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Integrated Sensor Training (IST) Professional Development Series

Unit 9: Using AWIPS in the forecast process

Instructional Component 9.6

Using Near-Storm Environment Data in the Warning Decision Making Process

Brad Grant (Warning Decision Training Branch )
and
Pete Wolf (NWS/WFO Wichita)

1) Introduction

    Forecasters are besieged with an increasing array of graphical data sets to analyze the mesoscale environment on AWIPS. Determining which fields or parameter sets which can most effectively be used in the warning decision making process is a difficult problem. Often, a Weather Forecast Office’s warning team is understaffed and can become overly preoccupied with using radar-derived products alone to base warnings due to time restraints. By analyzing the near storm convective environment, forecasters can improve their awareness of potential storm types and evolutions in the near term and reduce the chances of being surprised by subsequent severe weather events. In addition, analyzing mesoscale data (such as LAPS) can help reduce false alarms by enabling the warning forecaster to distinguish between favorable and unfavorable environments for severe storms which develop across the County Warning Area

    Objectives:

      The goal of this training is to illustrate the utility of integrating near storm environment (NSE) data sets in AWIPS such as RUC, LAPS, MSAS in the warning decision making process. Objectively analyzed fields of CAPE and CIN (for assessing a storm’s updraft capabilities) equivalent potential temperature (for assessing areas of potential convective instability), and vertical wind shear parameters such as bulk shear and storm relative helicity (for modulating storm organization and development) are evaluated for a number of cases. In addition, LAPS and RUC grid point soundings are used to evaluate differences in near storm environment. The cases used in the training will illustrate some of the model to model differences in the derived fields and demonstrate how forecasters can effectively verify model output with observed conditions. Also, ways to monitor and manage NSE data sets on the AWIPS workstation will be shown. A short warning decision-making exercise will be conducted at the conclusion of the presentation


2) Prerequisites

    No prerequisites are required.

    This is a basic course.

3) Teletraining Installation Instructions


4) Training Session Options:

    A.) The interactive VISITview training session. (To be used with a VISIT instructor leading the session ). Click here to signup for teletraining. The session will last 2 hours. This teletraining session uses the VISITview software, where Windows PC (with 64 MB RAM or greater) with an Internet connection is needed.

    B.) Web-based training session - a "stand alone" version viewed via a Web browser, with embedded talking points included. This lesson version may be viewed at any time. These slides are ideal for printing from the web-browser, just print preview first to choose portrait or landscape mode. Best viewed with Internet Explorer or Netscape (prior to version 6).

    C.) Web-based Visitview session - This version uses the VISITview software within a Web browser, may be viewed at any time. It retains all the functionality of the VISITview software which you see in a "live" teletraining session. The talking points are not included in this lesson version, but can be viewed in a separate Web browser (or printed out beforehand).

    D.) local Visitview session - This is the same version of the lesson used in a "live" VISITview teletraining session, but no connection is made to an external VISITview server. You may download the file off this page and go through the lesson on your own in "local mode" by starting the "visitlocal.bat" file. Talking points are not included in this lesson version, but can be viewed in a separate Web browser ( or printed out beforehand).


5) References/Additional Links


6) Train the trainer

    Talking points - these may be used by local offices in tandem with the visitview training session (run in local mode - "visitlocal.bat"). The talking points may be printed out to easily review the session in detail at any time. The web page version contains talking points embedded in each slide (useful for printing).

    The talking points may also be downloaded as a Word Perfect document.

7) Content developed/updated
    2001
8) Information contact