Satellite Analysis Branch

The United States Satellite Analysis Branch, part of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service's Satellite Services Division, is the operational focal point for real-time imagery products within NESDIS. It is also responsible for doing Dvorak technique intensity fixes on tropical cyclones. Its roots lie in the establishment of the Meteorological Satellite Section by January 1959.[1]

Its primary mission is to "operate new proof of concept satellite analysis techniques needed to support disaster mitigation and warning services" for the U.S. government and its agencies.[2] It also distributes real-time satellite imagery from geostationary satellites.[3] The SAB also produces graphics for Tropical Rainfall Potential forecasts for all tropical systems in the Western Hemisphere and many in the Eastern Hemisphere.[4]

Away from tropical cyclones, the SAB functions as the Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, having been designated as such by the International Civil Aviation Organization in 1997.[5] It also does snow and ice analysis, and has done so, along with its parent organizations NESDIS and SSD, since 1966.[6]

References
  1. Staff (January 1959). "Meteorological Satellite Section" (PDF). Weather Bureau Topics. United States Weather Bureau: 4. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  2. Mission Statement - Satellite Services Division
  3. About the Satellite Services Division
  4. Satellite Services Division - Areal Tropical Rainfall Potential (TRaP)
  5. P8.9 Operational Satellite Analysis Techniques of Volcanic Ash Detection and Height Determination at the Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC): Methods, Problems, and New Techniques (2006 - Annual2006_12aram)
  6. IMS Daily Northern Hemisphere Snow and Ice Analysis at 4 km and 24 km Resolution


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