ESSIC/CISESS Scientist Christopher Smith, GOES-R Satellite Liaison for the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center (WPC) and Ocean Prediction Center, received a 2025 WPC Peer Award on 12 September 2025.
Smith received this award in recognition of his role in helping to facilitate two of the WPC Hydrometeorological Test Bed (HMT) experiments: the Precipitation Experiment for Atmospheric Rivers and the Flash Flood and Intense Rainfall Experiment. These initiatives are designed to accelerate the evaluation and implementation of emerging technologies to improve WPC products and services. Through this work, Smith gained valuable insights into new applications for heavy rainfall and winter weather forecasting, while also identifying evolving forecaster needs that could be addressed with satellite imagery and derived products.
Smith joined ESSIC/CISESS, University of Maryland in 2023 and is the GOES-R Satellite Liaison for the NWS Weather and Ocean Prediction Centers. Smith works to interpret experimental satellite imagery and products, and make such products available to forecasters and the NWS for a route to operations. He trains forecasters how to use satellite imagery in weather forecasting, while also delivering forecaster feedback to satellite developers to maximize meteorological satellite capabilities. Smith is an alumni of the UMD Atmospheric & Oceanic Science (AOSC) Department, and his long-term interests include infusing AI-Satellite Products to increase lead time in decision making for forecasters. Smith is also the author of the Satellite Liaison Blog.
