On July 24, the National Hurricane Center requested a 1-min mesoscale sector for the early morning hours of the 25th to observe expected rapid intensification of Hurricane Hillary into a major hurricane. In past GOES-14 1-min tests, NHC found the 1-min data to be useful in center-fixing tropical storms (especially those that are disorganized) as well as in monitoring convective activity associated with the storm. This case provides an example of the 1-min data being utilized to monitor for potential rapid intensification.

Below is a 90 minute (1110 UTC – 1240 UTC) animation of GOES-16 10.3 um mesoscale imagery (Fig 1). The center of circulation is easily identified, enhanced convective activity is found in the northeast quadrant of the storm, and convection is expanding/strengthening well to the north.

Figure 1: 1110 UTC – 1240 UTC 25 July 2017 GOES-16 10.3 um IR mesoscale (1-min) imagery. Full res: https://satelliteliaisonblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170725_hillary_ir4_anno.gif

As the sun rises over Hilary and the higher resolution visible imagery is available, more detail can be seen in the cloud structure immediately surrounding the center of circulation (Fig. 2).

Figure 2: 1310 UTC – 1424 UTC 25 July 2017 GOES-16 1-min VIS. High res: https://satelliteliaisonblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/20170725_hillary_vis_anno.gif

– Bill Line, NWS

“The GOES-16 data posted on this page are preliminary, non-operational data and are undergoing testing. Users bear all responsibility for inspecting the data prior to use and for the manner in which the data are utilized.”