Next Generation Satellite Technologies: Recent Evaluations at WFO Omaha

With the expected launch of the GOES-R series geostationary satellite in 2015, the Joint Polar-orbiting Satellite System (JPSS) in 2017, and the recent 2011 launch of the Suomi National Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite, extensive effort has been underway in developing technologies and techniques to exploit these new satellite platforms. WFO Omaha has participated in evaluating some of these new technologies within an operational forecast and warning environment.

These include:

• The NPP NUCAPS sounding retrievals • The University of Wisconsin's Cloud Top Cooling products for detecting convective initiation as well as nowcasting thunderstorm hail size potential • The University of Alabaman's GOES-R CI (formerly known as SATCAST) products for detecting and diagnosing convective initiation • The University of Wisconsin's ProbSevere statistical model for predicting and nowcasting thunderstorm severity

Based on the experiences at WFO Omaha as well as in the Experimental Warning Program in the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed , the strengths and limitations of each of these methods will be discussed. This presentation will have an overarching goal of providing operational meteorologists with information about incorporating these technologies into operations.