GOES-R Foundational Course Lessons on MetEd
Several of these lessons are part of the larger CIRA-hosted Satellite Foundational Course for GOES-R (SatFC-G).
SatFC-G: Basic Principles of Radiation
This lesson is an abbreviated review of the scientific basis for using visible and infrared satellite imagery. The concepts and capabilities presented are common to most geostationary (GEO) and low-Earth orbiting (LEO) meteorological satellites. Basic remote sensing and radiative theory are reviewed using conceptual models to help organize scientific concepts. Some imagery is also included to illustrate concepts and relate them to sensor observations.
SatFC-G: Visible and Near-IR Bands
This lesson introduces you to the two visible and one of the near-infrared imager bands on the GOES R-U ABI (Advanced Baseline Imager), focusing on their spectral characteristics and how they affect what each band observes. Also included is a brief discussion of the customization of visible enhancements as an important consideration for improving the depiction of various features of interest.
SatFC-G: Near-IR Bands
This lesson introduces you to three of the four near-infrared imager bands (at 1.37, 1.6, and 2.2 micrometers) on the GOES R-U ABI (Advanced Baseline Imager), focusing on their spectral characteristics and how they affect what each band observes. For information on the 0.86 micrometer near-IR "veggie" band which is not included here, refer to the Visible and Near-IR Bands lesson.
SatFC-G: IR Bands, Excluding Water Vapor
This lesson introduces seven of the ten infrared imager bands on the GOES R-U ABI (Advanced Baseline Imager). It examines the spectral characteristics of each band to facilitate a better understanding of band selection and what each band observes, and to shed light on some of the many potential applications.
SatFC-G: Impact of Satellite Observations on NWP
This lesson covers how satellite data inform numerical weather prediction models. From a basic overview of how satellite data is assimilated to how a new instrument's data might get into a model.
SatFC-G: GOES-R Impacts on Satellite Data Assimilation
This five-minute lesson presents a brief overview of how GOES-R observations are expected to support and potentially enhance NWP for various analysis and forecast applications.
SatFC-G: Introduction to the GLM
This lesson describes the need for real-time lightning information and the capabilities of the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), which will fly on the next-generation GOES-R satellites as the first operational lightning detector in geostationary orbit.
GOES-R Series Faculty Virtual Course: Geostationary Lightning Mapper
In this webinar recording Scott Rudlosky and Geoffrey Stano discuss and demonstrate the capabilities of the GOES-R/16 Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) in both operational and research applications. You will learn how the GLM, the first lightning mapper in geostationary orbit, differs from land-based lightning detection. The presenters summarize important processes known as lightning events, group, flashes, and lightning jumps and show products that illustrate the location and areal extent of lightning, and its evolution in cloud systems.
GOES-R Case Exercises
Case study exercises provide learners the opportunity to explore new satellite capabilities in the context of real-life weather events/scenarios.
GOES-16 GLM Case Exercise: Buenos Aires Tornado and Hail Event
This 30 minute lesson introduces the benefits of using Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) observations in assessing convection through the exploration of a severe weather event near Buenos Aires, Argentina. Users will practice using GLM observations to determine initial convection, estimate tendencies in storm strength, and evaluate the potential for severe weather.
GOES-16 Case Exercise: 8 May 2017 Colorado Hail Event
GOES-16 provides 16 multispectral bands of satellite data, including CONUS scans every 5 minutes, with 0.5 kilometer visible imagery resolution and 2.0 km longwave infrared resolution. This lesson harnesses GOES-16's increased temporal and spatial resolutions to identify convective development and intensity signatures on traditional longwave IR and visible band imagery, and compares the experience to using legacy GOES products.
GOES-R Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) North America Examples
This 45 minute lesson introduces learners to the benefits of using GLM gridded products, primarily Flash Extent Density (FED). Learners will explore several North American convective events and use Flash Extent Density, in combination with other satellite and radar data, to diagnose convective initiation, storm intensification, and areal extent of lightning activity.
GOES-16 and S-NPP/JPSS Case Exercise: Hurricane Harvey Surface Flooding
Satellite data are important tools for analyses and short-term forecasts of surface floodwater. This lesson uses data from both the S-NPP Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and the GOES-16 Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) to highlight the flooding associated with Hurricane Harvey (2017).
GOES-R/JPSS Case Exercise: Detecting and Monitoring Western US Wildfires
New-generation GOES-R and JPSS satellite products offer improved capabilities for detecting and monitoring wildland fires in the Western US and similar geographic regions. Satellite monitoring capabilities provide useful tactical information to meteorologists when working with fire agencies, emergency managers and first responders throughout the life of the fire.
GOES-16/JPSS Case Exercise: Monitoring the Rhea Oklahoma Grassland Fire
The current GOES-R and JPSS meteorological satellites have improved capabilities for enhanced fire detection that include more effective monitoring of fire starts, evolution, and smoke. This lesson provides forecasters and others with the opportunity to become more familiar with both GOES-R and JPSS satellite products.
GOES-R/JPSS Case Exercise: Applications for Heavy Rainfall & Flash Flooding
This 45-minute lesson highlights GOES-R and JPSS satellite products that can provide useful information to forecasters during heavy rainfall scenarios. In this lesson, the learner takes on the role of a forecaster working a shift during a potential heavy rainfall event across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As a forecaster, the learner analyzes and interprets various satellite products to better understand the environmental factors conducive for heavy rainfall and flash flooding
Satellite Products for Evaluating Convective Maintenance
This advanced lesson provides users with best practices for using GOES-R/16/17 and JPSS satellite products to aid in the forecast process for convective maintenance. The lesson uses a convective case study to help learners understand how to use the products to assess convective maintenance.
GOES-R/JPSS Case Exercise: Products & Capabilities for Assessing Convective Initiation
This 45-minute lesson highlights a sample of GOES-R and JPSS satellite products that can provide useful information to forecasters during convective weather scenarios. In this lesson, the learner takes on the role of a forecaster working a shift during a potential severe weather day across Iowa. As a forecaster, the learner monitors and interprets various satellite products to better understand the pre-convective environment and identifies indicators of convective initiation.
