Increased Satellite Reception and Utilization Capabilities in NWS Pacific Region

Since 2012, the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) have increased their investment of meteorological satellite reception antennas in the Pacific basin as the new generation of polar-orbiting and geostationary weather satellites approaches. These new antennas will collectively be able to receive imagery from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) R-Series, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Himawari-8/9 geostationary satellites, and Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) to support continued operations at the NWS Honolulu, Hawaii, and Barrigada, Guam, forecast offices. The improvement in spectral resolution of the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) and Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) compared to heritage imagers in the geostationary orbit, coupled with improved instruments in the polar orbit, such as Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), and Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), will not only provide more imagery to field forecasters, but will increase the number and complexity of satellite-derived and blended products. In order to prepare for this increase in satellite information, the NWS and NESDIS have coordinated satellite proving ground activities in the NWS Pacific Region, which includes Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Micronesia. The goal of the satellite proving ground is ultimately to achieve widespread readiness amongst field forecasters through early exposure to prospective capabilities, imagery, and products. The proving ground also assures that these new capabilities, imagery, and products meet the long-term needs of the field in confronting forecast challenges, and that technical systems that provide satellite data to the field are adequate in enabling forecasters to sufficiently interrogate the imagery and products as part of their forecast and analysis decisions. This presentation will outline current and proposed activities of the satellite proving ground that is operating in NWS Pacific Region. Included is information about the Pacific Region's sponsored visiting scientist program, which pairs researchers with forecasters to improve satellite-derived products that are under development. The presentation will also include a discussion about the attendant “big data” challenges that will accompany the introduction of these new generation satellite systems and how improvements to technical systems and network architecture in NWS Pacific Region will enable the field to achieve timely access to satellite information at full spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution on “day one”.