Hot
Items 2007 2007 National Weather Radar Testbed Demonstration
Storms across Oklahoma this spring have provided NOAA NSSL researchers an unprecedented opportunity to research rapidly evolving weather phenomena and the potential to extend warning lead-times for severe weather using the phased array radar (PAR), part of the National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT).
The NWRT demonstration is being conducted at the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed in Norman, Oklahoma from now through June 15. Designated National Weather Service forecasters from forecast offices across the U.S. will participate in coordination with NOAA and University of Oklahoma research meteorologists.
This demonstration will yield information about the benefits and challenges of using PAR data in warning decision-making situations by introducing real-time PAR data to a simulated operational environment. In the real-time simulation, the forecaster will perform his/her usual warning decision-making duties while the lead/researcher team runs the PAR data collection. Operational benefits and challenges of rapid-update volumetric PAR data will be assessed.
Other 2007 NWRT interrelated experiments will investigate the utility of PAR data in forecasting, modeling, and identifying characteristics of deep convection. The demonstration will also gather high-density verification information for the PAR to support the development of scientifically sound severe storm guidance applications and techniques.
Background: The NWRT PAR became functional in September 2003 and collected data in 2004 and 2005 for engineering tests, weather observations, and system checks. To demonstrate the rapid-scan capability of the PAR antenna, data were collected in 2006 on a variety of severe convective storms using various scanning strategies.
Significance: The NWRT demonstration will support the development of scientifically sound severe storm guidance applications and techniques to aid forecasters in the forecast and warning process, helping to protect the aviation community and the public.
5/8/07