NOAA Operations In Action

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  Precipitable Water Measuring Moisture in Earth’s Environment
  NOAA polar satellites' Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer, or AVHRR, helps monitor environmental precipitable water. Precipitable water is the overall water vapor contained in the atmosphere. Snow cover data from the AVHRR, along with topographical information, are used to show snow-water equivalent values and help determine the amount of water contained in the winter snow pack. Snow pack and precipitable water are important inputs to understanding flood risk.
  Precipitation Products: http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/atmosphere/rain.html
  Real-time flood data from the National Weather: http://water.weather.gov/ahps/

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  Satellite Precipitation Estimate (SPENES)
  In support of NOAA's mission to protect life and property, the Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB) provides satellite-based precipitation estimates and trends. These trends help guide the National Weather Service (NWS) to understand when heavy, circular rain could cause flash flooding. The SAB's precipitation estimates also play an important role in monitoring heavy rain and snow associated with winter storms and heavy lake effect snow.
  
  The estimates are a part of the Satellite Precipitation Estimate message (SPENES). In addition to the satellite precipitation estimates, the SPENES message includes a breakdown on related satellite based precipitation trends. In developing the SPENES message, satellite imagery is obtained from the NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES).
  Precipitation Products Images: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/PCPN/index.html

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  Monitoring Flood Changes in the United States
  In a paper entitled "Monitoring and Understanding Changes in Heat Waves, Cold Waves, Floods and Droughts in the United States: State of Knowledge" published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, scientists have rated their understanding of changes in extreme climate events including floods. They found that variations in atmospheric conditions, land use, and water management can all cause changes in river flooding events. Additionally, river flooding trends on the century scale do not show uniform changes across the United States. Flood magnitudes in the Southwest have been decreasing while flood magnitudes in the Northeast and North Central states have been increasing.
  Understand the changes in heat waves, cold waves, flood, and droughts in the United States: http://go.usa.gov/TRuQ
  Review the analyses of maximun precipitation estimates and the impacts of a wetter future: http://go.usa.gov/TRuw

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  GOES satellites composite image of moisture levels in the Northern US Hemisphere.
  In this image, cloud cover capable of producing heavy moisture is indicated by the yellow to red colors. Without the NOAA satellite sentinels in the sky, our ability to prepare for weather events would be almost nonexistent. GOES images are used in a variety of ways, methods, and uses worldwide to monitor cloud cover, measure precipitation, monitor snow cover and melting of the polar caps, as well as provide current data and images of the Earth. Weather forecasters use GOES images to reach millions daily with advice and tips on how to prepare for upcoming weather. First responders prepare for weather events to help save lives and property the world over.
  
  Satellites enable us to provide consistent, long-term observations, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They track fast breaking storms across “Tornado Alley” as well as tropical storms in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. NOAA operates two types of satellite systems for the United States - geostationary satellites and polar-orbiting satellites. Geostationary satellites constantly monitor the Western Hemisphere from around 22,240 miles above the Earth, and polar-orbiting satellites circle the Earth and provide global information from 540 miles above the Earth.
  View GOES images at :http://www.goes.noaa.gov/