1 / 12

Overcoming Forecast Challenges of Complex Terrain: Use of R/WIS to Improve Operations

Overcoming Forecast Challenges of Complex Terrain: Use of R/WIS to Improve Operations. Mary M. Cairns Senior Staff Meteorologist OFCM. Overview. Purpose Background Objectives and Results Process Keys to Success Summary. Purpose.

marlow
Download Presentation

Overcoming Forecast Challenges of Complex Terrain: Use of R/WIS to Improve Operations

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Overcoming Forecast Challenges of Complex Terrain: Use of R/WIS to Improve Operations Mary M. Cairns Senior Staff Meteorologist OFCM

  2. Overview • Purpose • Background • Objectives and Results • Process • Keys to Success • Summary

  3. Purpose Demonstrate how a collaborative effort with funding is essential for transitioning user-based needs (e.g., FHWA) into operational results

  4. Background • State Department of Transportation • >1300 Environmental Sensor Stations [c.2001] • NWS and FHWA joint research effort • COMET Request for Proposals • Partnership project selected • NOAA/NWS Reno, NV • Nevada DOT • University of Nevada Desert Research Institute • 2 years • Complex terrain forecasts and NDOT operational challenges • Can R/WIS help?

  5. Objectives and Results • Objectives • Improve pavement forecasts through improved model input • Improve NWS operational forecasts through better model guidance • Improve operational decisions regarding snow and control operations • Develop an NDOT public travelers forecast • Results • Improved quality of R/WIS data & archival • Improved issuance and verification of operational forecasts and warnings • Developed data assimilation system for numerical weather prediction model • Provided improved guidance to NDOT pavement temperature forecasts

  6. Process • Agency defined need and funding • Partnership • Mutual goals • Share and use of RSS data • Advance regional mesoscale modeling capabilities • Improve road condition forecasting • Expertise and enthusiasm • Technology • Scientific knowledge • Results driven

  7. Pavement Temperature Model Output

  8. Keys to Success • Expertise and enthusiasm • Test beds or test sites needed • Includes management of R&D priorities & associated projects • Adequate funding/resources for all involved • “Customer” based research with operational result • Project based on high-impact events • Collaboration was a learning process • Leadership support

  9. Example of Success California Department of Boating and Waterways MM5 Real-Time Forecasts – Supporting shipping and boating operations DRI Atmospheric and Dispersion Modeling Program Dr. Darko Koracin, PI

  10. Summaryaka Purpose revisited Demonstrated how a collaborative effort with funding is essential for transitioning user-based needs (e.g., FHWA) into operational results

More Related