GOES-R proving ground: plans for 2011 and beyond

The GOES-R Proving Ground (PG) engages the NWS forecast and warning community as well as other agency users in pre-operational demonstrations of select capabilities with GOES-R attributes (enhanced spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution). This venture facilitates the examination and validation of new ideas, technologies, and products primarily through the Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS). Emphasis is placed on the transition from AWIPS-I (AWIPS Legacy) to AWIPS-II (AWIPS Migration), the next-generation decision support system for forecasters. Pre-operational analysis will prepare users for the new types of satellite imagery and tools that will become available with GOES-R.

In the GOES-R PG, developers and forecasters test and apply algorithms for new GOES-R satellite data and products, using proxy and simulated data sets, including observations from current and future satellite instruments (MODIS, AIRS, IASI, SEVIRI, NAST-I, NPP/VIIRS/CrIS, LIS), lightning networks, and computer simulated products. The list of products to be evaluated in 2011 will be determined after evaluating results from experiments in 2010 at the NWS' Storm Prediction Center, National Hurricane Center, Aviation Weather Center, and in the NWS Alaska and Pacific Regions. The products will likely include: cloud and moisture imagery, cloud phase, cloud/snow discrimination, low cloud and fog product, convective initiation, volcanic ash detection and height, sulfur dioxide detection, aircraft icing threat, enhanced “V”/overshooting top detection, hurricane intensity estimates, red-green-blue (RGB) air mass product, Saharan air layer (SAL) product, super rapid scan imagery, tropical cyclone rapid intensity index, lightning detection, hail probability, a “nearcasting product”, and some additional products to be selected in consultation with the NWS.

In 2011 and beyond, the PG will test and validate data processing and distribution systems and the applications of these products in operational settings. Additionally developers and forecasters will test and apply display techniques and decision aid tools in an operational setting. To better familiarize forecasters with the data from GOES-R, a weather event simulator will be developed in coordination with the NWS Training Division. A key component of the proving ground is two-way interaction where researchers introduce new products to forecasters and forecasters provide feedback and ideas for improved or new products.