The GOES-R Proving Ground (PG) Program was organized to demonstrate the next generation geostationary satellite imagery, products, and capabilities that will be incorporated into NOAA operations. During the Summer and Fall 2011, proxy GOES-R data and products were demonstrated for forecasters at the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC), the Ocean Prediction Center (OPC), and the Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB) of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). Pre-operational demonstrations allowed forecasters to use and evaluate proxy and simulated GOES-R data from research and operational satellite instruments (MODIS, AIRS, IASI, and SEVIRI), WRF model forecasts, and lightning networks in a quasi-operational environment to support forecast and warning decision making. Forecasters were exposed to the strengths, limitations, and constraints of the new GOES-R capabilities prior to its launch and provided valuable feedback to the product developers. Product developers then have an opportunity to use these evaluations to improve the products before being incorporated into operations.

The GOES-R products that were demonstrated at HPC, OPC, and SAB included the WRF-simulated Advanced Baseline Imager products (cloud and moisture imagery), the Enhanced “V” / Overshooting Top Detection, Convective Initiation, Lightning Detection, Cloud Top Phase, Cloud Top Height, and Cloud Top Temperature. An additional decision aid product, the Red, Green, Blue (RGB) Air Mass product, was also demonstrated at the PG. In this paper, we describe the initial results and lessons learned during these demonstrations.