SBC Session 46 - An Introduction to the VIIRS Snowmelt RGB

The VIIRS instrument includes a channel at 1.24 um that is not present on any current geostationary satellite imager. In this talk, I will highlight the utility of this channel for monitoring the condition of the surface snowpack and how this channel is used in the new Snowmelt RGB. The Snowmelt RGB is shown to have utility in detecting fresh snow on top of old snow, distinguishing areas of mixed-precipitation (wet snow, sleet and freezing rain) from powder snow, and observing snowmelt. Observations of snowmelt may be a useful precursor for flooding. Plus, the ability to characterize snow grain size and surface wetness may have applications for ground blizzards. In addition, the ability to detect fresh snow on top of old snow may have utility for assessing avalanche risk. Thanks to the efforts of GINA, the NWS in Alaska has been receiving this product since late-summer 2019. As of March 2021, CIRA is now making CONUS tiles available on LDM. We look forward to working with forecasters to distribute and evaluate this new product.

About the Presenter: Curtis received his B.S. from the University of Michigan followed by his M.S. & PhD at Colorado State University, all in atmospheric science, and has been working at CIRA since 2012. Most of his recent work is focused on the development of multispectral satellite imagery products for hazard detection, and the production of imagery products for CIRA's SLIDER website. He is a member of the JPSS and GOES-R Imagery Teams and the lead of the METImage Imagery Team, which are being reorganized under the umbrella of the NOAA/NESDIS/STAR Imagery Team.

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