Strategizing the Future of NOAA/NESDIS Tropical Cyclone Satellite Products and Services

NOAA/NESDIS provides operational tropical cyclone (TC) products for users in NOAA forecast centers (e.g. NWS National Hurricane Center), U.S. partner agencies (e.g. Joint Typhoon Warning Center), and TC centers abroad. Over the past 40 years, significant progress in satellite observational capabilities, and scientific understanding of the Earth system have resulted in a major leap forward with regards to TC detection and forecast support tools. Satellite products such as: Winds, Imagery, TC Intensity and Structure, TC Genesis Potential, Sea Surface Temperature and Ocean Heat Content, Precipitation, etc., form part of today’s toolset for forecasters and analysts. These products have contributed to life and cost-saving decisions based on more accurate forecasts and warnings. However, progress is sometimes slowed down by the lack of cohesive planning and investments needed to propel world-class science into operational products and services. In the current scheme of things, products can take long to transition to operations (T2O), or sometimes are not meeting user needs. Moreover, gaps in satellite/product coverage and/or refresh (or revisit) rates continue to affect TC monitoring worldwide, especially in the case of absent aircraft, radar, or other in-situ observations. Conversely, new and/or improved observational satellite capabilities have been introduced or are in plans for launch. For example, new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors, including commercial satellites, will enable a more detailed depiction of high ocean surface winds in the TC inner-core and surrounding environment. In addition, the introduction of satellite constellations aimed at improved temporal coverage over storms (e.g. NASA TROPICS) will support microwave imagery and TC intensity estimates at higher revisit rates. Current plans, such as the National Hurricane Operations Plan (NHOP), are helpful on a yearly basis. However, for a clearer strategic view, findings/recommendations from a scientific study should inform decision makers on the state of science and observational capabilities, and the direction in which these will be heading within the next 10 years or so. Such a study could guide key investments in the research and development, and eventual T2O of the next generation of TC satellite products and services. To ensure success in this endeavor, active engagement and participation of stakeholders such as forecasters, researchers, decision-makers, and other technical experts will be needed. NOAA/NESDIS is well-positioned to steer change through scientific investments for meaningful improvements in this area. Change could be further accelerated by the effective leverage of the NESDIS Common Cloud Framework (NCCF) as a platform for unified, agile, and easy-access products and services.