IMETs using GOES East and West

We now have two operating satellites in the GOES-R generation of satellites, two more in the series have yet to be launched. If I am not mistaken, GOES East (originally GOES-R now GOES-16) has good coverage from the east coast to the Rockies.  We now have an additional satellite in the GOES-R series, GOES-17 (launched as GOES-S) that became GOES West in early March of 2019. Any reference to GOES East in this article refers to GOES-16 and any reference to GOES West refers to GOES-17.

I understand that all NWS Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) are at least Journeymen Forecasters (General Forecasters). So they would have had training as required on the GOES-R series of satellites (GOES-16 and GOES-17) in connection with their work as Forecasters in NWS Weather Forecast Offices. I have written several articles about IMETs which may be found here (latest at top).

I have been curious about how Incident Meteorologists have been using the new GOES East and West Satellites (go here to read about what IMETs do and to watch a short video). I would like to thank Robyn Heffernan, National Fire Weather Science and Dissemination Meteorologist with the NWS National Fire Weather Program for taking the time to answer some questions.

RRamblings: Did existing IMETs receive any additional training through either recurrent training or special training, on using the GOES-R series of satellites in their work as IMETs. If so, can you briefly explain what is covered in this training?

RH: Yes!  Not only did IMETs (new and veteran) receive special training for the new GOES series of satellites, so did every forecaster in the National Weather Service (NWS).  The NWS Satellite Foundation course consisted of 15-20 hours of training to bring forecasters up to date on the capabilities of the GOES-R/S satellites.  Specifically, topics included an introduction to GOES-R/S highlighting improved spatial and temporal resolution and additional new channels available, followed by products and imagery that address a broad range of applications including fire weather.  The NWS is currently planning on the development of a new course specifically dedicated to the applications of the new satellites for fire weather.

RRamblings: Has GOES East (aka GOES-16) made a difference in the work of an IMET? If so, how? And how might this be different from how they use GOES East (or GOES West) in their work for their WFO?

RH: The new GOES East and West satellites (R/S) are making a significant difference for IMETs in the field as well as forecasters back at the Weather Forecast Office (WFO).  The new GOES East and West satellites provide three times more spectral information, four times the spatial resolution, and more than five times faster temporal resolution than the previous system.  This means, for wildland fire, we can routinely see fires down to 15 acres in size (although we have been able to see structure fires as well) and watch these fires grow through 1 minute imagery.  This is a game changer!  IMETs on large incidents can see which portions of a fire are particularly active on a given day.  Forecasters back at the WFO are able to see new fire starts and fire growth, and work with land management agency partners to provide necessary forecast weather information.

RRamblings: Is there one thing that you would like my readers to know about GOES East and West as specifically applies to the work of an IMET.

RH: These data are so new to us that we have only begun to discover the utility of the data from these new satellites.  In addition to new developments in the GOES series of satellites, new advances in polar satellites are occurring as well.  In 2017, a new polar satellite was launched, NOAA-20, which includes the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiomenter Suite (VIIRS).  VIIRS is extremely useful in wildland fire due to the ability to detect and view wildland fires at an incredibly high spatial resolution.  In time, we hope these new data will open up a new world with how the NWS works with land management agency partners to assess and forecast the fire environment.  

Thank-you Robyn for your time! I wish all in the NWS National Fire Weather Program Office and the IMETs the best as the spring and summer wildfire. Thank-you for helping keeping our firefighters as safe as possible as the fight wildfires.