Assessment of GOES imager microburst product over the southwestern United States

TL;DR

This study evaluates a GOES-West satellite microburst detection algorithm that uses brightness temperature differences to identify conditions favorable for strong convective downdrafts, validated over Arizona during 2008.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new GOES imager microburst algorithm based on brightness temperature differences, enhancing detection of microburst potential.

Findings

Effective detection of microburst conditions in case studies

Validation shows reliable performance during the 2008 season

Operational use demonstrated for weather forecasting

Abstract

A GOES-West (GOES-11) imager microburst algorithm that employs brightness temperature differences between band 3, band 4, and split window band 5 has been developed to supplement the sounder-derived microburst products. Band 3 is intended to indicate mid to upper-level moisture content and advection while band 5 indicates low-level moisture content. Large BTDs between bands 3 and 5 imply a large relative humidity gradient between the mid-troposphere and the surface, a condition favorable for strong convective downdraft generation due to evaporational cooling of precipitation in the deep sub-cloud layer. In addition, small BTDs between bands 4 and 5 indicate a relatively dry surface layer with solar heating in progress. This paper provides further assessment of the GOES imager microburst product, case studies demonstrating effective operational use of the microburst products, and validation results for the 2008 convective season over Arizona.