Authors
Austin Coleman (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), Noah Brauer (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), Matthew Green (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), James Correia Jr. (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), Sarah Trojniak (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), Massey Bartolini (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), Tomer Burg (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), Dana Tobin (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), Erica Bower (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), David Bright (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), Andrew Clair (CIRES,NOAA/WPC), James Nelson (NOAA/WPC)

Abstract

The development and enhancement of tools that support forecast operations is a cornerstone of CIRES work conducted at the Weather Prediction Center’s (WPC’s) Development and Training Branch (DTB). The team focuses on creating products to support the prediction of extreme precipitation, winter storms, and excessive heat, all of which are central components at the Forecast Operations Branch (FOB) of WPC. However, many of these tools are developed with National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices in mind as well, thus supporting localized forecast operations nationwide. Central to the development of these products is the Hydrometeorology Testbed (HMT), a hub for idea exchange between researchers and forecasters and a place to test cutting-edge new technologies on real weather events. Every year, the HMT conducts the Winter Weather Experiment (WWE) and the Flash Flood and Intense Rainfall Experiment (FFaIR). Moreover, this year will mark the first annual Atmospheric River (AR) Testbed Experiment. In addition to fostering strong connections between research and operations via the HMT, CIRES researchers work extensively with forecasters to develop and improve a variety of forecasting and nowcasting tools. These include, but are not limited to, the Urban Rain Rate Dashboard, Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI), the Ensemble Situational Awareness, Clustering, and Sensitivity Analysis Tools, the Extreme Precipitation Monitor, Weather in Context, and a variety of satellite tools. This poster will provide a broad overview of all of these operationally-oriented CIRES activities at DTB.