Generation Of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites Research Articles

Automated retrievals of volcanic ash and dust cloud properties from upwelling infrared measurements

AbstractA fully automated, globally applicable algorithm to retrieve ash and dust cloud properties from infrared satellite measurements is presented. The algorithm, which will serve as the official operational algorithm of the next generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES‐R), utilizes an optimal estimation framework that allows uncertainties in the measurements and forward model to be taken into account and uncertainty estimates for each of the retrieved parameters to be determined. The retrieval approach is globally applicable because background atmospheric water vapor, surface temperature, and surface emissivity are explicitly accounted for on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis. The retrieval is demonstrated using the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) on‐board the Second Generation Meteosat. Ash clouds from the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland and the 2010 eruption of Soufriere Hills in the eastern Caribbean and a Saharan dust cloud were analyzed, and the accuracy of the retrieval was evaluated using spaceborne lidar measurements. The validation analysis shows that the retrieved ash/dust cloud height, cloud emissivity, and effective particle radius generally agrees well with lidar measurements, especially when volcanic ash clouds are assumed to be composed of andesite and dust clouds composed of kaolinite.

Application of improved discrepancy principle in inversion of atmosphere infrared remote sensing

With the use of techniques in nonlinear problems, the IDP (improved discrepancy principle) method has been proposed and applied to the optimal smooth factor (parameter γ ) in the inversion process of atmosphere profiles from satellite observation. This method has also been used to inverse atmospheric parameters from the observation of new generation geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES-8). Results show that this method is more accurate than that in use.

Nowcasting with the new generation GOES

The improved resolution and dynamic range of the United States' new GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) has allowed for the development of advanced image products and nowcasting techniques that far exceed those available from previous generation GOES. Selected of those products, and their applicability to nowcasting, will be shown in this paper. Using the advanced imaging capability of the new GOES, experiments to assess the utility of thirty second, one minute and three minute interval imagery are underway. Such “super rapid scan” imagery has been taken of tornadic thunderstorms, thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, lake effect snow storms and hurricanes. Those special data sets are under analysis to determine their utility for nowcasting. Further, a non-operational demonstration, evaluation and training program that allows for the receipt and analysis of digital GOES imagery and products has been placed at approximately 50 of National Weather Service field offices. Many of those offices now have over one year of experience using real-time GOES digital imagery for nowcasting. This paper will address the successes of that program and its importance in assessing GOES digital imagery and nowcast products, as well as its allowing forecaster input to future product development.