A Weather Event Simulator (WES) for the GOES-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI)

The primary function of the GOES-R Proving Ground project is to prepare National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters for use of GOES-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) data and products prior to launch. Forecaster training before launch is necessary so all ABI spectral bands and derived products can be utilized by forecasters immediately after ABI enters routine use after launch. This includes understanding how the various ABI bands can be used separately or combined for use in the forecast process. CIMSS is leveraging existing simulated GOES-R Algorithm Working Group (AWG) Proxy data to demonstrate the abilities of ABI. The GOES-R AWG Proxy Data group at CIMSS has produced a 2 km CONUS (Continental U.S.) and higher spatial resolution 1 minute meso-scale simulations for a convective outbreak on June 4-5, 2005. Simulated ABI images for Hurricane Katrina will also be included. The high-spatial resolution WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model data was input to advanced radiative transfer models to generate simulated images for all the ABI spectral bands. The ABI spectral bands, along with spectral band differences, and other data sets will be added to the NWS Weather Event Simulator (WES). The WES is a version of the real-time, operational AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System) forecasters use but with historical case study datasets for training purposes. The WES framework will allow forecasters to learn about ABI spectral bands and products within a familiar, operational-style environment.