NOAA Direct Broadcast Real-Time Network (DBRTN): Advanced infrared and microwave sounder data from polar orbiting satellites for numerical weather prediction (NWP) and other time-sensitive applications

NOAA has funded the deployment of a network of polar satellite direct broadcast (DB) reception stations to acquire low-latency advanced infrared and microwave sounder data for assimilation in numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems. NOAA antennas are located at Guam, Honolulu HI, Fairbanks AK, Monterey CA, Madison WI, Miami FL, and Mayaguez PR. NOAA also acquires data from reception stations operated by other groups at Kwajalein Atoll, Corvallis OR, New York City NY, and Hampton VA. Real-time data are received from the NOAA-20, Suomi NPP, Metop-A, and Metop-B satellites. The raw satellite datasets are delivered to a central server at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where they are processed to create Level 1B sensor observations and geolocation data, and are then transformed to BUFR format (Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data) for delivery to NWP centers. Hyperspectral infrared data from the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS; NOAA-20 and SNPP) and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI; Metop-A and Metop-B) are provided, along with passive microwave data from the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS; NOAA-20 and SNPP). The Level 1B BUFR products are delivered to the NOAA National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and to EUMETSAT for dissemination on EUMETCAST. Typical latencies for the Level 1B BUFR products are less than 20 minutes, relative to the start of the satellite overpass at the reception station. Providing the data with low latency to NWP centers enables them to use the data as close to the forecast cutoff time as possible. The NOAA network also receives data from the NOAA-18, NOAA-19, Terra, Aqua, and GCOM-W1 satellites. Imager and sounder data from all the satellites mentioned are also processed onsite at each reception station to provide geophysical products for local decision making. For example, imager and sounder data are provided to local National Weather Service Forecast Offices to support real-time applications including tropical storm forecasts and nowcasting. This presentation will describe the components of the NOAA DB network; the methods used to process and disseminate the data; the positive impact resulting from the DB data in NWP systems, and the local applications of geophysical products from imager and sounder data.