A New Look at the GOES-R ABI Split Window Difference for Convective Initiation Forecasting

One of the greatest difficulties in severe weather forecasting is deciding exactly where and when storms will form before convective clouds have begun to develop. The GOES-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) will have improved spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution, and combined with improved radiometrics, its split window difference (10.35 – 12.3 µm) has the potential to provide unparalleled detection of low-level pooling of water vapor. Simulated imagery based on output from the 4-km NSSL WRF model is used to better understand how forecasters will be able to make use of this powerful tool. This presentation will provide the results and will show multiple examples of how GOES-R data can be used to improve forecasts of convection initiation.

The views, opinions, and findings in this report are those of the authors, and should not be construed as an official NOAA and or U.S. Government position, policy, or decision.