A GOES-Eye View of A GOES-Eye View of Rod Scofield’s LegacyRod Scofield’s Legacy

Robert J. KuligowskiRobert J. Kuligowski

NOAA/NESDIS Center for Satellite NOAA/NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR)Applications and Research (STAR)

National Weather Association 31st Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH 14-19 October 2006

Personal InformationPersonal Information

Born 3 December 1942 in Louisville, KY; Born 3 December 1942 in Louisville, KY; brotherbrother Wolfe Wolfe

Died 25 February 2006 in Pomfret, MDDied 25 February 2006 in Pomfret, MD Married Married Joyce Joyce WiedmarWiedmar ScofieldScofield in 1964;in 1964;

3 children3 children MichelleMichelle Matthew and daughter-in-law StaceyMatthew and daughter-in-law Stacey

• Two grandchildren: Julianna and EthanTwo grandchildren: Julianna and Ethan Brett and daughter-in-law KellieBrett and daughter-in-law Kellie

Education:Education: B.S. in Physics from the University of Louisville, 1964B.S. in Physics from the University of Louisville, 1964 M.S. in Meteorology from Saint Louis University, 1969M.S. in Meteorology from Saint Louis University, 1969 Ph.D. in Meteorology from Saint Louis University, 1973Ph.D. in Meteorology from Saint Louis University, 1973

Career:Career: NWS Techniques Development Laboratory, 1972-1973NWS Techniques Development Laboratory, 1972-1973 NMC Development Division, 1973-1974NMC Development Division, 1973-1974 NESS / NESDIS, 1974-2006NESS / NESDIS, 1974-2006

Education and CareerEducation and Career

Satellite Rainfall Estimation: IFFASatellite Rainfall Estimation: IFFA

Developed the NESDIS original operational Developed the NESDIS original operational satellite rainfall technique with Vince Oliver in satellite rainfall technique with Vince Oliver in the late 1970’s, which led to the Interactive Flash the late 1970’s, which led to the Interactive Flash Flood Analyzer (IFFA) in the early 1980’s.Flood Analyzer (IFFA) in the early 1980’s.

Spearheaded numerous modifications over the Spearheaded numerous modifications over the years:years: applications for winter storms applications for winter storms applications for tropical cyclones—including 0-24h applications for tropical cyclones—including 0-24h

forecasts of rainfall potentialforecasts of rainfall potential adjustments for “warm-top” convectionadjustments for “warm-top” convection

STILL in use by SAB analysts nearly 30 years STILL in use by SAB analysts nearly 30 years later!later!

Satellite Rainfall Estimation: Satellite Rainfall Estimation: AutomationAutomation

The labor-intensive nature of the IFFA limited The labor-intensive nature of the IFFA limited timeliness and coverage, so Rod worked with timeliness and coverage, so Rod worked with Gilberto Vicente to develop an automated Gilberto Vicente to develop an automated version called the Auto-Estimator in the late version called the Auto-Estimator in the late 1990’s.1990’s.

The follow-up Hydro-Estimator was developed The follow-up Hydro-Estimator was developed with Clay Davenport in the early 2000’s.with Clay Davenport in the early 2000’s.

The HE is the NESDIS operational algorithm and The HE is the NESDIS operational algorithm and has been available to NWS field offices via has been available to NWS field offices via AWIPS since 2003.AWIPS since 2003.

Flash Flood ForecastingFlash Flood Forecasting Techniques for predicting the behavior of Techniques for predicting the behavior of

Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS’s)Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS’s) Techniques for predicting instability burst Techniques for predicting instability burst

associated with extratropical cyclonesassociated with extratropical cyclones Multi-scale “forecasting funnel” approach for Multi-scale “forecasting funnel” approach for

identifying flash flood risk regionsidentifying flash flood risk regions Worked with Rao Achutuni to develop a SSM/I-Worked with Rao Achutuni to develop a SSM/I-

based surface wetness index to identify flood-based surface wetness index to identify flood-risk regionsrisk regions

Working with Clay Davenport to develop the Working with Clay Davenport to develop the Hydro-Nowcaster—an automated 0-3 h satellite-Hydro-Nowcaster—an automated 0-3 h satellite-based techniquebased technique

Education and OutreachEducation and Outreach

Forecaster / analyst trainingForecaster / analyst training WFO’sWFO’s COMETCOMET NWS Technical Training CenterNWS Technical Training Center

Teacher EducationTeacher Education AMS Project AtmosphereAMS Project Atmosphere Satellite Education Conference (West Chester, PA)Satellite Education Conference (West Chester, PA)

Student education at various grade levelsStudent education at various grade levels NWS Visiting Professor of Satellite Meteorology NWS Visiting Professor of Satellite Meteorology

(1984)(1984)

International CollaborationInternational Collaboration Hosted numerous visiting scientists from China, Hosted numerous visiting scientists from China,

Australia, Costa Rica, Argentina, and elsewhere.Australia, Costa Rica, Argentina, and elsewhere. Medal from the Central Weather Bureau of Medal from the Central Weather Bureau of

Taiwan in 1992 for outstanding leadership in the Taiwan in 1992 for outstanding leadership in the applications of satellite data for flash flood applications of satellite data for flash flood forecasting over Southeast Asia.forecasting over Southeast Asia.

Award from the Central Weather Bureau of the Award from the Central Weather Bureau of the People’s Republic of China in 2005People’s Republic of China in 2005

The Hydro-Estimator is being run operationally The Hydro-Estimator is being run operationally in Mexico and Costa Rica, and has also been in Mexico and Costa Rica, and has also been adapted for use in Argentina.adapted for use in Argentina.

Awards and RecognitionAwards and Recognition NOAA Bronze Medal (1989) and Group NOAA Bronze Medal (1989) and Group

Bronze Medals (1999, 2001)Bronze Medals (1999, 2001) Department of Commerce Gold Medal Department of Commerce Gold Medal

(1999)(1999) AMS Fellow (2002) and Reichelderfer AMS Fellow (2002) and Reichelderfer

Award (1999)Award (1999) University of Louisville College of Arts and University of Louisville College of Arts and

Sciences Alumni Fellow in 2000Sciences Alumni Fellow in 2000 NWA Councilor and past President (2000)NWA Councilor and past President (2000)

Building on the LegacyBuilding on the Legacy GOES-based rainfall estimation and nowcasting GOES-based rainfall estimation and nowcasting

are being transitioned into the GOES-R era to are being transitioned into the GOES-R era to take advantage of new ABI capabilitiestake advantage of new ABI capabilities

Tropical Rainfall Potential (TRaP) based on Tropical Rainfall Potential (TRaP) based on microwave rain rates has users worldwidemicrowave rain rates has users worldwide

Multi-sensor, multi-platform QPE is being Multi-sensor, multi-platform QPE is being explored via the NMQ collaboration with NSSL explored via the NMQ collaboration with NSSL and OHDand OHD

Outreach via COMET, VISIT, and DataStreme Outreach via COMET, VISIT, and DataStreme continuescontinues

““If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants.” –Sir Isaac Newton, 1676shoulders of giants.” –Sir Isaac Newton, 1676

Thank you my friends and Good Luck !

Available Moisture and Instability?

Presence of lifting/lid?

Presence of Boundaries?

The Flash Flood Forecasting FunnelQuestions to ask when preparing flash flood forecasts

GlobalScale

SynopticScale

Mesocale

Storm Scale

Satellite Imagery Interpretation/SignaturesConceptual Models

Products

Flow Patterns?

Moisture Plumes?

Precipitation Rate/ Accumulation ?

Duration of Precipitation ?

Feedback Processes/ Modification of Environment ?

Local Effects ?

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