 Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division (SMCD)
Operational Products Development Branch (OPDB)
The Operational Products Development Branch (OPDB) (originally
the Forecast Products Development Team) was formed in June, 1996 by the merger
of the Sounding Improvement Branch (SIB) and Physical Science Branch (PSB)
within NESDIS' Office of Research and Applications OPDB
conducts applied research on the use of geostationary and polar satellite data
for the analysis of significant meteorological, and surface-based
phenomena. OPDB also works in tandem with NESDIS operations to implement
scientific techniques developed within NESDIS and elsewhere to produce
quantitative, derived products, as well as subjective, pattern
recognition techniques.
Examples of objective products are: Quantitative Precipitation Estimates
for flash flood forecasting, Derived Product Imagery (DPI) such as Lifted
Index which is used to predict the likelihood of convective storms, polar and
geostationary sounding profiles, high density winds (IR cloud drift and
water vapor motion), aviation products (fog, aircraft icing, microburst,
and volcanic ash products), and cloud height and amount to supplement the
National Weather Service
Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) sites.
Subjective products include image techniques to:
- recognize the development of mid-latitude and tropical cyclones,
- identify severe thunderstorms, and
- locate areas of significant clear air turbulence (CAT).
OPDB provides support in training NWS and DoD forecasters through the
development of in-residence and distance learning courses at the
Cooperative Program for Meteorological Education and Training
(COMET) in Boulder, Colorado.
The highest priority of OPDB's research and development activity is to
help improve short range warnings and forecasts in support of NOAA's
mission. As a result, its principal customer is the National Weather Service.
Other important users are the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department
of Agriculture, and international agencies such as the World
Meteorological Organization and foreign weather services.
Projects
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