Results from GOES-R and JPSS Proving Ground Demonstrations at the Hazardous Weather Testbed 2017 Summer Experiment

The Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT) provides the GOES-R and JPSS Proving Ground with an opportunity to conduct demonstrations of baseline and experimental products, as well as future capabilities associated with the next generation GOES-R geostationary satellite series and JPSS polar orbiting satellite series. Many of these products have the potential to improve short-range hazardous weather nowcasting and forecasting. During the 2017 Summer Experiment, various GOES-R baseline products and future capabilities were examined within the real-time, simulated warning operations environment of the HWT Experimental Warning Program (EWP) using AWIPS-II workstations. The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) data were also shown to forecasters for the very first time. This experiment was conducted Monday-Friday during the weeks of June 19, June 26, July 10, and July 17. The participants included 12 visiting NWS forecasters and 4 broadcast meteorologists, as well as a number of HWT/Proving Ground coordinators and product developers.

GOES-R products demonstrated in the 2017 EWP Summer Experiment included: GOES-16 Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) Cloud and Moisture Imagery, baseline derived products and numerous multispectral products, the Geostationary Lightning Mapper, and the Probability of Severe statistical model. Additionally, GOES-16 provides 1-minute imagery via two 1000-km x 1000-km mesoscale sectors, and its value was also assessed in monitoring convective storm life cycles. As a JPSS Proving Ground activity, the NOAA Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) temperature and moisture profiles were displayed using the AWIPS-II sounding analysis program. These soundings were created using data from three different polar orbiting satellites: Suomi-NPP and Europe’s MetOp-A and MetOp-B. Additionally, a modified version of NUCAPS was also examined in which an automated correction incorporating surface METAR observations was applied to the boundary layer to improve the accuracy of the sounding. Also, participants were able to view the NUCAPS derived parameters in a plan or cross-section view.

Results from the GOES-R/JPSS Proving Ground demonstrations at the 2017 HWT Summer Experiment are presented, including examples of product use and feedback from participants.