GOES Quick Guides

GOES Single-Band Quick Guides

Band #Central WavelengthNicknameAWIPS LegendGuide Update
10.47 µmBlue Visible BandCH-01-0.47umAug 2017
20.64 µmRed Visible BandCH-02-0.64umMay 2017
30.86 µmVeggie BandCH-03-0.87umMay 2017
41.37 µmCirrus BandCH-04-1.38umAug 2017
51.61 µmSnow/Ice BandCH-05-1.61umAug 2017
62.24 µmCloud Particle Size BandCH-06-2.25umAug 2017
73.90 µmShortwave InfraredCH-07-3.90umSep 2017
86.19 µmUpper-Level Water VaporCH-08-6.19umAug 2017
96.9 µmMid-Level Water VaporCH-09-6.95umAug 2017
107.34 µmLower-Level Water VaporCH-10-7.34umSep 2017
118.5 µmIR Cloud Top Phase BandCH-11-8.50umMay 2017
129.6 µmOzone BandCH-12-9.61umAug 2017
1310.35 µmClean Window IRCH-13-10.35umAug 2017
1411.2 µmLegacy Window IRCH-14-11.20umAug 2017
1512.3 µmDirty Window IRCH-15-12.30umAug 2017
1613.3 µmCO2 LongwaveCH-16-13.30umSep 2017

 

GLM Quick Guides

NameDescription
GLM and Ground-Based Networks             This is a quick guide highlighting the strengths and differences between the Geostationary Lightning Mapper and the ground-based lightning detection networks.
GLM ApplicationsThis provides an overview of the advantages, limitations, and potential uses of the Geostationary Lightning Mapper's flash extent density product.
GLM Detection MethodsThe GLM creates background images every 2.5 minutes, then images 500 frames per second to detect changes in brightness relative to the background image. Individual pixels that are illuminated above the background threshold during a 2 ms frame are termed GLM events, filters then determine the likelihood that these events are real lightning.
GLM Data QualityIssues described include geospatial considerations and false events.
GLM Full Disk Data QualityPerformance variability, sources of false flashes, and additional data quality considerations when using full disk GLM products.
GLM Gridded Products/FEDFlash extent density (FED), the number of flashes that occur within a grid cell over a given period of time, is the first NWS gridded GLM product.
GLM Gridded Products/AFA and TOEAverage flash area (AFA) is the average area of all GLM flashes spatially coincident with each 2×2 km grid cell during a specified time period. Total optical energy (TOE) is the sum of all optical energy that the GLM observes within each grid cell during a specified time period.
GLM Minimum Flash Area (MFA)This provides an overview of Minimum Flash Area (MFA), which reports the minimum size of any GLM flash spatially coincident with each 2×2 km grid cell during a specified time period.  
GLM Full Disk Gridded ProductsThis provides an overview of GLM Full Disk Gridded products and applications.

 

RGB Quick Guides

NameRedGreenBlueCommon Uses

Air Mass

6.2 - 7.3 µm9.6 - 10.3 µm6.2 µm (inverted)Identifying air masses, inferring cyclogenesis
Day Snow Fog0.86 µm1.6 µm3.9-10.3 µmThe channels which bring out the distinguishing differences are combined in the Day Snow-Fog RGB to show greater contrast between snow and cloud.
Day Convection6.2 - 7.3 µm3.9 - 10.3 µm1.6 - 0.64 µmIdentify intense vs. weak/mature updrafts
Day Land Cloud1.6 µm0.86 µm0.64 µmIdentify surface features (inc. fire hotspots), high vs. low clouds, snow
Day Land Cloud Fire2.2 µm0.86 µm0.64 µmIdentify surface features, high vs. low clouds, snow
Differential Water Vapor7.3 - 6.2 µm (inverted)7.3 µm (inverted)6.2 µm (inverted)Analyze water vapor distribution, depth of moisture, trough/ridge patterns
Dust12.3 - 10.3 µm11.2 - 8.4 µm10.3 µmIdentifying dust
Fire Temperature3.9 µm2.2 µm1.6 µmAssess more intense vs. less intense fires
Nighttime Microphysics12.4 - 10.4 µm10.3 - 3.9 µm10.3 µmIdentify high clouds vs. low clouds vs. fog at night
Simple Water Vapor10.35 µm (inverted)6.19 µm (inverted)7.34 µm (inverted)

Assess distribution of moisture

CIMSS Natural True Color

0.64 µm

0.45* (0.64 µm)

0.1*(0.86 µm)

0.45*(0.47 µm)

0.47 µm

True color gives an image the approximate look as one would see from space.

Day Cloud Convection

0.64 µm0.64 µm10.3 µmHelps to distinguish between high and low clouds and can help reveal wind shear when animated. 

Day Cloud Phase Distinction

10.3 µm0.64 µm1.6 µmThis RGB is used to evaluate the phase of cooling cloud tops to monitor convective initiation, storm growth, and decay.

Ash RGB

12.3 - 10.3 µm11.2 - 8.4 µm10.3 µmThe Ash RGB can be used both day and night for the detection of and monitoring of volcanic ash as well as sulfur dioxide gas. 

SO2 RGB

6.95 - 7.34 µm10.35-8.5 µm10.3 µmThe SO2 RGB product can be used to detect and monitor large sulfur dioxide emissions from volcanoes, as well as industrial facilities such as power plants.

 

Channel Difference Quick Guides

NameChannel DifferenceCommon Uses
Night Fog10.3 - 3.9 µm

Identify clouds made up of small water droplets (e.g., fog/stratus)

Split Window Difference10.3 - 12.3 µmIdentify gradients in moisture, regions of low-level dust
Split Cloud Phase8.5-11.2 µmDifferentiate cloud size particles
Split Water Vapor Difference6.2-7.3 µmThe band difference give an approximation of the concentration and distribution of Water Vapor
Split Snow1.6-0.64 µmHighlights regions where ice is present
Split Ozone9.6-10.3 µmReveals the influence of ozone absorption

 

Baseline Product Quick Guides

NameCommon Uses
Cloud PhaseDescribes the cloud-top composition.
Legacy Vertical ProfilesLegacy Vertical Profiles show GFS information that has been adjusted based on satellite information.
Clear Sky MaskEstablishes the presence or lack of clouds (mainly used for other subsequent algorithms)
Cloud Top HeightEstimates the top of the cloud in feet.
Aerosol DetectionIdentifies the type of aerosol in the atmosphere. The product is used to identify obstructions to visibility and for forecasts of air quality.
Cloud Top PressureBaseline Cloud Top Pressure estimates the cloud top pressure (in hPa). Values are not assigned in clear skies.
Cloud Top TemperatureThe Baseline Cloud Top Height Temperature estimates the temperature of the cloud top in degrees Celsius; it is generally more accurate than individual channel Brightness Temperatures that can be affected by absorption by gases.
Cloud Optical DepthThe GOES-R Cloud Optical Depth provides valuable information on the radiative properties of clouds.
Cloud Particle Size DistributionThe GOES-R Cloud Particle Size Distribution is a fundamental product to determine liquid and ice water content of clouds.
Total Precipitable WaterThe TPW product is useful for following rapidly evolving events (i.e., convective) since it is available at high time resolution.
Aerosol Optical DepthAerosol Optical Depth (AOD) is a quantitative estimate of the amount of aerosol present in the atmosphere, and it can be used as a proxy for surface Particulate Matter PM2.5
Derived Motion WindsDerived Motion Wind Vectors are produced using sequential ABI images. They can provide important information about winds at different levels during asynoptic times.
Derived Stability IndicesFive different GOES-based stability indices are available: Total Totals, K, Showalter and Lifted Indices, and Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE).
SSTThe SST product is useful for analyzing oceanic Sea Surface Temperatures
Fire/Hot Spot CharacterizationThe GOES-R Fire/Hot Spot Characterization consists of Fire Area, Fire Power and Fire Temperature products. These products are used  to better monitor wildfires and their rapid changes by leveraging the higher spatial and temporal resolution of the GOES-R ABI. 
Volcanic AshThe Volcanic Ash algorithm determines the location, height and mass loading properties for satellite pixels potentially containing volcanic ash.

 

Enterprise Product Quick Guides

NameCommon Uses
GOES IFR Probability

GOES-R IFR Probability fields combine cloud information from GOES- 16/GOES-17 and low-level saturation information from the Rapid Refresh model.

GOES Cloud Thickness

GOES-R Cloud Thickness Fields estimate the depth of the lowest deck of clouds made up of water droplets.

Turbulence ProbabilityGOES-R Turbulence Probabilities use machine learning methods to relate satellite feature from clean window IR (10.3 µm) and water vapor imagery (6.19 µm)).