CIMSS-NOAA Weekly Report [ Archive ]

CIMSS-NOAA WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING MAY 29, 2026

DATA, INFORMATION, AND USE-INSPIRED SCIENCE:

PEOPLE, AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

TRAVEL AND MEETINGS:

TRAINING AND EDUCATION:

CIMSS Scientist Presents to Satellite Book Club: Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Scientist Tim Wagner recently presented to the NOAA Satellite Book Club a presentation entitled "Tropical Tribulations: Unique observational challenges of American Samoa and how satellites fill that niche" based on his experience as the satellite liaison for the Pacific National Weather Service (NWS) offices. This talk focused on the operational use of weather satellites at the NWS Pago Pago office and how they address the unique challenges of forecasting and nowcasting for a remote archipelago in the South Pacific, which include a lack of surface observations and no operational weather radar. An overview of the forecasters' most-used satellite products was given, information that was gained from one-on-one face-to-face discussions with them. These products include the standard visible and infrared window products from geostationary orbit, red-green-blue (RGB) imagery like the nighttime microphysics and air mass products, and more complex tools like the Morphed Integrated Microwave Imagery at CIMSS - Total Precipitable Water 2 (MIMIC-TPW2) product. Convective precipitation is the most significant weather threat, as it leads to flash flooding and mudslides, and the preferred tools reflect the need to monitor those kinds of situations. The presentation and ensuing discussion have been archived on the GEO-TOWR website for access by anyone with NOAA credentials. (T. Wagner, CIMSS, 608-890-1980)

MEDIA INTERACTIONS AND REQUESTS:

SOCIAL MEDIA AND BLOG Posts:

CIMSS Satellite Blog Updates: The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Satellite Blog was updated with the following posts: "Significant Upscale Growth of a Storm Over Tutuila, American Samoa" (May 22), "Satellite signatures of the SpaceX Starship Flight Test 12 launch" (May 22), "Pyrocumulonimbus clouds in the Northwest Territories, as detected by GOES-18 and GOES-16" (May 23) and "Anomalously deep polar low pressure system north of Greenland, and ice breakup in northern Baffin Bay" (May 26). (S. Bachmeier, T. Wagner, CIMSS, 608-890-1980)

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure: GOES-16 Rocket Plume RGB image at 2231 UTC on May 22, 2026 -- showing the high-altitude signature of superheated water vapor (shades of yellow to lime green) in the wake of the Super Heavy rocket booster, shortly after the launch of SpaceX Starship Flight Test 12 from the Starbase launch facility in South Texas.

  (Click image to enlarge)

Figure: NOAA-20 VIIRS Day/Night Band image at 0906 UTC on May 26, 2026 -- showing an anomalously deep polar low north of Greenland, along with the breakup of ice within the northeast portion of Baffin Bay.

PUBLICATIONS:

OTHER: