NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) are a mainstay of weather forecasts and environmental monitoring in the United States. The next generation of GOES satellites, known as the GOES-R Series, represents significant advancements in the near real-time observation of severe weather across the Western Hemisphere. The GOES-R satellite, the first in the series that also includes GOES-S, GOES-T and GOES-U, launched on November 19, 2016. GOES-R became GOES-16 when it reached geostationary orbit and is now operational as GOES-East. The recently launched GOES-S, now known as GOES-17, is undergoing post-launch checkout and validation. GOES-17 will be operational as GOES-West, giving the nation two next-generation GOES to watch over the Western Hemisphere.

GOES-16 is proving to be a game changer for forecasters. The improved resolution, faster coverage and increased number of spectral channels available from the satellite’s Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) allow for “nowcasting” of severe storms and discernment of atmospheric features not available with the previous GOES imager. The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), the first operational lightning mapper flown in geostationary orbit, will deliver further benefit for severe storm forecasting. Total lightning (in-cloud and cloud-to-ground) data from GLM, used in combination with radar, ABI data, and surface observations, has great potential to increase lead time for severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings and reduce false alarm rates. GOES-16 also hosts a suite of instruments that provide significantly improved detection of approaching space weather hazards.

This presentation will provide an operational GOES-16 status including imagery and data use in operational forecasts. It also includes an update on the launch of GOES-S (GOES-17) as well as the latest on GOES-T and GOES-U development.