The United States Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Sounders (GOES-8/9/10/11/12) have provided hourly infrared (IR) radiances and derived products over the continental U.S. (CONUS) and adjacent oceans for over 14 years. The GOES-10 sounder now also provides hourly coverage over South America. The products derived include: clear-sky radiances; temperature and moisture profiles; Total Precipitable Water vapor (TPW) and layer PW; total column ozone; atmospheric stability indices such as Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), Lifted Index (LI) and K-Index; cloud-top properties; and water vapor motion winds through feature tracking in radiance image sequences. These products are used in numerical weather prediction (NWP), short range forecasts and nowcasts that include severe weather forecasts.

While broadband geo-sounding has proven useful, it has been demonstrated that hyperspectral IR sounding would provide measurements that serve user requirements much better. Studies with available aircraft and satellite data have illustrated the importance of geostationary hyperspectral IR radiances and products, and the importance of high spatial, high temporal and high spectral resolutions. High spectral resolution would enhance support of regional and convective-scale NWP over CONUS, as it will provide unprecedented detail on 3D fields of wind, temperature, and humidity. Nowcasting/very-short range forecasting will also benefit from the improved monitoring of moisture convergence and convective instability. All three are needed to provide the information required to significantly improve the short-range prediction of severe weather.

The first of the next generation series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) will not have an infrared (IR) sounder dedicated to acquiring high vertical resolution atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles. The feasibility of adding one on subsequent GOES is being looked into. Until then, the ABI will have to be used to provide ‘legacy products' with considerably higher temporal resolution than the current GOES Sounder.