The GHCC obtains GOES East (GOES-12) real-time satellite data from a roof-top antenna. Data from both the Imager and Sounder instruments on-board the GOES satellite are ingested and are used to monitor developing weather conditions and to develop a number of useful products. The Imager provides high spatial resolution images (1 km visible and 4 km infrared) of the CONtinental United States (CONUS) up to 4 times an hour for 5 spectral channels. The Sounder provides 10 km resolution data of the CONUS once an hour for 19 spectral channels.

The Imager data provides the necessary measurements to derive surface insolation, surface albedo, and a cloud product, all at 4 km resolution. The hign radiometric accuracy of the Sounder data provides information on the vertical structure of the atmosphere. The Sounder is also used to derive several products, namely skin temperature, total precipitable water and a lower resolution cloud product.

Currently, these products are made from the Imager and the Sounder once an hour (at 45 minutes past) 24 hours a day, or during daylight hours (11-23 UTC), depending on the product. Images from the past two weeks can be viewed online. All the products are generated operationally at single pixel resolution. Products currently being studied and enhanced are also produced in an experimental mode, again at single pixel resolution.