Microburst applications of brightness temperature difference between GOES Imager channels 3 and 4

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel use of brightness temperature difference between GOES satellite channels 3 and 4 to identify regions prone to microbursts and severe outflow winds, enhancing storm prediction capabilities.

Contribution

It presents a new application of BTD between GOES channels 3 and 4 for detecting microburst potential, supported by case studies including accidents and severe weather events.

Findings

BTD highlights dry mid-tropospheric air in storm regions

Effective operational use demonstrated in case studies

Improves prediction of severe outflow winds

Abstract

This paper presents a new application of brightness temperature difference (BTD) between Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imager channels 3 and 4. It has been found recently that the BTD between GOES infrared channel 3 (water vapor) and channel 4 (thermal infrared) can highlight regions where severe outflow wind generation (i.e. downbursts, microbursts) is likely due to the channeling of dry mid-tropospheric air into the precipitation core of a deep, moist convective storm. Case studies demonstrating effective operational use of this image product are presented for two significant marine transportation accidents as well as a severe downburst event over the Washington, DC metropolitan area in April 2010.