GOES-17 arrived at its operational location of 137.2 degrees west longitude on November 13, 2018 and began sending first images from its new vantage point over the Pacific Ocean. The Hawaiian Islands are seen in stunning detail in this GeoColor imagery from November 13, 2018. In this imagery, high-level clouds are moving over low clouds and convective clouds form on the windward side of the mountain slopes of the islands.

Launched on March 1, 2018, GOES-17 has been undergoing post-launch checkout and testing for the past several months and was recently handed over from the GOES-R Series Program to NOAA’s Office of Satellite and Product Operations. GOES-17 undergo additional testing in its new location before entering into operational service as NOAA’s GOES West satellite on December 10, 2018. GOES-17 joins its sister satellite, GOES-16, which is operating in the GOES East position. Together, the two satellites view more than half the Earth in high-definition – from the west coast of Africa to New Zealand.

Please note: All GOES-17 data is considered preliminary and non-operational until December 10, 2018.

Imagery Credit: NOAA/CIRA

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