GOES/I-M

Strengths

• Consistent space resolution over NWS Forecast Area

• Cloud drift and water vapor winds

• Cloud heights

• Stratus/low cloud (fog) detection

• If not obscured by high cloud...
  • new storm growth
  • low altitude boundaries
  • storm environment information

• Large area domain coverage (including oceans)

Mechanics

• two passive sensors (imager and sounder; receive only)

• 1-26 minute line-by-line scans to build "image"

• Time assigned image is time of first scanline
  Note: distance between you and the first scanline varies!

  Quality Control: navigation and calibration done before dissemination