Analysis and Applications of Water Vapor-derived Multispectral
Composites for Geostationary Satellites
Abstract
With the launch of the new Geostationary Operational Environmental
Satellite-R (GOES-R) satellite series with the Advanced Baseline Imager
(ABI) onboard both GOES-16, and -17 satellites, new capabilities are
available at unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution from a
geostationary-orbiting platform viewing North and South America.
Measurements from three water vapor bands available from ABI presents a
unique opportunity to assess the delineation in the vertical
distribution of atmospheric moisture through multispectral (Red, Green,
Blue, i.e., RGB) composites. Analysis of multispectral composites may
provide improved capabilities to quickly identify specific features
through qualitative analysis. The utilization of water vapor bands in
the derivation of RGB imagery can be used to enhance thermodynamic
and/or dynamical features associated with the development of significant
weather events and hazards (e.g., cyclones, hurricanes, convection,
turbulence) that are commonly found in single band water vapor analysis.
The Air Mass RGB was developed with the launch of Meteosat Second
Generation Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) and is
used to enhance regions of warm, dry, ozone rich stratospheric air
associated with jet stream dynamics and tropopause folding that impact
cyclone and hurricane intensity. With the launch of Himawari-8 Advanced
Himawari Imager, the Japan Meteorological Agency developed a
complimentary water vapor RGB, the Differential Water Vapor RGB, as a
tool to assess the vertical distribution of water vapor in the
atmosphere. This presentation will discuss the applications and
advantages of the Air Mass and Differential Water Vapor RGB as
complimentary tools for assessing thermodynamic and dynamical features
associated with significant weather events.