Water and moisture are important to life and health on Earth. However, extreme events like flooding from too much rain or snow-melt runoff, can cause widespread damage to human property and natural resources. NOAA satellites' data and other climate indicators help scientists study air moisture and precipitation that could lead to flooding as well as the effects of flooding to develop short and long-term mitigation plans. These products support the National Weather Service and other first responders responsible for protecting life and property during environmental adversities.
View this Four-PanelOn April 24, NOAA's partners, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), will declare its new Metop-B satellite operational, after a successful launch in September 2012 and subsequent check-out period. Replacing the Metop-A satellite, Metop-B will be the primary satellite for providing environmental satellite information for both EUMETSAT and NOAA in the mid-morning polar orbit. NOAA and EUMETSAT fly satellites with identical or closely-related instruments in different orbits and share the data freely, allowing both organizations to leverage the others' investment to improve weather forecasts through the use of additional environmental data.
View this Four-PanelNOAA satellites and products aid in the watch of storms and assist NOAA's National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center's (SPC) work. Not only do satellites provide the data that drive weather models, but they also provide rapidly updated information to SPC and other forecasters that update much faster than most weather models.
View this Four-PanelIn order to fulfill NOAA's environmental satellite monitoring mission, NESDIS maintains vital partnerships with organizations across the world to provide real-time access to environmental data and applications. The data from our partners' satellite systems enable the sharing of information on global atmospheric circulations, sea-surface temperatures and height, wind, and other data. NESDIS is part of a global network of environmental satellite agencies actively monitoring environmental events and increasing our scientific literacy of global climate change.
View this Four-PanelIt all started more than half a century ago when "TIROS" became the world's first weather satellite. The Television Infrared Observation Satellite or TIROS-1 was an experiment to see if a satellite carrying cameras could effectively photograph cloud formation above the earth. The results were astounding, and the age of environmental satellite monitoring was born. NOAA's satellites and information have come a long way since then. Take a look at how our work and our capabilities have changed over the years.
View this Four-PanelIt all started more than half a century ago when "TIROS" became the world's first weather satellite. The Television Infrared Observation Satellite or TIROS-1 was an experiment to see if a satellite carrying cameras could effectively photograph cloud formation above the earth. The results were astounding, and the age of environmental satellite monitoring was born. NOAA's satellites and information have come a long way since then. Take a look at how our work and our capabilities have changed over the years.
View this Four-PanelNOAA satellites and information are critical to forecasting, monitoring, and responding to natural disasters. Drought has been called a 'slow moving disaster,' affecting food and water supplies, and leading to soil degradation and higher risk of forest fire. Using polar-orbiting satellite observations, ground measurements, and climate analysis, NOAA monitors drought conditions and their effects, predicts future drought, and assists in response and mitigation efforts.
View this Four-PanelAs the seasons change, NOAA satellites and information monitor the environment and help the public respond to environmental and weather phenomena. With meteorological spring upon us, cold weather and snow accumulation change to warming temperatures and snowmelt. Understanding the implications of winter as well as the previous seasonal temperateness can have substantial effects on public safety and the economy.
View this Four-PanelSnow cover is more than just a reason for school to be cancelled or to hit the slopes - the extent and duration of snow and ice cover influences commerce, military operations, and safety worldwide. Better understanding current and historical snow cover improves our ability to predict future changes and adapt to changing climate conditions.
View this Four-PanelThe weekend of February 11th, brought a powerful storm to the US East Coast. Some US New England cities saw upwards of three feet of snow. The same powerful system also brought severe weather to the central Gulf Coast on Sunday and rain to the southern U.S. and Mid-Atlantic on Monday. NOAA's GOES East Satellite and the VIIRS instrument on the NOAA-NASA Suomi-NPP Mission captured the storm's movements, providing real-time data for forecast and warnings
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