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Biography
Dr. Heinselman's primary research objective is to determine how to best capitalize on phased array radar capabilities to address 21st century forecast and warning needs, including the NOAA Weather and Water strategic mission goal to increase lead time and accuracy for weather and water warnings and forecasts. She is accomplishing this objective through a combination of innovative scanning strategy design, leadership of data collection and analysis activities, active involvement with end users, and student mentorship. Working with radar data has been Dr. Heinselman’s passion, as indicated by her earlier teamwork that was recognized by a NOAA Bronze Medal in 1998 and Silver Medal in 1999 for improvements to NEXRAD algorithms.
Recently, Dr. Heinselman was selected for the 2008 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The PECASE Award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government upon outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers. This award recognizes her research and leadership accomplishments in using phased array radar for observing hazardous weather.
Dr. Heinselman is a Ph.D. graduate of the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology (2004) and an M.S. and B.S. graduate (1994 and 1992, respectively) of the St. Louis University Depart. of Earth and Atmospheric Science. She is orginally from Westminster, Maryland.
Phased Array Radar samples supercells impacting Oklahoma City
In 2009 the Phased Array Radar sampled two tornadic supercells that impacted the Oklahoma City area. In early February, it sampled an early-season cyclic supercell that produced an EF1 tornado in Oklahoma City and an EF2 tornado in Edmond. During the "normal" spring season, the Phased Array Radar sampled an EF0 tornado that occurred near Lake Stanley Draper. Both storms are being analyzed to explore the storm structure and evolution depicted by high-temporal resolution data.
- Email:
- Pam.Heinselman@noaa.gov
- Phone:
- 405-325-6595
- Address:
- NSSL/WRDD Rm 4905, 120 David L. Boren Boulevard, Norman, OK 73072
2009 Phased Array Radar Innovative Sensing Experiment (PARISE)
Since 2007, Dr. Heinselman has designed, executed, and analyzed data from spring experiments involving forecasters from over 17 National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the United States. These experiments, now called Phased Array Radar Innovative Sensing Experiments, have several goals aimed at improving scientific understanding of severe storms, demonstrating Phased Array Radar technology, and evaluating its operational utility. A key advantage of Phased Array Radar is the collection of high-temporal resolution data (~1-min volume scans) from an electronically steered beam. The electronically steered beam provides the flexibility to scan storms more effectively and efficiently than is possible with a mechically steered radar, such as those in the NEXRAD radar network.
When asked how high-temporal sampled impacted their warning decision-making during PARISE (2007-2009), forecasters had the following responses in common:
- Improved capability to identify, analyze, and monitor storm processes related to severe weather
- Higher confidence in decision-making
- Few minutes additional lead time
An overview presentation on the 2009 PARISE is available here (71 MB; ppt).
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