Short-term Prediction Research
and Transition Center

Our Mission - Relevance

Relevance to NASA Earth Science Program

The purpose of NASA's Earth science program is to develop a scientific understanding of the Earth's system and its response to natural or human-induced changes, and to improve prediction of climate, weather, and natural hazards. The overarching question related to weather prediction is "How well can weather forecasting duration and reliability be improved by new space-based observations, data assimilation, and modeling?"

At the regional scale and forecast horizons from 0-1 day, the next generation of high-resolution mesoscale forecast and data assimilation models should derive additional benefits from the timely delivery of high-resolution or gap-filling measurements from NASA's research and prototype operational instruments. The near real-time infusion of NASA science products into high-resolution mesoscale forecast and decision-making models can be expected to improve the model initialization as well as short-term forecasts.

The SPoRT Center is currently involved in regional experimental forecast projects with WFOs in the southeast U.S., ranging in scope from providing better diagnostic tools to monitor the changing atmospheric environment to the early prediction of potential severe weather hazards and short-term (0-24h) quantitative precipitation forecasts. As detailed in NASA's recently published decadal survey:

" ….improved weather prediction requires observational and scientific improvements that provide major new predictive capabilities. Gaps in the (current) observing system, our understanding of atmospheric processes, and our ability to optimally exploit observations in models must be filled. The growing global reliance on on weather information places responsibility on NASA and the Earth science community to improve Earth science research and operational programs with new space-based and in situ observations. These observations can be used to answer key scientific questions and deliver operational products to provided improved economic and societal benefits. A balance mix of proven, proof-of-concept, and new observing technologies are needed to enhance decision-making across many economic sectors, while also meeting the growing needs of improved forecasts for warnings and responses to extreme events. "

SPoRT addresses some of these needs on the regional and local scale.

SPoRT, working together with other agencies and university partners, provides a means and a process to effectively transition Earth science observations and research capabilities into the NWS and private sector operations and to decision makers at the regional and local scale. The transition of emerging experimental data and products into operations through the SPoRT infrastructure will allow NASA to foster and accelerate the process of this Earth science strategy over the coming years and aid in the transition of future operational sensors like those of NPOESS into mainstream operations.