Weather forecasters provide overwhelmingly positive feedback for new software under threat from funding changes
By Theresa Barosh | April 2025
Recently, Colorado State University’s Cooperative Institute in Research software developers received outstanding feedback on their latest efforts to support severe storm warnings through new software called Convective Hazard Services. The software, still in a testing phase, is currently experiencing threats to completing the process to full adoption due to staffing and funding limitations.
The NOAA Global Systems Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado led development of Convective Hazard Services in collaboration with the NWS, CIRES, CIRA, and other key partners. Severe convective storms can result in tornados, large hail, lightning strikes and extreme rainfall, among other hazards. NOAA weather forecast offices handle local products, like tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and flash flood warnings. Feedback came from forecasters at weather forecast offices that have direct experience using Convective Hazard Services – also known as Convective Services version four or HS Convective.
“it’s important to point out that we are at a really pivotal moment in this project,” said Emily Schlie, CIRA researcher. “So far this test has gone about as well as possible, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. I want to emphasize that a lot of the reason for this success is the dedication of our Hazard Services team. Everyone on this team is extremely dedicated to the mission and we take great pride in our work.”
The forecast offices using the software operationally are part of an AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System) Test Authorization Note – referred to as an ATAN. Right now, 14 weather forecast offices are participating, with more slated to join soon. This is how all new software gets fielded to weather forecasting offices and is one of the final steps before deployment. If the testing period goes well, the software gets adopted by all weather forecast offices across the country in an upcoming release of AWIPS.
Anonymous Forecaster Feedback on Convective Hazard Services
“HS Convective has made notable improvements in severe convective warning operations at my forecast office. It has introduced many improvements over its predecessor, WarnGen. My office has been using HS Convective for all convective warnings since the summer of 2024, and to my knowledge, every meteorologist prefers it over WarnGen. HS Convective has been received so well at my office, that I extol its merits to offices yet to switch from WarnGen.”
HS Convective was utilized during the [March] 2025 tornado outbreak to great effect. I served on a warning team responsible for issuing convective warnings, including numerous tornado warnings, and HS Convective performed without issue. The new “console” feature proved to be useful when we had numerous convective warnings in effect simultaneously, as it allowed the warning meteorologist to see warning details that would have been difficult to find in WarnGen.
– Anonymous Forecaster
“The workflow with HS [Convective] is much smoother compared to WarnGen. Tracking the storm/threat is more intuitive, with the polygon adapting to the storm motion as we make adjustments when creating an initial warning being very helpful.”
“HS makes monitoring and warning on multiple storms so much easier.”
“Of all the new technology I’ve been introduced to thus far, HS for convective warnings has been one of the few tools that has far exceeded my expectations.”
“Convective HS has been a significant improvement from WarnGen when it comes to its user interface and functionality. After recent convective training… in which I was forced to use WarnGen again, I came to really appreciate these improvements. Overall, the workflow is much smoother with Convective HS.”
Specific Improvements Leading to Convective Hazard Services
A few years ago, Schlie started to lead work on the Storm Track Tool, which is directly replacing WarnGen within the Hazard Services software. The Storm Track Tool includes a series of upgrades, while maintaining user-interface similarities with WarnGen to ease adoption.
With the new Storm Track Tool, a county can handle multiple hazards occurring simultaneously across the county. The new software allows forecasters to track multiple hazards, such as tornadoes which commonly occur nearby one another. Forecasters can now break up counties into smaller zones and only alert for certain parts of the county. The new software also allows for less clutter when forecasters issuing warnings communicate “calls to action,” such as “seek shelter.” This allows forecasters to reduce redundancies or potential errors. With new features for precision, the software allows for accurate severe weather warnings and messaging.
Future Prospects for the Hazard Services Team
The Harzard Services team expressed pride in working closely with forecasters. They meet regularly with users and respond quickly to requests for software support, often providing fixes within 24 hours. Schlie and her team are currently brainstorming ways to support weather forecast offices that are short staffed due to recent reductions in the workforce.
“This team is second to none, and it is my sincere hope that our extremely important work can continue to make a positive impact for our country,” said Schlie.