20
BAMOS
Dec 2019
Article
How Himawari‐8 data revolutionised
the work of Bureau Forecasters
Bodo Zeschke, Mike Willmott, Agnes Lane and Anthony Rea
Bureau of Meteorology
Email: [email protected]
The availability of geostationary satellite data is crucial for
the effective delivery of high quality forecast products by
Australian Bureau of Meteorology operational forecasters. This
is particularly because Australia is a large country surrounded
by ocean with sparse coverage by other observational data.
The Himawari‑8 data as supplied by the Japan Meteorological
Agency have been used by Bureau of Meteorology staff
since early 2015. A "Himawari‑8 Data Use" questionnaire was
circulated to Bureau staff during 2017 to assess the impact
of this new revolutionary satellite data. The feedback from
115 Bureau Meteorologists constituting approximately 50%
of Bureau forecasters has been collected and compiled into a
research paper.
The results indicate that the significant increase in temporal,
spatial and spectral detail of the Himawari‑8 satellite
when compared to previous geostationary satellites has
revolutionised the way Bureau meteorologists do their work.
The paper presents five key findings based on the forecaster's
feedback.
Firstly, forecasters are using the Himawari‑8 data more
effectively within the forecasting process. Himawari‑8 data
can be readily combined with other observational data due to
similar temporal frequency. The high resolution and colourful
Himawari‑8 data and data products make it easier for the
forecaster to recognise the drivers, as well as the development
stages, of hazardous weather. Varying the animation speeds of
this 10‑minute imagery permits unprecedented insight into
mesoscale meteorological processes.
Secondly, changes in a forecaster's workflow have occurred
because of the enhanced usefulness of the Himawari‑8 satellite
data. This has reinforced the good forecaster practice of
"observations first, Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) data
second". Indeed Himawari‑8 data are often used in preference
to other observational data, for example during the initial
stages of thunderstorm formation.
Thirdly, there is increased confidence in using the new data
by forecasters. Better interrogation of the current situation
is possible with the high quality imagery having less false
Improvement in the detection and monitoring of various weather events and atmospheric phenomena in the transition
from MTSAT‑2 to Himawari‑8 data.