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Mission...
to conduct
basic and applied research to improve both our understanding of the
processes that produce severe weather events and our ability to predict
these events. The MAT works to: a) simulate hazardous
weather events and the environments in which they form to
advance our understanding of these events; b) investigate new
approaches for the use of numerical weather
prediction (NWP) models in operational forecasting, with emphasis on the
use of high-resolution models and ensemble techniques; c) improve methods
for the incorporation of observations into NWP models using data assimilation
techniques; d) develop
new and improved conceptual models of hazardous weather events; e)
increase our understanding of NWP model sensitivities; and
f) verify model forecasts using both standard and new data sources.
Basic Understanding
Once we better understand how and why severe weather happens, this information can be used to improve the forecasts and warnings of severe weather for the public
Real-time Modeling
The mesoscale and storm-scale modeling element runs numerical weather prediction models to further both our understanding of the processes that produce severe weather and our ability to forecast these events. Model forecasts using different variables are compared to determine if the modification or new data lead to improved forecasts.
- Ensemble forecasting
- Storm-targeted radar wind retrieval system
Data Assimilation
One of the challenges of numerical weather prediction is creating an initial state, or "picture", of the atmosphere from which to start a model forecast. This initial state is created using as many of the available observations as possible.
- Phased array radar data assimilation
- Radar data quality control
