CI: day vs. night... advantages of higher resolution data

Forecasters operating over the Davenport, IA CWA area brought up some questions regarding what they were seeing in the UAH-CI SATCAST product's output this evening.  There was some confusion why all of the sudden the amount of objects (and shape of objects) being forecast for CI rapidly increased over one satellite scan.  The forecaster spoke with the UAH visiting scientist about this and it was explained very well to the forecaster that the issue is the switch from the products daytime-only cloud mask to the nighttime cloud mask.

The UAH-CI SATCAST product makes use of the visible data within its cloud mask when it is available to aid in identifying small growing cumulus clouds.  During the day, this is extremely beneficial, but since visible data is not available at night, the product is unable to make such high spatial identifications of growing clouds.  This really shows the benefit of having higher resolution satellite data like that which will be available on GOES-R's ABI during all times of the day.... not only for imagery, but for derived products and decision support tools as well.

 UAH-CI SATCAST in daytime mode.

UAH-CI SATCAST in nighttime mode.