Question 11

How many times each day can I expect NOAA satellites to provide sounding coverage over my area? (Click the button for the best answer below.) a) Four times each day, once every 6 hours. b) Once each day. c) Times will vary depending on the day of the week. d) Twice daily, once every 12 hours. Discussion d) is the correct response. The normal configuration of NOAA POES satellites is two satellites whose orbits are within 6 hours of one another. But since the AMSU microwave sounder is currently available on only one POES (NOAA-15), sounding coverage is limited to twice daily for most locations. With the placement of NOAA-15 into a morning (AM) orbit, and since POES are sun-synchronous satellites, local coverage occurs at about 7:30 and then again 19:30 local time. (See Polar Satellite Products for the Operational Forecaster Module 2: Microwave Applications, Coverage and Scanning Section for more information on polar orbits.) In August 2000, NOAA-L is planned for launch into an afternoon (PM) orbit, expanding local coverage to about every 6 hours.