NOAA’s National Weather Service Satellite Vector Winds Uses and Requirements in the Western Region NWS

NOAA’s National Weather Service First, Set the Stage

NOAA’s National Weather Service Uses for the Data Model Assessment Model Assessment Marine Forecasting and Warnings Marine Forecasting and Warnings  Winds and Wind Waves  Studies  Coastal Jets Public Forecasting and Warnings Public Forecasting and Warnings  Coastal wind warnings Marine Verification Marine Verification  Zones go out 60 nm, buoys ~15 nm

NOAA’s National Weather Service Future Requirements More passes! Defines fetch dimensions. More passes! Defines fetch dimensions. Reduce width of data masking - Most marine traffic is within 5-10 nm of shore Reduce width of data masking - Most marine traffic is within 5-10 nm of shore Increased resolution - Forecast grids are 2.5 km – input to near shore models Increased resolution - Forecast grids are 2.5 km – input to near shore models Reduce rain contamination Reduce rain contamination Accurate wind direction (~10º) Accurate wind direction (~10º) Speeds to 100 kt Speeds to 100 kt

NOAA’s National Weather Service Summary SVW are invaluable to the WR SVW are invaluable to the WR SSM/I is helpful but… SSM/I is helpful but… Loss of SVW will degrade warning and forecast programs Loss of SVW will degrade warning and forecast programs