NOAA weather satellite launch could help local weather reporting

The National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are planning to add a new weather tool to the nation’s weather satellite fleet. The new tool may aid local weather reporting.The Joint Polar Satellite System-1, or JPPS-1, is expected to provide scientists and meteorologists with a wealth of data relative to weather extremes like blizzards, floods, hurricanes and even wildfires. Chris Buonanno, Science and Operations Officer for the National Weather Service in Little Rock, says forecasters will likely more accurately predict weather conditions further into the future.

Listen:

right-click to download mp3

It’s anticipated the improved weather predictions will enable KTLO, Classic Hits 101.7 and the Boot, the official weather reporting station in Mountain Home for the National Weather Service, to keep local residents up-to-date with more accurate forecasts and ahead of potentially dangerous weather-related conditions.

According to NASA, JPSS-1 is the first of four new weather satellites in this series, which is a joint collaboration between the two agencies.

Buonanno says meteorologists currently use polar-orbiting satellites, weather balloons, aircraft instruments and other sources for collecting data. However the JPPS-1 has advanced measuring capabilities other satellites do not have. It will collect planet-wide measurements 14 times a day from 512 miles above Earth’s surface. The data will be put into the numerical models currently used.

Combined with the high resolution images of the Geostationary Satellite Server (GOES), scientists are excited about the future.

Listen:

right-click to download mp3

The JPPS-1 was originally scheduled to launch November 10th. Due to a faulty battery the launch has been delayed to occur no earlier than Tuesday.

WebReady^TM Powered by WireReady^® NSI