Communications - Total Operational Weather Readiness - Satellites (TOWR-S)
February Newsletter
February 2026 Newsletter
Quick Hits (Key Updates At-a-Glance)
- SNPP CrIS: Instrument was lost on 12/23/2025. The ESPC notification ending operational use of the S-NPP CrIS instrument was published on February 11, 2026.
- ASOS SCPs: Implementation updates removing lower quality dual satellite cloud reports have been delayed to the end of 2026.
Recent Activity
OSCAT Winds Anticipated this February
OSCAT Winds data implementation in the NESDIS cloud (NCCF) is expected to begin operational delivery in February 2026. The OSCAT Winds Product reports measurements of wind speed and direction 10m above the sea surface by use of active scatterometry.
NWS sites who are receiving OSCAT data today are relying upon the TOWRpro package, which provides a migrational (non-operational) data flow path from NESDIS STAR to NWS. The TOWR-S team will provide updates to the TOWRpro package which will allow for a smooth transition to the operational NESDIS product.
Please reach out to the TOWR-S Team with any questions.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
QuickSounder
QuickSounder is NOAA’s first small satellite in the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON), carrying an Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) as part of the NESDIS Low Earth Orbit (LEO) program. ATMS data are designed to provide microwave imagery and augment existing polar blended products, supporting enhanced climate monitoring and weather forecasting.
QuickSounder remains in the interface testing phase, working with downstream partners to validate end-to-end data flows, interface compatibility, and data distribution pathways in preparation for operations. These efforts focus on ensuring readiness across ground systems and user access points ahead of launch. The mission remains in a pre-launch configuration, with launch expected no earlier than December 15, 2026.
Additional updates will be shared as interface testing concludes and launch and data distribution timelines are further refined.
Please contact Derek VanPelt with further questions.
Satellite Book Club
The SBC Seminar Series convenes weekly in 2026 on Thursdays at 1:00 PM ET and provides a forum for forecasters and scientists across NWS and the broader NOAA satellite community to share topics of interest. Discussions may include operational applications of satellite data, updates to polar and geostationary satellite programs, and other satellite-related developments relevant to the field.
If you would like to receive information on upcoming presentations, posted recordings, and other updates for the SBC Seminar Series, you can subscribe using the form linked here. SBC sessions are held via Google Meet, and the meeting room can be found here.
Recent and Upcoming Sessions
- February 5, 2026
A TOWR Portal Resource for Satellite data Analysis | TJ Turnage (GRR SOO) - February 12, 2026
Analysis of Sea Ice using SAR | Chris Jackson (NESDIS/STAR) - February 19, 2026
Learning Vertical Visibility from Geostationary Imagery in the Language of CALIPSO | Tony Wimmers (CISESS) - February 26, 2026
GOES-R GLM Observations and Trends for Severe (EF3+) Tornadoes in 2024 | Joseph Patton (CISESS) - March 5, 2026
Early Preview of the 2026 Hazardous Weather Testbed | Kevin Thiel (CIWRO) - March 12, 2026
Application of Microwave and Other Polar Orbiting Imagery in NHC operations | Philippe Papin (NHC) - March 19, 2026
Depiction of Satellite Hazards for Aviation | YJ Noh (CIRA) - March 26, 2026
Satellite Data for The Eyewall | Matt Lanza (The Eyewall)
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