Geostationary Satellite Soundings: New Observations for Forecasters

The new meteorological Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), GOES-8 and GOES-9 (Figure 1) launched in 1994 and 1995, respectively, are providing meteorologists with an vast array of new atmospheric observations and products. Key satellite improvements include more frequent imaging of weather systems, at a higher resolution, and in more spectral bands (Menzel and Purdom 1994). Another major advancement is the ability to independently image and sound or make profiles of atmospheric temperature and water vapor. For the first time, forecasters have a continuum of atmospheric sounding or temperature and moisture information. These hourly observations that cover the Continental U.S. (CONUS) and adjacent ocean areas are critical to monitoring changing weather conditions and providing improved weather services to the nation. 1998 NESDIS (National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) Library Public Domain 2286