• Weather Satellites: The Technological Powerhouses of Weather Forecasting
GOES 16 Comparison2

Weather Satellites: The Technological Powerhouses of Weather Forecasting

Feb 6, 2019

There is a common mindset that weather satellites float through space mainly to produce pictures for televised weather forecasts, showing us where storms or clouds are. But this is satellite imagery at its most basic. These satellites are actually technological powerhouses that sense and measure so much more about our world than what we see on the news.

Weather satellites carry instruments called radiometers that scan the Earth to form images. These instruments usually carry a small telescope or antenna, a scanning mechanism, and one or more detectors for visible, infrared, or microwave radiation.

goes r

Rendition of Goes-R Weather Satellite; Source: Lockheed Martin

Meteorologists use satellite data on cloud temperature to see how likely and where a tornado may occur, the movement of ice in the Arctic and the amount of moisture in soil, which can indicate the onset of drought.

Nathan Stanford, Manager of Cross Industry and Senior Meteorologist at StormGeo, elaborates, “The sophistication and resolution of today’s satellite imagery allow for some spectacular analysis. We use satellite imagery to understand cloud height and composition—entering this data into complex algorithms to assess the threat of severe weather such as thunderstorms. Clients from various industries are interested in this information; for example, petrochemical plants and utilities concerned about lightning and strong winds, or sports coaches worried about the safety of athletes competing outside.” 

The very first weather satellite was launched in 1959 and offered various types of data based on various onboard sensors. Today’s satellites offer 16 wavelengths of analysis, each representing a specific sensor and a specific target within the Earth’s atmosphere. Joe Basciani, Director of Operations at StormGeo, discusses how far satellites have come. The latest generation of satellites can give meteorologists a vast array of data, from the presence of low clouds and fog at night, to wind speed and the sea state over the oceans, which can be critical when analyzing nascent tropical disturbances.

GOES 16 Comparison

Satellite images of Earth from the current-generation (GOES 17) compared to the previous-generation (GOES 13)


Fred Schmude, Senior Scientist for Long-Range Weather Prediction at StormGeo, also analyzes global weather patterns from satellite data for his team’s long-range weather forecasts. “The ability of satellites to monitor ocean currents, their temperature and composition, is a tremendous benefit. This information provides valuable insights into oceanic temperature patterns across the globe, which is a key tool used by long-range forecasters.

"Satellite sensors measure oceanic temperature and salinity patterns, especially in those areas of the globe not regularly monitored by buoys, ships or offshore rig operations. This data is then fed into computer models that provide valuable information on upper-air and surface weather patterns. Without this satellite data, weather models would be significantly less reliable for both shorter- and longer-range forecasts.”

Hurricane Esther

View of Hurricane Esther from Space

Though meteorologists from across the spectrum gain critical insight from satellite data, perhaps none benefit more than tropical meteorologists. Prior to the first weather satellites, meteorologists relied on buoys, passing airplanes or shipboard observers to communicate information about the conditions across the ocean. In 1961, Hurricane Esther became the first hurricane to be observed by satellite. Now, tropical forecasters can witness every development across the tropical ocean basins.

Chris Hebert, Lead Hurricane Forecaster at StormGeo, says that when forecasting tropical cyclones, the only data available in most ocean basins is satellite imagery. “Aircraft reconnaissance is only flown in the Atlantic Basin and rarely in the East Pacific. Tropical forecasters use satellite imagery to assess the location and organization of tropical weather features. With high-resolution visible spectrum imagery, which relies on reflected light, tropical forecasters can pinpoint the developing circulation center of a future tropical cyclone. By measuring emitted radiation, infrared satellite imagery displays cloud-top temperatures that can be used to assess whether a tropical cyclone is strengthening or weakening.”

Perhaps one of the most overlooked benefits of weather satellites is their ability to produce data, year after year, decade after decade, from an infinite number of points across our planet. This data has brought the Earth’s climate into a much clearer focus. From space, observation of our atmosphere, seas and landmasses equates to witnessing and mapping events that were once unknown or thought impossible or only theoretical. Cyclones are no longer hidden at sea, the amount of coverage of ice-pack or a glacier is no longer a guessing game, air quality isn’t subjective and ocean temperature and current are no longer calculated at the point of the buoy.

Learn more about weather satellites here, or read about the current generation of weather satellites, GOES 16 and GOES-17. GOES-T (expected to launch in 2020) and GOES-U (expected launch in 2024) will be part of the continuing development of weather satellites.