[slate]
Well because we're putting the satellite up
on next week on November 10th, it's going to double the amount of data we have going into
the numerical models. We'll also be able to get the data into those models
at about twice the twice. So we'll get double the data and we'll get it into the models faster.
That will help the models improve their accuracy, reliability of their prediction
over three to seven days.
[slate]
Well certainly improving the model forecast and improving the prediction
is very important for being prepared for severe weather. So as you saw with Harvey
and Maria and Irma, we pretty much had five to six days
warning, allowing the first responders, the governors and the people to prepare
to deploy their assets getting ready to the hurricanes. That will be improved
again as the model improves due to more satellite data that changes.
It also allows us to see more information at very detailed
look because these polar satellites orbit at 500 nautical miles
which is much lower than our geostationary satellites that we use to do things. You saw
a loop from Harvey and other places. So it allows us to see smaller, better detail
Smaller forest fires, know when they're starting and then allow
decision makers and the responders how they need to respond and react.
[slate]
[slate] Well certainly we can't
ever overemphasize the advantage of a better weather forecast. I think we can all
appreciate and understand that. But there's a lot of economic sectors that
use our weather satellite data in their predictions. Things like
aviation forecast they use volcanic dust information available from the satellites.
Oceanography and fisheries who are able to detect fish
conditions that affect fishing off the coast of the United States. Agriculture
is a big user and it has a big economic impact. The satellite data goes into the
models and allows us to understand how much water has fallen on
agricultural areas, know what to plant. Know when to plant. Know the growing season time. All that
comes and is enhanced by the new satellite data.
[slate]
Well NOAA has basically satellite information
from three different perspectives. The polar perspective we're talking about gives us
a global look. Going into the global model. Knows what's going on around the
entire planet. The geostationary satellites, GOES 16 which is our first
new geostationary satellite which goes into operations in December and get
that detailed look of weather and severe weather over the continental U.S. And in addition
measure the solar wind, the space weather. The weather that
activity coming off the sun that threatens our economy as well as our communications,
aviation and other things. So we have instruments on our satellites designed to
detect that and give us advanced and early warning.
[slate]
As a meteorologist I'm always excited
about getting more global data. Getting better and more precise data and of course
improving the reliability of our forecasts. And that really is the impact and the benefit of the investment we're making in these new satellites.
That's what we're making in these new generation weather satellites.
[slate]
So as we get ready for launch next
week we'll be doing a lot of web presence. You can follow us @noaa satellites
on Twitter. It's a good place to understand what's going on and that of course will
take you to other sources of data that you can find out about the satellites themselves.