NOAA Satellite Liaisons link satellite data to forecasters and hazard managers

NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) has described the work of its Satellite Liaisons, specialists who help National Weather Service forecasters, hydrologists, emergency managers and other users apply satellite observations in daily operations. The feature, published on 28 October 2026 by the Office of Low Earth Orbit Observations, says satellite data complements radar, balloons, aircraft, buoys and surface stations.

Liaisons work through workshops, seminars, testbeds, online training and visits to Weather Forecast Offices, using hands-on exercises, demonstrations and small-group discussions. Visits let them focus on a local office's particular hazards while collecting feedback on product performance, usability and operational needs for researchers and developers.

The liaisons also work with developers so that new products arrive with training materials covering capabilities, limitations and applications. Further examples appear in the 2025 LEO Science Digest.

Why it matters: The model shows how national meteorological and Earth observation agencies can close the gap between new satellite products and operational use through structured training and user feedback. African forecasting services adopting new satellite products could draw on similar approaches.