The Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) is scheduled for launch in November 2005, and represents a significant advance in the ability to image and sound the atmosphere from a geosynchronous orbit. GIFTS is targeted at a horizontal resolution of 4 km, vertical resolution of 1-2 km, and maximum temporal resolution of 10 seconds. As such, it will allow much more rapid and high-resolution retrievals of temperature, moisture, and wind than are available with any current geostationary instrument.

After the recent commitment of funds to the GIFTS mission by NOAA, NASA, and NAVY, plans are underway at SSEC/CIMSS to test and develop a GIFTS forward radiative transfer model and retrieval algorithms. In support of this work, high spatial and temporal-resolution numerical model simulations are used to produce a “truth” atmosphere, which is then passed through the instrument forward model to generate simulated GIFTS top of the atmosphere radiances. Retrievals of temperature, water vapor and winds generated from these radiances are subsequently compared with the original simulated atmosphere to assess retrieval accuracy.

In this paper, we present results from current work, which involves a mesoscale numerical simulation of a convective initiation case that occurred on 12 June 2002 during the IHOP field experiment. This simulation realistically depicts the very high-resolution water vapor features and late-day convection over the Oklahoma/Kansas border, and will be used in the following GIFTS preparation activities: 1. Pre-launch assessment of GIFTS ability to remotely sense fine-scale water-vapor features 2. Demonstration of GIFTS utility in increasing lead-time on forecasts of convective initiation 3. Development of GIFTS derived products, including stability and turbulence