Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division (SMCD)

Operational Products Development Branch (OPDB)

The Operational Products Development Branch (OPDB) (originally the Forecast Products Development Team) was formed in June, 1996 by the merger of the Sounding Improvement Branch (SIB) and Physical Science Branch (PSB) within NESDIS' Office of Research and Applications.

OPDB conducts applied research on the use of geostationary and polar satellite data for the analysis of significant meteorological, and surface-based phenomena. OPDB also works in tandem with NESDIS operations to implement scientific techniques developed within NESDIS and elsewhere to produce quantitative, derived products, as well as subjective, pattern recognition techniques.

Examples of objective products are: Quantitative Precipitation Estimates for flash flood forecasting, Derived Product Imagery (DPI) such as Lifted Index which is used to predict the likelihood of convective storms, polar and geostationary sounding profiles, high density winds (IR cloud drift and water vapor motion), aviation products (fog, aircraft icing, microburst, and volcanic ash products), and cloud height and amount to supplement the National Weather Service Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) sites.

Subjective products include image techniques to:

1. Recognize the development of mid-latitude and tropical cyclones,
2. Identify severe thunderstorms, and;
3. Locate areas of significant clear air turbulence (CAT).

OPDB provides support in training NWS and DoD forecasters through the development of in-residence and distance learning courses at the Cooperative Program for Meteorological Education and Training (COMET) in Boulder, Colorado.

The highest priority of OPDB's research and development activity is to help improve short range warnings and forecasts in support of NOAA's mission. As a result, its principal customer is the National Weather Service. Other important users are the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Agriculture, and international agencies such as the World Meteorological Organization and foreign weather services.

Projects

• GOES East and West Sounder Temperature and Moisture Products
• Convective Storm forecasting parameters (horizontal fields), from GOES data
• High density, derived winds from GOES satellites
• GOES products for Aviation Use
• POES ATOVS Temperature & Moisture Products
• POES ATOVS Cloud & Radiation Products
• NOAA Products Validation System