AWIPS is becoming a powerful tool for integrated processing and display of both current and new meteorological and hydrological datasets. This four-panel display compares total precipitable water (TPW) products from three different satellite instrument systems at similar times. In the upper left panel is AMSU TPW, upper right is SSM/I TPW, lower left is GOES sounder TPW, and in the lower right is the GOES-10 6.7-µm water vapor channel.

Immediately obvious is the capability of the SSM/I and AMSU microwave sensors to detect water vapor in the presence of clouds. Notice that the coverage of a moisture band and cold front approaching the Pacific Northwest is revealed in detail by both microwave instruments whereas clouds limit the coverage of information from the GOES sounder.

This display also highlights the complementary nature of the microwave and infrared sounder instruments, particularly useful over data-sparse oceanic regions. The GOES sounder resolves some of the finer scale details at 10-km resolution whereas the microwave product is able to assist with retrievals in cloudy areas. Comparison of satellite TPW with moisture analysis from model data can point out deficiencies in the model analysis and assist in the improvement of short-term precipitation forecasts.