transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Short-term Prediction Research and Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) ProjectTransition (SPoRT) Project
Overview
NWS SSD and NASA/SPoRT Meeting3 March, 2010
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Mission: Apply unique NASA Earth science research and observations to improve the accuracy of short-term (0-24 hr) weather prediction at the regional and local scale – work mainly with WFOs
http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/sport http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/sportblog
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
History of SPoRT Products to WFOs• Exploit NASA EOS data for weather applications through direct broadcast• First MODIS image in AWIPS in Feb 03; suite of products to 3 WFOs• LMA data to HSV in Apr 03; improve lead time for occurrence of severe
weather• MODIS suite expanded to include coastal WFOs who were excited about high
resolution SSTs leading to MODIS SST composite• Share tools with extended product dissemination efforts (e.g. Univ. of
Wisconsin)• MODIS SSTs and AIRS profiles and radiances used to improve initializations for
weather forecasting models resulting in improved forecastsCurrent State of SPoRT Products• Over 30 products from MODIS, AMSR-E, AIRS, NALMA, GOES in AWIPS - 15
WFOs, in use by HWT• MODIS SSTs incorporated into V3 of WRF EMS
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operationstransitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
We don’t just “throw unique data over the fence” to an end user!
SPoRT Paradigm• match observations/capabilities to forecast problems• develop / assess solution in “testbed”, transition to decision support system• conduct training, product assessment and impact
Southern Region Forecast Problems
SPoRT Paradigm / Forecast Problems
• timing and location of severe weather• morning minimum temperatures (and its local
variations)• detection and monitoring of fog, smoke, fires• coastal weather processes (sea breeze convection /
temperatures)• development / movement of off-shore precipitation
processes – tropical systems• gap filler in data void regions – atmospheric rivers of
moisture
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Products to End UsersINSTRUMENT /
PRODUCT RESOLUTION END USER DSS FORMAT
MODIS Ch. Imagery (vis, 3.9, 6.7, 11 µm)
4 km, 1 km, 500 m (state), 250 m (WFO scale)
Selected WFOs
AWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, McIDAS
Multispectral composite images –natural/false color
4 km (CONUS), 1km (regional), 500m (state)
Selected WFOs
AWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, McIDAS
Derived image products
clouds (mask, CTP, phase) 4 km (CONUS) Selected WFOs
AWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, McIDAS
fog / low cloud (11 – 3.9 µm ) 4 km (CONUS), 1 km (regional)
Selected WFOs
AWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, McIDAS
LST, SST, LI, TPW 4 km (CONUS), 1 km (regional)
Selected WFOs
AWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, McIDAS
Temporal composite images
SST, chlorophyll 4 km, 2 km, 1 km HWT, WFOs
AWIPS, II, others
netCDF, GRiB
Non-image data fire and burn areas CONUS WFOs AWIPS II shape fileAMSR-E Rain rate, cloud water 5 km (CONUS); 21 km WFOs AWIPSII netCDF SSTs 38 km (CONUS) WFOs AWIPS netCDFTotal lightning data NALMA/DCLMA total lightning source densities
2 km / 2 minutes1 km/ 1 minute
Selected WFOs
AWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, GRiB
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Products to End UsersINSTRUMENT / PRODUCT RESOLUTION END USER DSS FORMAT
Combined Instrument products MODIS/AMSR-E SST composite 1 km (NA coastal regions) Coastal
WFOs AWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, McIDAS
POES/GOES SSTs 9 km (NH) TWC / WFOs
AWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, McIDAS
Blended TPW (from CIRA) 16 km (NH) Selected WFOs
AWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, McIDAS
MIMIC TPW (from UW) 10 (NH) The Weather Channel --- GeoTIFF
GOES
Channel imagery(vis, IR,WV) 1 km, 4 km The Weather Channel --- GeoTIFF
Aviation products (fog depth, icing, cloud base -NESDIS) 4 km (CONUS) Selected
WFOsAWIPS, AWIPSII
netCDF, McIDAS
GOES-R GLM proxy extent density 10 km / 2 minutes SPoRT AWIPSII GRiB ABI proxy imagery (vis, IR,
WV) 500 m, 1 km SPoRT AWIPSII McIDAS
Miscellaneous WRF LIS daily forecasts w/
MODIS SSTs (NSSL/HWT) 4 km (CONUS) Selected WFOs
AWIPS, AWIPSII GRiB
Surface analysis (T, Td, RH, wind, SSTs) – SPoRT ADAS 2 km Selected
WFOsAWIPS, AWIPSII GRiB
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
SPoRT MOU with NWS SRCollaboration between NASA / MSFC / SPoRT and the NWS / SR is guided by a
MOU between these two organizations. Original Memo was renewed in June 2009. Responsibilities include:
NOAA/NWS/SR• Support the collaboration between NASA and selected SR WFOs by hosting NASA
data sets on SR computer systems and encouraging WFO participation in NASA/MSFC program activities
• Allow for in-kind support of the SPoRT program objectives by forecasters, SOOs, and ITOs at individual WFOs that have agreed to collaborate with NASA
NASA / MSFC • Provide in-kind support for WFO access to unique real-time NASA data sets,
numerical modeling, data assimilation, and nowcasting capabilities• Work with NWS staff to make these products available in AWIPS /AWIPS II• Provide training on the use of new and unique NASA products• Conduct regular collaborative workshops which bring WFO forecasters, SOOs, and
other technical staff from the SR together with NASA scientists to improve the knowledge and understanding of advanced weather forecasting techniques of the NWS/SR staff
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
SPoRT Science Advisory CommitteeRepresent beneficiaries, partners, end users - diversity• Knowledgeable of research to transition activities and NASA observational and
research capabilities• Representatives from operational and research partners (NWS, NESDIS, NCEP)
Nominated by SAC / SPoRT and approved by HQs Program Manager• 7-10 members• Serve through 2-3 SAC reviews for continuity
Major activities• Serve as a knowledge resource on short-term weather prediction, satellite data and
derived products, mesoscale modeling, data assimilation issues, short-term weather forecasting and their impact on operational weather forecasting activities
• Provide scientific guidance and direction for future SPoRT activities including transitional activities and supporting research, and new collaborations and partnerships
• Participate in biennial reviews leading to report on program / project recommendations
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Team Structure and Staff
4.5 Government FTEs
7.5 Research Associates WYEs
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
MetricsMetricsEvaluate accomplishments through the use of program metrics
Publications •Peer reviewed on new research and transitional capabilities and techniques•Publication of transitional results and assessments are appropriate although not
always in peer-reviewed publications
Successful transitions•New products and research capabilities in end users decision support systems• Impact of NASA data / capabilities rather than number of transitions is importantCommunity recognition•Peer recognition as a community partner and “place to go” for the transition of
research capabilities to the operational weather community•Others adopting the SPoRT paradigm Reviews by outside committees•Biennial reviews by the SPoRT Science Advisory Committee
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
General AccomplishmentsPublications in the last 3 years alone
– Peer-reviewed journal (9) – observational techniques and model forecasts– Conference papers / presentations (58) – AMS, AGU, NWA, workshops– Numerous product assessment by partners / end users and >70 blog posts on usage of
NASA data to address forecast problems
EOS products in operations– Expansion of WFOs from 7 to 15, suite of 30 products and visualization capabilities
More effective data dissemination methods to end users – Use of NWS regional LDM servers vs. individual FTP– MODIS/AMSR-E SST composite default for WRF-EMS software
Assessments– Increased partner collaboration in last year with four separate assessment reports,
numerous product use surveysTraining– Web-based modules for MODIS, LMA, CIRA Blended TPW, GOES Aviation products – Short, science lectures delivered during 9 site WFO visits and via bi-monthly
coordination calls on topics of MODIS, AMSR-E, LIS, LMA, WRF-EMS, and GOES Aviation
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
OutreachOutreach
Outreach via web, blog, Facebook - more visibility to external community– Revamped SPoRT website , Wide World of SPoRT blog in (over 100 posts
since March 2009), >100 Facebook fans (mainly NWS)– Utilized MSFC PAO to produce science@nasa articles, NASA Spinoff
magazine stories, and other news stories
Miscellaneous– Provide quarterly progress reports to 150 sport fans– Communicate progress and direction through the strategic plan and
biennial reports– Strengthen SPoRT staff – lightning , liaison, data assimilation – 2 civil
service, 1 ENSCO, 2 UAH, Raytheon– Re-established NASA/NOAA MOU for SPoRT collaboration – NWS hiring a
shared NWS/NASA transition scientist
transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
SPoRT -- Successful Paradigm and ProjectSPoRT -- Successful Paradigm and Project
SPoRT success made possible by:
•Dedicate NASA, NOAA/NWS visionaries
•Conscientious NWS forecasters
•Brilliant NASA / NOAA scientists and information technology specialists
•NASA / MSFC and NWS Southern Region leaders who saw the value collaborative partnerships