The National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) is funding a series of on-line training modules designed to instruct the operational weather forecaster on the use of Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) observations and products. This Module Series Overview answers the following questions:

• How does this module help the forecaster?
• How does this module fit within the Integrated Sensor Training Professional Development Series?

POES Applications for Operational Forecasters

• Global coverage, which is especially important to forecasters at higher latitudes (Alaska Region, Canadian, and military forecasters) and for numerical model input and verification.
• Microwave imaging and sounding. Microwaves penetrate cirrus and non-raining clouds, providing observations in areas obscured from detection using conventional visible and infrared observations.
• Infrared and visible imaging at 1-km resolution provides important information and products at high spatial resolution.

POES products provide additional critical information for operational forecasters. The greatest potential for enhanced use of POES observations is by NWS forecasters in the lower 48 states. Alaska and military forecasters, as well as Synoptic Analysis Branch meteorologists, already make extensive use of the POES and DMSP datasets. The initial NESDIS-sponsored online training modules are listed below and include selected topics covered in each module.

• POES Introduction and Background
  • Comparison of POES and GOES, characteristics, capabilities, and imagery
  • Outline of the instrument configurations of NOAA and DMSP polar orbiters
  • Introduction to NOAA and DMSP products useful in operational forecasting. Some of the products and applications covered include
    • Cloud detection
    • Fog/stratus product
    • Fire monitoring
    • Volcano monitoring
    • Snow/ice cover
    • Surface characteristics
    • Microwave-based products
  • Milestones in the history of POES development
• Microwave Products and Applications
  • Total precipitable water
  • Cloud liquid water
  • Rain rate
  • Sea ice
  • Snow cover
  • Ocean surface wind speed
  • Surface temperature
  • Surface wetness
• Data Integration and the Forecast Process: Applying Multispectral Imagery and Products This module integrates products and applications from the first two modules using examples from geographically diverse regions.

POES Training in the Integrated Sensor Training Professional Development Series