GOES-R IFR Probabilities (Upper Left), GOES-R Low IFR Probabilities (Upper Right), GOES-R MVFR Probabilities (Lower Left) and GOES-R Cloud Thickness (Lower Right), time as indicated (Click to enlarge)

The default colorbars for GOES-R IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) Probabilities, Low IFR Probabilities and MVFR (Mostly Visible Flight Rules) Probabilities change colors at different break points, as shown above (by where the arrows are, for example). IFR Probabilities switch from white to orange/yellow at around 40%, vs. 30% for LIFR and 55% for MVFR. A statistical analysis of the surface observations was used in the development of the colorbars. Highest skill at detecting the category was assigned the reddest colors. One could therefore infer from this that there is in general less skill in detecting MVFR conditions than LIFR conditions. For a given event, however, as shown above, MVFR probabilities will in general be larger than IFR or LIFR probabilities.

Let the color of the colorbar guide the interpretation. Black and white values mean the category (IFR conditions, for example) is unlikely, yellow means it’s possible, and red means it is highly likely. MVFR probabilities have higher thresholds than LIFR probabilities because of skill differences in predicting the different visibilities associated with the sky conditions.