How to prepare for a new generation of satellite...

Action Item VLMG7.01, "Share experiences with the preparation for the Himawari 8/9 with the group, as an example of preparation for the next generation of satellites"


I was involved in the following preparations for the planned Japanese Himawari 8/9 Geostationary Satellite. This advanced satellite is planned to monitor our hemisphere from July 2015 in 16 channels and at 10 minute intervals.

 

Planning ahead

1. I attended the WMO-EUMETSAT Workshop on RGB Satellite Products during September 2012. This information was disseminated after the event in a series of blended classroom / online Webinar sessions with Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and WMO Region V and II (RAV and RAII) stakeholders in the audience.
2. A multi-branch working group, the Advanced GEO Imager Scoping Project Reference Group (AGEOIS-RG) was set up within the Bureau of Meteorology to develop a data requirement regime. This group was active between March to June 2013.
3. Four senior staff members from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) visited the Bureau of Meteorology for the JMA-Himawari-8 Symposium from 23-24th May 2013. Amongst other topics the findings from the AGEOIS-RG working group were presented for further discussion 
4. Two sessions pertaining to Satellite User Requirements in WMO Region V (SW-Pacific) were coordinated by a staff member from BOM Observation and Infrastructure (O&I) during the Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users Conference (AOMSUC-4) and Training Workshop (7-11 October 2013).
5. MTSAT-1R rapid scan (10 minute) data from the BOM/JMA/NASA/Environment Canada High Ice Water Content (HIWC) Experiment was successfully ingested and displayed within BOM from 19th December 2013 to 19th March 2014. This was a useful trial in preparation for the 10 minute Himawari-8 data.
6. A JMA staff member (Mr. T. Kurino) visited the Bureau of Meteorology on the 26-27th June 2014. Topics of discussion included an update on JMA activity and plans, MTSAT/AHI band correspondences, data transfer, forecaster training, products for forecasting severe weather, research opportunities.
7. Monthly Webinar sessions pertaining to Himawari-8 and involving JMA and BOM staff commenced August 2014.

 

Useful resources available and prior training

1. Two sources of MTSAT-1R rapid scan data became available for Bureau and RAV stakeholder training during 2013 and 2014. 5 minute rapid scan data over Japan was made available on a series of DVD's through liaison between JMA and the Bureau of Meteorology Training Centre (BMTC) from August 2013. 10 minute rapid scan data over the Australian region became available as a result of the HIWC Experiment. Case studies were developed from this data for use in training courses involving BOM and RAV stakeholders. Complimentary copies of these case studies were given to JMA staff.
2. MODIS Aqua and Terra data from the NASA Rapidfire website was used to create RGB products for significant Australian and RAV weather / volcanic events.
3. Training in the effective Forecaster use of 10 minute rapid scan and RGB product data using the aforementioned case studies was provided to BOM and RAV stakeholders during the following blended classroom / online Webinar sessions:
4. The 4th Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users conference (AOMSUC-4) Training Event (7-8 October 2013)
5. The monthly Regional Focus Group Meetings since October 2013.
6. Advanced Forecaster Course Science Week, 29th July to 1st August 2014
7. The Advanced Satellite Meteorology subject of the BMTC Graduate Diploma of Meteorology Training Course, August 2014.
8. Additional information provided during these sessions included latest JMA updates on product delivery and other details pertaining to Himawari 8. Forecaster feedback pertaining to the operational use of the 10 minute MTSAT-1R data of HIWC was also presented. A JMA staff member assisted during the AOMSUC-4 Training Event, especially during the rapid scan and RGB product practical sessions.
9. The above training served as useful experience in preparation for the Bureau's National Himawari-8 Training Campaign scheduled for late 2014 / early 2015.

Important contacts

1. Ongoing contact with Sponsoring Satellite Operator (JMA) on many levels, including staff from the Data Processing Department, Satellite Program Division etc. These staff provided the latest updates such as dates of launch, data dissemination details and resources such as 5 minute rapid scan data over Japan. In turn, we provided information about proposed use of Himawari 8 data as well as emphasizing the importance of adapting satellite products to RAV low latitude regions.
2. Contacts within the Observations and Infrastructure section of the Bureau of Meteorology regarding data delivery, types of products etc.
3. Contacts with Satellite Champions within the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Regional Forecasting Centres and BMKG Indonesia, as per the EUMETSAT model.
4. Other RAV and RAII contacts.

Engaging workshop?

When evaluating our courses we continuously ask our participants whether the course was engaging and interesting.

One simple way to evaluate it is to monitor what happens in the classroom when the lunch / coffee breaks are due.

The example below shows the CM-SAF workshop  ongoing in Helsinki 7-11 October 2013. The local organiser Aku R. (top photo on left) is kindly reminding the participants not to forget the coffee break.

Coffee break reminder at CM-SAF Workshop in Helsinki 8 October 2013. At this point coffee break had officially started already 20 minutes ago.

But the results are modest (bottom photo).

The effect of reminder is modest on participants.Working on data is more interesting.

CM-SAF Climate workshop is an example of a workshop with few presentations but instead a lot of individual work and continuously available instructors to help when problems occur. This type of working is quite different from many workshops, where the programme is more presentation based.