This micro-lesson by NASA/SPoRT demonstrates the operational use of the Nighttime Microphysics RGB both to increase the lead time or to avoid a ‘false alarm’ of advisory products related to fog hazards. The RGB is compared to the traditional split window difference of the long and short-wave IR channels for the identification of low clouds and fog. Other mid- and upper-level clouds are apparent in the RGB, but they are not the focus of this particular training.

This micro-lesson by NASA/SPoRT demonstrates the value of applying the Dust RGB imagery from GOES ABI via an event from March 2017 in the U.S. southwest. The Dust RGB is compared to traditional visible and infrared single-channel imagery to show the operational value of the multi-channel RGB imagery for analyzing blowing dust plumes during both day and night.

This micro-lesson by NASA/SPoRT demonstrates the value of the Ash RGB for an eruption event near Mexico City. The ash from the Popocatepetl volcano is more easily seen via the combination of infrared channels into an RGB imagery product verses a single channel or channel difference. The RGB adds value by better differentiating ash from other cloud or surface features. The RGB components are explained and a basic interpretation of the resulting colors within the image is provided.

This micro-lesson by NASA/SPoRT is focused on an application of the Air Mass RGB to anticipate rapid cyclogenesis and high impact winds. The case presented is the development of a storm force low in the Western Atlantic and the use of the RGB to anticipate changes in cyclone intensity and associated impacts such as high wind. Basic interpretation and description of the R-G-B components are presented.

This micro-lesson by NASA/SPoRT introduces the application of the Differential Water Vapor RGB developed originally by the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) for Himawari-8. This RGB applies two water vapor channels in order to contrast the upper and lower levels of the atmosphere. This lesson examines a typical day where a forecaster is analyzing large scale features and the vertical distribution of moisture in order to prepare short-term forecasts.

This micro-lesson by NASA/SPoRT illustrates the application of the Fire Temperature RGB developed originally using the VIIRS imager on Suomi-NPP and translated for use with the GOES-16/17 ABI. This RGB takes advantage of the difference in saturation of several short-wave infrared channels when sensing wildfires. Traditional “hotspots” via short-wave infrared imagery is compared to the RGB imagery which provides an intensity estimate based on the saturation level of the individual channels.

Oiginally developed by EUMETSAT and referred to as the Severe Storms RGB, this product was renamed and adapted for GOES ABI. Convection can be seen in several of the single channels from ABI, but it is severe convection from very strong updrafts that is the focus of this RGB. Examples from ABI during the spring of 2018 are presented over the CONUS as well as marine regions. The objective of this lesson is to apply the Day Convection RGB to identify where strong updrafts are occurring and associated severe convection is likely to result in hazards such as large hail, severe wind, and heavy precipitation.

This is a short application object by NASA/SPoRT on the use of the “Day Land Cloud RGB” product, also referred to as the “Natural Color” RGB by those at EUMETSAT who developed it. The RGB recipe combines the visible channel with other shortwave infrared channels to add information about cloud and surface types. Case examples demonstrate analysis of water vs. ice clouds present over the Rockies as well as the southeast U.S. region. The objective of this application object is to use the RGB to discern cloud phase and surface types.

The focus of this micro-lesson by NASA/SPoRT is on the Natural Color Fire RGB product. This RGB is similar to the Day Land Cloud or Natural Color RGB; however, one of the channels is replaced to specifically focus on fire hot spots. The RGB allows one to view the smoke and fire hot spots within the same product. The case used for this object is the October 2017 Northern California Firestorm. The objective for this item is to have the forecaster demonstrate the ability to identify various hot spots within the Day Land Cloud Fire RGB imagery.