GEO–GEO Stereo-Tracking of Atmospheric Motion Vectors (AMVs) from the Geostationary Ring

Abstract

Height assignment is an important problem for satellite measurements of atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) that are interpreted as winds by forecast and assimilation systems. Stereo methods assign heights to AMVs from the parallax observed between observations from different vantage points in orbit while tracking cloud or moisture features. In this paper, we fully develop the stereo method to jointly retrieve wind vectors with their geometric heights from geostationary satellite pairs. Synchronization of observations between observing systems is not required. NASA and NOAA stereo-winds codes have implemented this method and we processed large datasets from GOES-16, -17, and Himawari-8. Our retrievals are validated against rawinsonde observations and demonstrate the potential to improve the forecast skill. Stereo winds also offer an important mitigation for the loop heat pipe anomaly on GOES-17 during times when warm focal plane temperatures cause infrared channels that are needed for operational height assignments to fail. We also examine several application areas, including deep convection in tropical cyclones, planetary boundary layer dynamics, and fire smoke plumes, where stereo methods provide insights into atmospheric processes. The stereo method is broadly applicable across the geostationary ring where systems offering similar image navigation and registration (INR) performance as GOES-R are deployed.