SPRING PROGRAM 2002

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/Spring_2002/
Science Support Area
9 May - 25 June 2002
 

Program Overview
and
Operations Plan
 

Paul R. Janish, Steven J. Weiss, Russell Schneider, and Phillip Bothwell
Storm Prediction Center
Norman, Oklahoma




I. Historical Perspective

Co-location of operational weather forecasters with research meteorologists provides a unique opportunity to advance the science of meteorology through a better understanding observed atmospheric processes and improved forecasts of them.  The benefits of such interaction is realized through the development and incorporation of new ideas and integration of new forecasting techniques into operations, such that forecasters enhance expertise and improve their ability to predict the weather.  Since 1996, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) and National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) have cultivated a strong working relationship through mutual interest in operationally relevant research in Norman, OK.  While informal interactions take place on a routine basis via daily map discussions, collaborative research studies (Baldwin et al. 2002; Kain et al. 2000, 2002; Weiss and Stensrud 2000; Evans and Doswell 2001; refs), and student intern/mentor programs (Bukovsky et al., 2002),  the cornerstone of this collaboration occurs during an intensive multi-week research effort conducted during the spring severe weather season each year.  This effort has become known as the “Spring Program.”

Conducting a real-time research and forecast verification exercise such as the Spring Program requires a considerable commitment from all organizations involved with regard to planning, preparation, and execution.  This multi-agency effort has received strong support by SPC, NSSL, and has expanded to include a wide range of participants including National Center for Environmental Prediction Center's Environmental Modeling Center [NCEP/EMC]; NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory [FSL]; National Weather Service Forecast Office, Norman, OK [WFO/OUN]; NWS Warning Decision Training Branch [WDTB]; and academia because project goals are carefully designed to address mission-critical interests of all organizations represented, as well as the broader research and forecasting communities.  Furthermore, support has been forthcoming because managers at these facilities recognize the numerous benefits to collaborative projects of this nature.  For example, research scientists benefit from working closely with forecasters by developing an appreciation for operational constraints and the practical limitations of various research products.  In turn, forecasters benefit by learning more about various research tools and products that are being tested for possible operational implementation.  In short, a major goal of the program is to empower forecasters to address operational forecast challenges from a more scientific perspective while helping researchers become better equipped to develop research projects that have operational relevance.

During the Spring of 2000 and 2001, the emphasis of these collaborative programs focused on critical SPC operational products including the short term predictability of severe and non-severe thunderstorms and potential impact on operational convective watch projection time (where projection time is typically defined as the time period between watch issuance and time of first severe report in the watch.   During Spring 2002, the goals of the Spring Program will be even more focused to concentrate on convective initiation in the vicinity of surface boundaries over the southern Great Plains while providing forecasting support for the International H2O Project (http://www.atd.ucar.edu/dir_off/projects/2002/IHOP.html).  This document will provide an overview of logistical, personnel, planning, forecast and verification issues involved in this year's program.
 
 
 

II. Program Motivation, Goals and Objectives

Given that the primary mission at the SPC is related to mesoscale forecasting of severe and/or hazardous weather, it is necessary to place a strong emphasis on diagnostic analysis using real-time observational data, as well as a range of predictive guidance from numerical weather prediction models.  However, owing to insufficient sampling of the mesoscale environment (especially when the distribution of water vapor is considered) coupled with limited scientific knowledge of important mesoscale and storm scale processes, considerable uncertainty still exists in the short-term prediction of convection.  As a result, it is important to more fully explore the potential use of operational and experimental mesoscale model guidance to see if and what information is available from them to help forecasters more confidently predict when and where convection will develop several hours in advance.  These forecast challenges pose equally important applied research problems for which scientists and modelers at NSSL and elsewhere are interested in exploring.

During May/June 2002, the International H2O Project (IHOP_2002) will be conducted over the Southern Great Plains.  The main goal of IHOP_2002 is to obtain more accurate and reliable measurements of low level temperature and moisture structures and associated atmospheric processes that will ultimately help in understanding when, where, and how storms form, leading to better prediction of rainfall amounts.  IHOP_2002 will involve more than 80 scientists from the U.S., Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Canada collaborating closely with various Oklahoma and Kansas-based laboratories and forecasting agencies including NSSL, SPC, WFO/OUN, and others.  IHOP_2002 is comprised of four (4) main research components:

Additional information and IHOP_2002 project goals can be found at:

http://www.atd.ucar.edu/dir_off/projects/2002/IHOP.html

In order to facilitate collaboration and interaction between SPC forecasters and research meteorologists which will advance operationally relevant research and improve forecasts, the 2002 Spring Program will be closely tied to IHOP_2002 operations.  Spring Program participants will provide Day 1 and Day 2 convective initiation probability forecasts across the Southern Great Plains as well as forecasts of MCS/LLJ probability for CI and QPF research components of IHOP_2002.  In addition, these forecasts will provide a catalyst for additional scientific exercises to be conducted by Spring Program participants, namely to explore ways of improving short-term forecasts of convective initiation and evolution, relevant to exploring ways of increasing lead time in SPC severe local storm watches.   Spring Program participants will focus on IHOP_2002 forecasting issues during morning hours and scientific exercises related to subjective verification of Day 1 forecasts and numerical weather prediction model parameters related to convective initiation in the afternoon.  Spring Program participants will not be directly involved in afternoon nowcasting operations during IHOP_2002.

Additional information on IHOP_2002 Forecasting and Nowcasting support can be found at:

http://www.atd.ucar.edu/dir_off/projects/2002/IHOPdocs/IHOPOpsPlan/v2_chapter8Ziegler.pdf



In summary, the 2002 Spring Program will have six (6) primary objectives:


 

III. Spring Program Web Site

A full listing of all current and archived Spring Program forecast products, subjective verification forms, and other relevant links are provided on the Spring Program web site:

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/Spring_2002

This web site is under development and will be fully operational by 9 May 2002. The site is intended to support real time operations as well as additional research and reference after the conclusion of the program.
 
 
 

IV. Dates and Participants

Spring Program 2002 will run M-F from 9 May through 25 June 2002.  Full time participants will work shifts of one week with part-time visiting scientists participating on a 2-3 day basis (schedule permitting). Program operations will be conducted in the Science Support Area (SSA) located adjacent to the SPC Operations area. The full time Spring Program team will consist of three to four forecasters and/or scientists who will formulate daily forecasts and participate in evaluation/ verification exercises. Staffing will typically include one SPC forecaster, one NSSL scientist and one or two visiting scientists and/or forecasters from NCEP/EMC, FSL, WFO/OUN, NWS/WDTB and Iowa State University.

In addition to Spring Program activities, an IHOP/FSL Science Team will be located in the southeast corner of the SSA.  This group (of 1-2 individuals) will be a liaison between Spring Program forecasting activities and IHOP Nowcasting needs.  The FSL science team will also participate in model evaluation/subjective verification exercises on a daily basis for both Spring Program and FSL interests.

Visiting participants are invited to present a seminar to the Norman Weather Center.
Interested persons should contact Paul Janish or Steve Weiss at their discretion.

A brief training session will be provided to all participants prior to their first scheduled shift.

A full schedule of participants is provided in Attachment A.
 
 

V. Daily Operations Schedule

Daily operations will run from 7am - 3pm Monday-Friday.  During this time, SPC, NSSL, and visiting staff will create forecast products, participate in a daily map discussion, and conduct evaluation/verification exercises in the Science Support Area.  IHOP activities will be conducted on a continuing 7-day per week basis even though Spring Program activities will only be conducted M-F.  As a result, IHOP nowcaster (from the FSL science team) will be responsible for issuance of forecast products on weekends.  Participants are encouraged to perform evaluation exercises collaboratively.  Although no specific time is set aside for lunch, participants may eat lunch while completing exercises or at their discretion any time during the day. An outline of the daily schedule for activities during the Spring Program is as follows:

Monday-Thursday

7:00am   -   9:00 am:   Forecast Team prepares initial Day 1 (CI and LLJ/MCS) and Day 2 IHOP Forecasts (for discussion only)
9:00am   -   9:20 am:   Spring Program/IHOP PI Initial Briefing
9:20am   - 11:30am:    Complete all IHOP forecast products
11:30am - 12:00pm:    Post all IHOP forecasts to the web
12:00pm - 12:30pm:    Spring Program/IHOP PI Briefing and Map Discussion
12:30pm -   1:00 pm    Load previous day forecasts and model runs for subjective verification exercises (Lunch)
1:00pm   -   3:00pm:    Spring Program staff conducts subjective verification of forecast and model runs from previous day.
1:00pm   -   3:00pm:    Up to one member of the Spring Program Team may participate in IHOP Nowcasting operations (as necessary)
3:00pm                         End of Spring Program Shift

Friday:

Same as Mon-Thur; but visiting scientists will be given opportunity to present a seminar to NSSL/SPC staff at 10:30 am LT (or other time if requested).
 
 

VI. Forecast Products
 

In collaboration with IHOP_2002, Spring Program participants will produce a variety of forecast products in support of planning and field operations for IHOP_2002 PI's.   These forecasts are intended to serve the common needs of the CI, ABL, and QPF groups in IHOP_2002 over the Southern Great Plains through 48 hours.  IHOP forecasts include graphical forecast charts and accompanying text discussions focusing on mesoscale regions of convective potential in the IHOP domain (valid for Day 1 and Day 2 time periods).  Longer range (day 3-10) outlooks regarding larger scale flow and stability regimes, based on AVN/MRF and other longer range models, will also be discussed, but no specific forecast products will be created.  Day 1 Convective Initiation forecasts will also serve as a catalyst for Spring Program subjective verification exercises each afternoon.

Portions of the following text is shared from the IHOP Forecasting and Nowcasting Operations Plan (Chapter 8).
 

Day 1 Forecasts:

Day 1 Boundary Forecast -

The focus of the Day 1 Boundary Forecast is to provide guidance for IHOP's field activities via issuance of a scheduled short-term forecast of the position and movement of synoptic and mesoscale boundaries.  The forecaster will prepare FOUR (4) Day 1 forecast graphics of the expected locations of main surface boundaries within the full IHOP_2002 domain, noting the character of each boundary (e.g. cold-, warm-, or stationary front, decayed outflow, dryline) valid at 18Z, 20Z, 22Z, and 00Z.  An initial draft of the forecast would be available at 9:00 am (14Z) with a final version available by 12 noon (17Z).  Examples of what two such Day 1 mesoscale boundary forecasts are shown in Fig. 1.
 
 
Figure 1.  Examples of Day 1 forecasts for two times, 2000 UTC and 2200 UTC.  Descriptions of these forecasts are discussed in the text.
Click on Above Graphics for Larger Examples




Day 1 Probabilistic Convection Outlook -

The focus of the Day 1 Probabilistic Convection Outlook is to provide guidance for IHOP's field activities via issuance of a scheduled short-term convective forecasts of initiation of deep, moist convection (where initiation is defined as the first CG Lightning strike associated with a convective updraft).  The CI group has special forecasting needs due to its emphasis on mobile targeting of boundaries capable of initiating storms.  Note that the Day 1 operational mode will have been tentatively established the day before, so the utility and application of the Day 1 guidance will be known in advance.
The forecaster will prepare Day 1 forecasts of the quantitative probability of deep, moist convection within 30 miles (either side) of the forecast boundary location.  Three discrete probability values (10%, 40%, and 70%) will be used to represent levels of forecaster confidence in surface based convection initiating or occurring relative to forecast boundary location.  Probability values will be overlaid on forecast boundary locations within the full IHOP_2002 domain (Fig 1).  Probabilistic Convective Outlooks are valid within (±) 1 hour of the 18Z, 20Z, 22Z, and 00Z boundary forecast times and will be issued at 9:00 am (14Z; draft) and 12 noon (17Z; final).  The 9:00am (draft) forecast will only include preliminary hand sketched outlooks based on early data.  No web graphics or discussion will be created for this initial forecast.  The noon (final) forecast will include a full suite of text discussion and graphics for the Day 1 period.  These forecast products will be posted to the Spring Program web site and other relevant IHOP web sites by 12:00 noon (17Z) daily.

The forecast team will also explicitly indicate the time that initiation is most likely to occur on each graphic.  Any areas where NEW convection initiation is expected to develop during each of the 2-h forecast windows will be delineated by an "X".

A single text discussion will accompany the four graphic Day 1 CI product suite.  The discussion is intended to focus on expected evolution of convective initiation and evolution across the IHOP domain between 17Z-01Z.  Specific attention should be paid to supporting data, especially mesoscale model guidance.

Figure 1 represents an example of forecast information to be provided.  Boundary location is noted explicitly.  The "X" indicates that new initiation is expected across wrn KS and the TX/OK border during this period.  Initial development is expected first near the triple point in wrn KS around 19Z and around 2030Z along the TX/OK border.  Fig 1b shows that new initiation is most likely in wrn OK along the dryline around 2230Z.


Day 1 Mesoscale Convective System/Low Level Jet Outlook -

The Spring Program forecast team will also produce a Day 1 forecast for the nocturnal low level jet (LLJ) location and the probability of night time mesoscale convective system (MCS) activity.  For the purposes of the forecast, an LLJ will be defined as a wind maxima of 30 kt or greater at 850 mb valid at 12Z.  An MCS will be defined as a cloud system occurring in connection with an ensemble of thunderstorms which produces a contiguous precipitation area on the order of 100 km or more in the horizontal scale in at least one direction.  These forecasts will provide guidance for IHOP-QPF activities, and consists of a forecast of MCS activity and LLJ location between 00Z (Day 1) and 12Z (Day 2).  Since the approximate location of decayed outflow boundaries from nocturnal convection could be inferred, this forecast would also be useful for IHOP_2002 planning regarding possible ABL, CI, and ABL-CI missions on Day 2.
 
 
Figure 2.  Examples of Day 1 LLJ/MCS forecast in the IHOP domain.  Descriptions of this forecasts is discussed in the text (below).
Click on Above Graphic for Larger Example
The forecaster will prepare a single graphic containing the forecast position and strength of the LLJ valid 12Z (the following morning), along with the contoured probability of an MCS within 30 miles of a point valid 00Z-12Z (Fig 2).  The graphic would also include the most likely time of convection initiation between 00Z and 12Z (not shown).  The confidence in the occurrence of an MCS, the most likely location of initiation, and an approximate track of movement could be inferred from the forecast graphic.  Three discrete probability values  (10%, 40%, and 70%) will be used to represent levels of forecaster confidence in MCS occurrence over the forecast domain.  This outlook will be issued at 9:00 am (14Z; draft) and 12 noon (17Z; final).  The 9:00am (draft) forecast will only include preliminary hand sketched outlooks based on early data.  No web graphics or discussion will be created for this initial forecast.  The 12:00 noon (final) forecast will include a full suite of text discussion and graphics for the Day 1 period.  These forecast products will be posted to the Spring Program web site and other relevant IHOP web sites by 12:00 noon (17Z) daily.

Figure 2 represents an example of the LLJ/MCS forecast graphic.  It shows the forecast strength and position of the LLJ at 12Z and probabilities of MCS occurrence in the IHOP domain during the period with the most likely area over KS and a secondary area over OK.  NOTE:  Probability values in these forecasts represent a 12h period (00Z-12Z) versus the smaller 2h Day 1 CI forecast periods.
 

Day 2+ Forecasts:

Day 2 Boundary Forecast -

The focus of the Day 2 Boundary Forecast is to provide guidance for IHOP's field activities via issuance of a scheduled short-term forecast of the position and movement of synoptic and mesoscale surface boundaries.  The forecaster will prepare a single Day 2 forecast graphic of the expected location of primary synoptic and mesoscale surface boundaries within the full IHOP_2002 domain, noting character (e.g. cold-, warm-, or stationary front, decayed outflow, dryline) valid 21Z.  An initial draft of the forecast would be available at 9:00 am (14Z) with a final version available by 12 noon (17Z).  Examples of a Day 2 mesoscale boundary forecast is shown in Fig. 3.
 
 
Figure 3.  Examples of Day 2 CI forecast.  Boundary location valid 21Z.  Probability contours valid 18-00Z.
Click on Above Graphic for Larger Examples




Day 2 Probabilistic Convection Outlook -

The focus of the Day 2 Probabilistic Convection Outlook is to provide IHOP leaders with information that will help decide the likely mode of Day 2 field activities (if any).  The forecaster will prepare a Day 2 forecast of the quantitative probability of deep, moist convection within 30 miles (either side) of the forecast boundary location.  Three discrete probability values (10%, 40%, and 70%) will be used to represent levels of forecaster confidence in surface based convection initiating or occurring relative to forecast boundary location.  Probability values will be overlaid on forecast boundary locations within the full IHOP_2002 domain (Fig 3).  Probabilistic Convective Outlooks are valid between 18-00Z on Day 2.  Boundary forecast is valid at 21Z on Day 2.  These forecasts will be available for general discussion at 9:00 am with a final product posted to the web by 12 noon..

The forecast team will also explicitly indicate on the graphic the time that initiation is most likely to occur.

A single text discussion will accompany the graphic Day 2 CI forecast.  The discussion is intended to focus on expected evolution of convective initiation and evolution across the IHOP domain between 18-00Z.  Note that probability values on this forecast represent a six (6) hour period from 18Z-00Z versus 2h periods on Day 1 CI forecast graphics.  Specific attention should be paid to supporting data, especially mesoscale model guidance.

Figure 3 represents an example of forecast information to be provided.  Boundary location is noted explicitly.  Development is expected along the cold front with highest confidence in the area of cold front/outflow boundary intersection over nrn OK/srn KS between 21-22Z.

Day 3-10 Convection Outlook -
For general planning purposes, the Spring Program Forecast Team will provide an overview of AVN/MRF, UKMET, and ECMWF forecast models along with medium range ensembles for discussion on long range potential for IHOP operations.  No forecast products will be created for this effort, only a display and overview of features during the daily map discussion.

 

VII. Verification Exercises
 

Following the 12:00-12:30 pm IHOP/Spring Program Map Discussion, Spring Program participants will focus on subjective verification of the previous day's Day 1 IHOP and Model Forecasts.  Although separate IHOP_2002 forecasts will be made over the weekend, those products will not be created or verified as part of the Spring Program.  Thus, Monday participants will focus on Friday forecasts for verification exercises during this time.

Web based forms will be available to conduct subjective verification exercises (http://www.spc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin-spc/sp).  Verification will be made by comparing C-G lightning and NIDS mosaic radar imagery with forecasts made the previous day using N-AWIPS.  A variety of verification data and displays (models, satellite/radar image data, soundings, observed data, severe reports, etc.) will also be available on the Spring Program web site.  When completing forms, the forecast team should focus on sub-domain sized areas where surface based convection initiated and/or was forecast and did not initiate.  If multiple initiation/areas were forecast/observed, supplemental forms should be completed.  Participation in recording information on forms should be done in collaborative fashion with each participant filling out the form on a rotating basis.  It is important that the SPC forecaster(s) participate in this process, to ensure that an operational perspective is included in the verification.

First, the forecast team should select an area (sub-domain of the IHOP forecast area) where they would like to focus verification efforts.  Once that area is defined, a graphic outlining the area should be created on N-AWIPS.  See Spring Program Procedures and Reference Manual for instructions.  Then, complete the verification form relative to the entire forecast package (e.g. 17-01Z).  You will need to refer to each 2h forecast graphic created on the previous day.  For model subjective verification, evaluate the same area, but consider the entire time period 17-01Z when completing forms.  Specifically focus on the following model parameters:

When finished with the first area, continue with other areas if necessary.

 

VIII. Forecaster/Participant Duties and Responsibilities
 

All  participants will be contacted and scheduled for "basic training" prior to the morning of their first scheduled shift. In some cases, this may have to be done over the weekend (Sunday afternoon); this is necessary due to the early/fast start to activities on Monday morning.  All participants are asked to review the operations plan and become familiar with program goals, forecast products, duties and responsibilities prior to their first day in the Program.
The Spring Program Forecast Team will be made up of four (4) members on most days (see schedule, Attachment A).  These members will consist of an SPC Lead forecaster, NSSL scientist, and/or visitors from WFO/OUN, WDTB, FSL, NCEP/EMC, or academia.  The most critical task for all participants to achieve is the timely creation and issuance of the forecast products. Completion of evaluation forms and documentation of key scientific findings and theories are also important, but the forecast products are critical to IHOP field operations.
Participants in the Spring Program are responsible for the following activities while on shift:
Participant A - SPC Lead Forecaster.  This is the Spring Forecast Team Leader who is responsible for coordinating issuance of daily forecasts and facilitating the map discussion (9am and 12pm M-F).  This forecaster is specifically responsible for issuing the Day 1 convective initiation forecast product (graphics and text).  They should also ensure that all products are posted to the web no later than 12:00pm.  This forecaster's primary work area will be the SPC N-AWIPS workstation in the northwest corner of the SSA.

Participant B - SPC, NSSL, or visiting scientist who is primarily responsible for  issuance of the Day 1 LLJ/MCS forecast product.  This person should have some forecasting experience regarding LLJ/MCS development.  After the noon briefing, this forecaster has the option to participate in forecast/model subjective verification exercises or work with the FSL science team on IHOP Nowcasting activities.   The primary work area for this person will be along the south wall in the SSA with Participant D.  This person is responsible for ensuring all charts and forms are archived and placed in the daily folder at the end of the shift (see Archive Responsibilities below).

Participant C - SPC, NSSL, or visiting scientist who is primarily responsible for  issuance of the Day 2 convective initiation forecast product.  This person should have some convective forecasting experience.  After the noon briefing, this forecaster has the option to participate in forecast/model subjective verification exercises or work with the FSL science team on IHOP Nowcasting activities.   The primary work area for this person will be in the northeast corner of the SSA.

Participant D - Typically a visiting scientist or researcher.  This person contributes in model evaluation and interpretation during the forecast product providing insight and discussion on any topics relevant to the Day 1 CI, Day 1 LLJ/MCS, or Day 2 CI forecasts.  This person will also participate in the forecast/model subjective verifications exercises during the afternoon.  The primary work area for this person will be with Participant B along the south wall in the SSA, but he/she can float between work areas as desired.
 
 

Participants A and D are asked to be involved in forecast/model evaluation/subjective verification exercises after daily map discussion.  Since space is limited, one of the two remaining participants (B or C) may work with the FSL Science Team on IHOP Nowcasting for the remainder of the afternoon.
ARCHIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:
  IX. Spring Program 2002 Data Flow (SSA)

Access to the full SPC real time data flow will be available in the SSA during the Spring Program.  This includes the full suite of observational surface (METAR, mesonet, etc.), upper air (RAOB, VAD, profiler, ACARS, etc.), NIDS local and national mosaic radar, GOES-8/10/11 satellite, variety of surface objective analysis fields and NWS text products.  In order to incorporate new analysis displays and NWP model data into the forecast process, several non-operational NWP data sets will be available for use during the Spring Program in addition to operational runs.  Although every effort will be made to access non-operational runs in N-AWIPS, some displays may only be available via the web.

NWP model data which will be available to forecasters participating in the Spring Program includes the following (model run resolution / model display grid):

12km/80km Operational Eta Model (00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z)
12km/40km Operational Eta Model (00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z)
12km/20km Operational Eta Model (00Z, 06Z, 12Z, 18Z)
  8km/ 8km Experimental High Res Window for Eta Model (12Z)
20km/20km Experimental EtaKF Model (00Z and 12Z)
20km/40km Experimental EtaKF Model (00Z and 12Z)
20km/40km Operational RUC Model (12Z, 15Z, and 18Z)
20km/20km WRF-KF Model (00Z and 12Z)

NGM, AVN
MRF/MRFX, ECMWF, UKMET
ETA/RSM Short Range Ensembles (EMC)

* Italicized fields are experimental data not typically available to SPC forecasters *
* All model data will be available via N-AWIPS workstations or Internet *

In addition to traditional NWP data displays, several experimental analysis displays will be available for Spring Program participants to use. These include the ability to create point forecast soundings and displays of 1-D output for the Kain-Fritch and Betts-Miller-Janjic convective paramerterization schemes.

An FSL Science team will also have access to various experimental RUC,  MM5, LAPS, and WRF runs during the Spring Program.
 
 

X. Operations Center Hardware and Software
 

Spring Program forecast and evaluation exercises will take place in the Science Support Area (SSA), immediately adjacent to SPC operational forecast area. Equipment available to Spring Program participants includes:


XI. Data Archive

In addition to hard copy archives saved in the daily folder, the following data will be archived to 8mm tape on a daily basis from 9 May through 25 June 2002. Archives will be in GEMPAK format unless otherwise stipulated. These data may be restored at the request of program participants pending disk space availability. Note...model data listed as model run resolution

All Gridded Model Data:
12km/80km Oper ETA, 12km/40km Oper ETA, 12km/20km Oper Eta, 12km/12km Oper Eta (select fields)
 8km/ 8km Exper High Res Window ETA model (when available)
22km/40km and 22km/20km ETAKF,
20km/40km RUC2, 20km/20km RUC2 [surface grids]
RUC2A (Hourly RUC 0h Fcst [analyses]),
WRF (when available)
 

Model Metafiles:
12km/80km Operational Eta (basic fields for briefing purposes)
 

All Point Forecast Sounding Data:
ETA, ETAKF
RUC, WRF (If Available)
 

Objective Analyses:
SFCOA,
sfcwxdataloop (metafiles)
 

NWS Text Products:
NWX-Text
 

Observational Data:
Surface Obs, Oklahoma Mesonet, Upper Air Obs, VAD/Profiler
 

Radar Data:
All U.S. Mosaic Radar (BREF, CREF, ECHO, VILS, RAIN)
(This includes hourly accumulated and 24h accumulated values)
(Individual site radar data as necessary)
 

Satellite Data:
1-SPC / 1km Visible and 4km WV/IR
 

Satellite Derived Data:
GOESCOMP
 

VGF Files:
Lightning, Severe Reports
 
 

XII. Acknowledgments

Special thanks and appreciation is extended to all participants and staff for assisting in Spring Program preparations/planning, programming and data flow issues. Without the combined efforts of many SPC and NSSL staff, the Spring Program could not be conducted. In particular, special thanks to Jeff Cupo (SPC) and Greg Carbin (SPC) for their work on web page development, evaluation forms and archive; Gregg Grosshans (SPC) for providing access to model and verification data; Jay Liang (SPC), Al Jarvi (SPC), Doug Rhue (SPC), Steve Fletcher (NSSL) and Brett Morrow (NSSL) for assistance in configuring hardware/software in the Science Support Area and Charlie Crisp (NSSL) for his meteorological analysis and contributions to the web page. We further wish to recognize the full support of SPC and NSSL management and enthusiasm by participants from the Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL), Environmental Modeling Center (NCEP/EMC), National Weather Service Forecast Office, Norman, OK; NWS Warning Decision Training Branch, and Iowa State University who provided motivation for making such an undertaking a positive experience for everyone.
 

Attachments




Attachment A - Participant Schedule
 

Attachment B -  Daily Checklist