The GOES-R Proving Ground (PG) Program demonstrates the next generation geostationary satellite products and capabilities to be incorporated into NOAA operations. During 2011, proxy GOES-R data and products were demonstrated for forecasters and visiting scientists at the National Weather Service (NWS) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), NWS Regional Headquarters in Alaska, and select NWS Weather Forecast Offices and River Forecast Centers. During these pre-operational demonstrations, forecasters were able to use the proxy and simulated GOES-R data from research and operational satellite instruments (GOES, MODIS, AIRS, IASI, and SEVIRI), WRF model forecasts, and lightning networks in a quasi-operational environment to support their forecast and warning decision making. Using the GOES-R data within the PG environments accelerates end user readiness by providing an opportunity for the forecasters to understand the strengths, limitations, and constraints of the new GOES-R capabilities prior to launch. A key benefit of the interaction between researchers and end users is the opportunity for forecasters to evaluate the data products and capabilities, and then provide feedback to the product developers.

GOES-R products and decision aids demonstrated in 2011 addressed high impact- fire- and aviation- weather, convection, heavy precipitation, offshore thunderstorms, air quality, tropical cyclone and hurricane products. In this paper we describe the initial results from these demonstrations held at the Hazardous Weather Testbed, NWS Alaska Region Headquarters and forecast offices, Alaska Aviation Weather Unit, NESDIS Satellite Analysis Branch, state and local air quality offices and the following NCEP centers: Storm Prediction Center, Aviation Weather Center, Ocean Prediction Center, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and the National Hurricane Center.