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Integrated Sensor Training (IST) Professional Development Series

The GOES 3.9 mm Channel

Dan Lindsey, NOAA/NESDIS/RAMMB

 with contributions by: Dan Bikos, Jeff Braun, Don Hillger, Bernie Connell, Scott Bachmeier and Scott Lindstrom

1) Introduction

    This is an introductory session meant to complement CIRA's 3.9 mm tutorial, but is a good review for any forecaster.

    Objectives:
    1. Review the science behind the 3.9 mm channel
    2. Discuss the many possible applications, including fog detection, fire detection, and snow/low cloud differentiation
    3. Look at a number of examples
    4. Preview what's to come with future sensors



2) Prerequisites
3) Teletraining Installation Instructions


4) Training Session Options:

    A.) The interactive VISITview training session. (To be used with a VISIT instructor leading the session ). Click here to signup for teletraining. The session will last 45 minutes. This teletraining session uses the VISITview software, where Windows PC (with 128 MB RAM or greater) with an Internet connection is needed.

    B.) Web-based training session - a "stand alone" version viewed via a Web browser, with embedded talking points included. This lesson version may be viewed at any time. These slides are ideal for printing from the web-browser, just print preview first to choose portrait or landscape mode. Best viewed with Internet Explorer or Netscape (prior to version 6).

    C.) Web-based video training session.

    D.) Audio playback - This VISITview file contains recorded audio and annotations and can be taken at anytime. Certificates of completion for NOAA employees can be obtained through your Science Operation Officer or training point of contact. For detailed information on how to view the recorded session click here.

    You may either request a DVD (with all VISIT audio playback files) OR download the file (see instructions below):

    Create a directory to download the audio playback file (it is about 120 MB in size) from one of the following sites:
    ftp://rammftp.cira.colostate.edu/bikos/audio/3.9_audio.exe

    After extracting the files into that directory click on the visitauto.bat file to start the lesson.

5) References/Additional Links

    Ellrod, G. P., 1995: Advances in the Detection and Analysis of Fog at Night Using GOES Multispectral Infrared Imagery Wea. Forecasting, 606–619.

    Lindsey, D. T., D. Hillger, L. Grasso, J. Knaff, and J. Dostalek, 2006: Climatology and analysis for thunderstorms with enhanced 3.9 mm reflectivity. Mon. Wea. Rev., in press. Email me if you want a copy.

    CIRA's 3.9 mm tutorial

    COMET's GOES Channel Selection Tutorial

    Modification of the Fog Product in AWIPS

6) Train the trainer

    Talking points - these may be used by local offices in tandem with the visitview training session (run in local mode - "visitlocal.bat"). The talking points may be printed out to easily review the session in detail at any time. The web page version contains talking points embedded in each slide (useful for printing).

    The talking points may also be downloaded as a Microsoft Word document

7) Information contact