NWS / SPoRT Coordination Call

October 27, 2011

/
Telecon
Meeting called by / NWS Southern Region HQ
Type of meeting / Telecon – Monthly Coordination Call
Facilitator / Bernard Meisner
Note taker / Kevin Fuell
Timekeeper / n/a
Attendees / JAN – Brad Bryant
LIX – Tim Destri, Tim Erickson
MOB – Jeff Medlin, Brian Daly
SPoRT – Kevin Fuell, Geoffrey Stano, Kris White

Agenda topics

Open agenda
/
Geoffrey stano / Kevin Fuell
Discussion / Follow up to visit to JAN
These are items for discussion based on notes from visiting the WFO
  1. Hybrid Imagery
  2. Difference plots of model data with and without SPoRT data
  3. LIS field in AWIPS to do similar analysis as BMX
  4. tornado track images

Conclusions / For items numbered above……..
  1. Hybrid MODIS-GOES imagery is available at JAN and fixes to notification server have been made. They would like the spectral difference hybrid product. Kevin showed the SPoRT website and the training and user feedback form for the hybrid imagery

  1. SPoRT has GEMPAK scripts to make plots of model fields and their difference for comparison between 2 different models. Brad will communicate this to Greg and SPoRT can provide the scripts.

  2. LIS fields are available in D-2d for multiple applications: a) use as diagnostic for surface boundaries as used in the Birmingham WFO CI summer project, b) to understand the input to a local model using LIS for initialization, c) as a diagnostic for flooding potential based on soil relative moisture analysis, d) to understand the change in soil moisture for climate summary / input to items such as the drought monitor. The 3km domain covers the JAN and LIX areas if they desire
  3. SPoRT is responding to a NASA Disasters call for proposals that may result in more of an operational production of imagery like the tornado tracks product created for April 27 event

Action items / Person responsible / Deadline
1)SPoRT to provide configuration files and instructions to make Hybrid of spectral difference available at JAN
2)SPoRT to confirm if GEMPAK scripts of model differencing are desired / Kevin Fuell / November 10
Discussion / Follow up to visit to JAN
1)Script to pull images from AWIPS to the LAN
2)Enhanced SST product fixed
3)pilot project related to NASA disaster proposal
4)Upper Ocean Heat Content
5)modeling of marine layer impact to inland convection in winter/spring
Conclusions / For items above…….
1)Tim D. to confirm script receipt with Mike
2)Tim D. to examine AWIPS display of SST. Kevin provided Derek with instructions and files to update to newest version of MODIS SST composite
3)Tim Erickson is part of the new Pilot Project coming to LIX related to Gulf of Mexico disasters. Kevin mentioned the NASA Disasters proposal SPoRT is submitting and therefore would like their input as to how MODIS or other imagery might be used in their Pilot Project. Kevin mentioned that MODIS visible had been used to see the Deep Water Horizon oil slick.

4)UOHC – Asked about the forecast or nowcast issue related to Upper Ocean Heat Content data. Tim not exactly sure what Mike K. intended but thought that the nearshore land/sea interactions might be the issue. Also, Brian Daly (MOB) thought that it could be related to marine/coastal fog.
5)Tim not sure what local model is running. Kevin/Geoffrey described the issue that Mike brought up during the visit: Convection suppressed due to marine boundary layer influence and is not modeled well. Tim Erickson is a modeling advocate/expert at LIX. He has high interest in setting up the model and looking at impact of SST and LIS along with sensitivity to PBL schemes for this coming winter/spring
Action items / Person responsible / Deadline
1)Check with Tim Destri
2)Confirm with Tim D.
3)Follow up with Tim Erickson regarding the Pilot Project
4)Tim to follow up with Mike on UOHC data
5)Have separate e-mail / discussion with Tim Erickson regarding the modeling project. / Kevin Fuell, Tim Destri, Tim Erickson / November 10
Discussion / Follow up to visit to MOB
1)ground fog vs thicker fog
2)Hybrid Imagery
3)SST values from model analysis
Conclusions / For items above…….
1)Showed the MODIS Night-time microphysics RGB. Described the RGB product concept, the single swath nature of the product, and the future GOES-R capability. Also mentioned the current SEVIRI capability on MSG2. Suggested that if there is high interest that SPoRT could enter a testbed mode with select WFOs that would lead to assessment of value and development of training.

2)Reminder to them that we would like their staff’s attention and evaluation of the remote sensing imagery, even with Jeff heavily participating in modeling efforts with SPoRT
3)Output from model of SST analysis showed very cool temperatures close to cloast that are unrealistic. Kevin provided the input from Jon Case to add the “ssthr” option 2nd after the MODIS SST input for the WRF-EMS due to a mis-match of the landmask used by SPoRT and the WRF-EMS.
Action items / Person responsible / Deadline
3) Jeff to test fix. We will go from there to look for other solutions if this is not the root cause. / November 10