SPoRT WFO Coordination Calls
2012 |
2011 |
2010
2012
Call Summary |
Presentation Topics |
The July 2012 call with SR WFOs covered many topics: UAHCI evaluation discussion, SPoRT virtual workshop, AMS submissions, AWIPS II plugins for SPoRT imagery and data, WFO plans for AWIPS II, and upcoming NPP/VIIRS imagery transition to WFOs by SPoRT. There have been at least 12 user feedback submissions in the first 10 days of the UAHCI product evaluation. Initial value and experiences were discussed by MLB, MFL, ABQ, and HUN. SPoRT provided details on the 2nd annual virtual workshop that will include all NWS regions and centers. Joint NWS-SPoRT AMS submissions need to be sent to regional HQ by July 20. SPoRT outlined AWIPS II plugins that exist and are being developed. HGX has had initial success with implementing some of these plugins. The NPP/VIIRS instrument is operational and SPoRT is both incorporating imagery into its Hybrid products as well as developing a suite of RGB and Day-Night Band single-swath products to be transition in the near-future. |
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For the May 2012 call with WFO partners, SPoRT presented several topics. The University of Alabama-Huntsville Convective Initiation product has changed and is ready for WFO evaluation. Supplemental training from last year has been provided. RGB imagery is available in at least 6 WFOs and SPoRT would like to use the NWS Chat room to discuss individual applications of this imagery as events warrant. Geoffrey presented work done by Dr. MacGorman that focuses on the use of total lightning to anticipate the first cloud-to-ground strike, and he proposed a similar evaluation using the LMA/LDAR networks could be done with WFOs in terms of a lightning safety issue. SPoRT's SST composite product for WRF users as well as AWIPS display will be changing June 8; users need to use provided instructions to be ready. Lastly, SPoRT would like to prepare for the AWIPS II era by reviewing forecast issue and product priorities and will contact WFOs individually. |
2011
Call Summary |
Presentation Topics |
Instructions for the install of the Hybrid version of the Spectral Difference (i.e. low cloud and fog) product had been sent to WFOs. We reviewed the product and Kris White presented several case examples demonstrating the application of the product. There was discussion about the display of LMA data via the web by the MSFC lightning group as well as using the Google Earth interface. In addition, a new network is coming to the Houston/Galveston area and Lance Wood discussed his upcoming trip to talk with Texas A&M staff. The UAH Convective Initiation product development was updated with new information. Lastly, the next call is before the AMS meeting and we will give an opportunity for presenters to go through their talks during our January telecon. |
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October 2011 | SPoRT used this call to follow up with the WFOs it visited in August 2011 during a road trip that included JAN, LIX, and MOB. Discussions included the availability of MODIS Hybrid imagery and desire for the spectral difference Hybrid product. NASA LIS variables were presented for use in D-2d to address several different needs. Specific requests for help with configurations and display scripts were also addressed. Some initial discussion occurred regarding modeling interests at LIX for the influence of the marine boundary layer on winter/spring convection. RGB imagery for detection of low clouds and fog at night was introduced as a potential testbed product if WFOs have high interest. |
September 2011 | The September called focused on two main objectives. The first was to summarize the results from the 2011 SPoRT Partners Virtual Workshop that had been held on August 31. The workshop was a success thanks to all of the contributions by SPoRT's partners. The workshop review focused on the main points from the workshop, including discussion of GOES-R Proving Ground products, the MET Tools model verification package, the Land Information System, and the various R-G-B composites. All of the presentations can be found on SPoRT's web page in the Library tab under SPoRT Sponsored Workshops. The second objective was to discuss the status of how SPoRT provides MODIS data to our WFO partners. The decision was made to eliminate the 4 km products that are duplicates of GOES products as the MODIS data would provide no added benefits. Additionally, SPoRT will move to provide the high resolution MODIS data in a more unified domain and emphasize MODIS-GOES hybrid products where applicable. |
August 2011 | 2011 SPoRT / NWS Partners Virtual Workshop |
Open agenda. Primary goal was to have WFOs provide a status of operational activities related to SPoRT data as well as describe their needs where SPoRT can focus adding value. MFL presented a downburst case that used derived Cloud Top Pressure from GOES imagery among other products such as the SPoRT Hybrid visible imagery. Others described the use of MODIS/AMSR-E SST as a very popular product during tropical season as well as the use of MODIS RGB imagery during past wildfire events. |
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The SPoRT Partners Virtual Workshop is to be held August 30/31 and SPoRT has requested abstracts to be submitted by its partners related to the application of NASA/SPoRT data in operations. This is an opportunity to present your NWA oral or poster topic related to SPoRT prior to attending the meeting. As part of SPoRT's GOES-R Proving Ground work, SPoRT is working with UAH to transition the official AWG proxy product for Convective Initiation. Chris Jewett of UAH presented a description of the product and how it is created, and he spent time answering questions. SPoRT will seek a small group of WFOs to act as a testbed for this product before wider distribution. Kevin Fuell presented the results of the Hybrid imagery evaluation period from April & May and the user feedback. This version of the Hybrid imagery is at the ABI resolution to support the GOES-R Proving Ground |
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We reviewed the Hybrid imagery products, how they are created, and the latency issues with the imagery with MODIS inserted. Held a short question and answer period and discussed the upcoming evaluation period for these imagery. The GOES-R Proving Ground is taking a close look at who are active users of the proxy products and who are simple passive receivers of the data. Also had a quick status update for all those on the call regarding data flow or display issues. |
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The focus topic was total lightning. In particular, we discussed these items:
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SPoRT presented product areas where it would like to conduct evaluations for this year. These included GOES-R PG, modeling, total lightning, LIS, convective initiation (related to GOES-R PG), and SPoRT ADAS products. Input was gathered as to which WFOs have interest in these various areas and their current activities. We also discussed the potential NWA topics for this coming October meeting. Several WFOs listed their intended submissions to NWA while others are still forming a plan. SPoRT is willing to help with creation of the presentation. |
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Two agenda items for this call: Preparing for NWA conference in Oct 2011, SPoRT Collaborative Modeling Efforts with SR WFOs. Most WFOs were unsure of their plans for NWA and if they will have a submission that is SPoRT related. The MOB and HGX office were likely to submit something on the impact of SPoRT SST composite to local modeling and particular forecast issues. More discussion needs to continue and SPoRT is willing to co-author or contribute materials to WFO presentations. Regarding the second agenda item, SPoRT suggested a neighboring WFO modeling effort with similar domains and configurations, but with one WFO running with and one without SPoRT datasets. Then sharing of model output to compare impact of data. Logistical and hardware constraints specified by the WFOs negate this proposal. Other suggests were discussed and SPoRT suggested a 1-day workshop in Huntsville to finalize a proposal. |
2010
Call Summary |
Presentation Topics |
SPoRT presented its ongoing work with the GOES-R Proving Ground (PG). Examples of the MODIS-GOES Hybrid imagery as well as the Pseudo-GLM, both developed by SPoRT to support the (PG), are provided. Discussion occurred regarding the need to evaluate these products and the request by the PG Executive Board for a more formal agreement with end users. SPoRT described what it would desire from its partners for participation in the PG and a potential evaluation strategy for the products it would provide. Additional products, such as convective initiation, may be made available through SPoRT from official GOES-R Algorithm Working Groups (AWGs). |
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1) NWA Presentation by Scott Overpeck from HGX - Coastal Gravity Wave Event of 24 April 2010. Radar used to identify gravity waves that lasted about 3 hours and resulted in 50-60 kts. 2) NWA Presentation by Deirdre Kann from ABQ - Use of SPoRT data in Operations. Wide range of applications were demonstrated using products and imagery sent by SPoRT, such as the GOES Fog Depth imagery, CIRA Blended Total Precipitable Water and associated Anomaly products, the MODIS False Color Snow-Cloud RGB and high resolution MODIS visible imagery. 3) CIRA's new experimental Blended Total Precipitable Water and Anomaly products, presented by Kevin Fuell with Stan Kidder of CIRA attending. The new product incorporates the MIRS data - Microwave Integrated Retrieval System - over land where there is no GPS-met or GOES Sounder values of TPW. |
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