Description:

The NOAA Unified Forecast System Research to Operations (UFS R2O) Project  supports a large community team of researchers, both inside and outside NOAA, to improve NOAA’s operational forecast models for Hurricane (HAFS), Short Range Weather (RRFS), Medium Range Weather (GFS), and Subseasonal (GEFS) applications by transitioning high readiness level (RL 6-9) innovations to operations. This is the 3rd AMS Town Hall since the onset of the project in July 2020.  A panel of NOAA Program Managers at NWS/OSTI and OAR/WPO and project leaders will present project scientific objectives and progress, current technical approaches in the UFS Earth system model featuring the coupling among six components (FV3GFS/MOM6/CICE6/WW3/Noah-MP/GOCART), physics, coupled data assimilation, model infrastructure, verification & validation, as well as integrating medium readiness level (RL 4-6) innovations by the community into the project as needed. We will discuss the UFS R2O program goals and progress made in aligning project priorities with forecasters' needs/requirements, aligning the UFS R2O governance with the UFS and EPIC governance, and incorporating new applications such as seasonal, coastal, and space weather applications. Information on how to engage with UFS R2O model development and analysis will be presented. An interactive portion will be reserved for discussion between attendees  and panelists.