part of summer 2012 and parts of spring and summer 2013 and 2014. This experimental scan mode is called Super Rapid Scan Operations for GOES-R (SRSOR) and emulates the high temporal resolution sampling of the mesoscale region scanning of the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on the next generation GOES-R series. With observations almost every minute, on the scales of a few km, these images and associated products can monitor attributes of the mesoscale. In 2013, the first two days of SRSOR in June observed the propagation and evolution of a mid-Atlantic Derecho event. The data from August of 2013 and 2014 were unique in that the GOES imager operated in nearly continuous 1-minute mode; prior to this, the 1-minute data were interrupted every 3 hours for full disk scans. These data are helping better prepare users for the next generation imager which will be able to routinely acquire mesoscale (nominally 1,000 km x 1,000 km) images every minute over two separate locations. In addition, these experimental data were used in a number of NOAA testbeds and operational centers including the Storm Prediction Center and forecast offices. Several animations are included showcasing the rapid change of the many phenomena associated with severe weather that were observed when the GOES-14 Imager was operating in the SRSOR mode. This information offers a glimpse into the future and the improved measurements of the ABI on GOES-R.