Using Layered Precipitable Water and Other Satellite-Derived Datasets to Anticipate High-Impact Weather Events. Part II: Severe Weather Applications

In anticipation of the first Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series (GOES-R) launch scheduled for March 2016, the National Weather Service (NWS) has placed great emphasis on providing forecaster training prior to the platforms becoming operational. Collaborative efforts such as the GOES-R Proving Ground demonstrate the agency and its partners are committed to offer the best training and research available prior to the highly anticipated launch. This need is supported by recent findings from both national- and regional-level service assessments which collectively highlight the need for additional tools and training to help better anticipate high-impact weather events.

The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the use of little-known satellite datasets that can assist in isolating locations favorable for severe weather development. Two individual case studies will be shown using the experimental CIRA SPoRT Layered Precipitable Water (LPW) product, which has the ability to track individual layers of moisture into an area of developing convection. Additionally, data from the experimental NearCast model ϴe difference field will be used to show how the combination of real-time analysis and model projections can be used to track/isolate areas where convective instability will be increasing over time. Furthermore, the 16 July 2015 northern Missouri severe weather/heavy rainfall event will be shown to demonstrate how these products, when used in combination with general synoptic pattern recognition, can quickly alert forecasters that the impending hazardous weather threat is transitioning from a severe weather focus to one that is more hydrologically based. It is hoped that continued evaluation and documentation of the key benefits offered by these products will help further prepare NWS forecasters prior to when even higher-resolution datasets become available with the launch of the GOES-R Series.