GOES-R 1-Minute Imagery Evaluation

In preparation for the launch of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Series, the Operations Proving Ground (OPG) hosted six week-long evaluations of 1-minute satellite imagery in the first part of 2015. 17 National Weather Service (NWS) operational forecasters from four regions (Central, Southern, Western, and Eastern) completed eight simulations that were developed using imagery from the 2013 and 2014 GOES-14 Super Rapid Scan Operations for GOES-R (SRSOR) with the primary purpose of assessing the value and usefulness of integrating high temporal resolution satellite imagery into various analysis and forecast applications. Six additional forecasters participated in a follow-up assessment using live 2015 SRSOR imagery. 

During the simulations, forecasters evaluated 1-min and 5-min satellite imagery scanning modes while completing tasks ranging from aviation forecasting and wildfire decision support services to monitoring where convective initiation would occur and integrating the imagery into the convective warning decision-making process. Each week, feedback was gathered to assess whether the satellite imagery had influence on forecaster decision making, if the satellite imagery provided forecasters with more confidence in making those decisions, to what extent they could effectively assimilate the data into operational practices, and whether forecaster workload was adversely impacted. Click on the pictures below for full report document.