Cloud Index and Motion Fields from GOES-15 Satellite for Tucson, AZ Region

Data from the GOES-15 geostationary satellite centered around Tucson, Arizona, used for intra-hour cloud index forecasting. The dataset includes cloud index fields, wind fields from a WRF model, and dense optical flow cloud motion data derived from satellite images for specific days in 2014. It was created by Travis M. Harty of the University of Arizona to support the paper 'Intra-hour cloud index forecasting with data assimilation.'

Use Cases

• Training machine learning models for intra-hour cloud index forecasting based on the described satellite-derived cloud index fields.
• Validating optical flow algorithms for cloud motion tracking using the provided dense optical flow data.
• Assimilating satellite and numerical weather prediction data for solar forecasting based on the combined cloud index and WRF model wind fields.
• Analyzing cloud patterns and motion over the Southwestern United States based on the specified geographic domain.

Strengths

• Includes data from a specific, well-defined geographic domain (approximately 27.22° N to 37.22° N and 115.97° W to 105.97° W).
• Contains multiple data types relevant for forecasting: cloud index fields, WRF model wind fields, and optical flow motion vectors.
• Associated with a published research paper, providing context and methodological details.

Limitations

• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Temporal coverage is limited to specific days in April, May, and June of 2014.

Provenance

Source

GOES-15 geostationary satellite and a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model run.

Collection Method

Cloud index fields derived from satellite images; wind fields from a WRF model; optical flow data calculated using a referenced computer vision method.

Time Range

Specific days in April, May, and June 2014.

Geography

Region centered on Tucson, Arizona, USA, from approximately 27.22° N to 37.22° N and 115.97° W to 105.97° W.