Please see post: “GOES-14 1-minute Imagery use in SPC with Texas Severe (5/21/2014)” from 05/22/2014 for a some background information regarding the GOES-14 1-minute imagery: http://atomic-temporary-39547612.wpcomstaging.com/2014/05/22/goes-14-1-minute-imagery-use-in-spc-with-texas-severe-521/. For more 1-minute imagery information and examples, please visit the following page:  http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/srsor2014/GOES-14_SRSOR.html

Another example of GOES-14 Super Rapid Scan Operations for GOES-R (SRSOR) 1-minute imagery being utilized in the SPC forecast process comes from May 23 afternoon convection over the Carolinas. A SPC slight risk for severe weather existed along the Carolina coasts, with large hail and damaging winds posing the greatest threat. By 20Z, two SPC severe thunderstorm watches had already been issued for the Carolinas, anticipating severe weather development in the coming hours. The 1-minute imagery was being looked at closely for convective initiation, with a SPC watch update mesoscale discussion issued at 2014Z (Fig. 1). In the text, the forecaster mentions, “1-MIN RESOLUTION VISIBLE SATELLITE IMAGERY AND LIGHTNING STRIKES INDICATE INCIPIENT TSTM DEVELOPMENT OVER MARION/FLORENCE COUNTIES OF SC. ADDITIONAL CLUMPING OF CU HAS BEEN NOTED INTO PARTS OF SERN NC.”

Fig 1: SPC MD #671. Full text product can be found on the web at: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2014/md0671.html

Figure 2 shows GOES-14 1-minute imagery from 1902Z to 2130Z. Notice the significant clumping of cu, as noted in the MD, that occurred between 1900 and 2000Z in northeast South Carolina and eastern North Carolina. Between 2000 and 2130Z, convection initiated out of these two areas, as is seen in the 1-minute imagery.

Fig. 2: May 23, 2014 1902-2130 UTC GOES-14 1-minute visible imagery.

Severe hail was reported with the convection in South Carolina (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3: June 17, 2014 SPC storm reports.

Many SPC forecasters have found the 1-minute imagery to be quite valuable when monitoring for convective initiation as was evident in the case discussed in this post. A few SPC forecaster comments regarding their use of the 1-minute imagery in the pre-storm environment follow:

“The one-minute imagery helped me to anticipate areas of new convective development as well, which was useful in developing short-term forecasts and mesoscale discussions for severe weather. ” 

“… having the data available routinely would very likely, over time, allow forecasters to gain a better understanding of processes related to convective initiation, as these processes occurring within a cu field would be visually revealed in high temporal -resolution data in a way that 15- or 30-minute imagery cannot as clearly depict.”

“In the pre-storm environment, these data were especially helpful in monitoring the vertical growth of cumulus convection and in the identification of boundaries.”

“I found it to be very useful in… Using cloud character  and trends to diagnose boundary locations and motion, and nowcast their potential for either CI or influences on upshear storms to interact therewith.”

– Bill Line, SPC/HWT Satellite Liaison