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A GOES-Eye View of Rod Scofield’s Legacy

A GOES-Eye View of Rod Scofield’s Legacy. Robert J. Kuligowski NOAA/NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). National Weather Association 31 st Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH 14-19 October 2006. Personal Information. Born 3 December 1942 in Louisville, KY; brother Wolfe

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A GOES-Eye View of Rod Scofield’s Legacy

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  1. A GOES-Eye View of Rod Scofield’s Legacy Robert J. Kuligowski NOAA/NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) National Weather Association 31st Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH 14-19 October 2006

  2. Personal Information • Born 3 December 1942 in Louisville, KY; brotherWolfe • Died 25 February 2006 in Pomfret, MD • Married Joyce Wiedmar Scofield in 1964;3 children • Michelle • Matthew and daughter-in-law Stacey • Two grandchildren: Julianna and Ethan • Brett and daughter-in-law Kellie

  3. Education and Career • Education: • B.S. in Physics from the University of Louisville, 1964 • M.S. in Meteorology from Saint Louis University, 1969 • Ph.D. in Meteorology from Saint Louis University, 1973 Career: • NWS Techniques Development Laboratory, 1972-1973 • NMC Development Division, 1973-1974 • NESS / NESDIS, 1974-2006

  4. Satellite Rainfall Estimation: IFFA • Developed the NESDIS original operational satellite rainfall technique with Vince Oliver in the late 1970’s, which led to the Interactive Flash Flood Analyzer (IFFA) in the early 1980’s. • Spearheaded numerous modifications over the years: • applications for winter storms • applications for tropical cyclones—including 0-24h forecasts of rainfall potential • adjustments for “warm-top” convection • STILL in use by SAB analysts nearly 30 years later!

  5. Satellite Rainfall Estimation: Automation • The labor-intensive nature of the IFFA limited timeliness and coverage, so Rod worked with Gilberto Vicente to develop an automated version called the Auto-Estimator in the late 1990’s. • The follow-up Hydro-Estimator was developed with Clay Davenport in the early 2000’s. • The HE is the NESDIS operational algorithm and has been available to NWS field offices via AWIPS since 2003.

  6. Flash Flood Forecasting • Techniques for predicting the behavior of Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS’s) • Techniques for predicting instability burst associated with extratropical cyclones • Multi-scale “forecasting funnel” approach for identifying flash flood risk regions • Worked with Rao Achutuni to develop a SSM/I-based surface wetness index to identify flood-risk regions • Working with Clay Davenport to develop the Hydro-Nowcaster—an automated 0-3 h satellite-based technique

  7. Education and Outreach • Forecaster / analyst training • WFO’s • COMET • NWS Technical Training Center • Teacher Education • AMS Project Atmosphere • Satellite Education Conference (West Chester, PA) • Student education at various grade levels • NWS Visiting Professor of Satellite Meteorology (1984)

  8. International Collaboration • Hosted numerous visiting scientists from China, Australia, Costa Rica, Argentina, and elsewhere. • Medal from the Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan in 1992 for outstanding leadership in the applications of satellite data for flash flood forecasting over Southeast Asia. • Award from the Central Weather Bureau of the People’s Republic of China in 2005 • The Hydro-Estimator is being run operationally in Mexico and Costa Rica, and has also been adapted for use in Argentina.

  9. Awards and Recognition • NOAA Bronze Medal (1989) and Group Bronze Medals (1999, 2001) • Department of Commerce Gold Medal (1999) • AMS Fellow (2002) and Reichelderfer Award (1999) • University of Louisville College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Fellow in 2000 • NWA Councilor and past President (2000)

  10. Building on the Legacy • GOES-based rainfall estimation and nowcasting are being transitioned into the GOES-R era to take advantage of new ABI capabilities • Tropical Rainfall Potential (TRaP) based on microwave rain rates has users worldwide • Multi-sensor, multi-platform QPE is being explored via the NMQ collaboration with NSSL and OHD • Outreach via COMET, VISIT, and DataStreme continues “If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants.” –Sir Isaac Newton, 1676

  11. Thank you my friends and Good Luck !

  12. The Flash Flood Forecasting Funnel Questions to ask when preparing flash flood forecasts Flow Patterns? Moisture Plumes? Global Scale Synoptic Scale Available Moisture and Instability? Presence of lifting/lid? Presence of Boundaries? Mesocale Precipitation Rate/ Accumulation ? Duration of Precipitation ? Feedback Processes/ Modification of Environment ? Local Effects ? Storm Scale  Satellite Imagery Interpretation/Signatures  Conceptual Models Products 

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