Science and Technology Innovation in the Hurricane and Ocean Testbed (HOT)

The Hurricane and Ocean Testbed (HOT), following in the footsteps of the Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT), continues to facilitate the operational transition of emerging tropical cyclone and marine science and technology innovations. The HOT comprises the physical and technical infrastructure required to stimulate engagement among stakeholders across the tropical cyclone and marine community. Current targets for incorporation into operational workflows now include not only social and physical science innovations, but also emerging technology and end-user product innovations.

Testing and implementation activities are carried out both physically at the William Lapenta Laboratory, located at the National Hurricane Center (NHC), and virtually in a cloud-based development environment. The physical and technical infrastructure mimics operations and facilitates a streamlined development and testing process, while removing many of the barriers, such as IT system access and a physical space for collaboration, that have historically hindered research to operations (R2O) efforts.

This presentation will highlight HOT activities and outcomes in 2023, summarize the objectives for 2024, and outline the vision for future tropical cyclone and marine R2O. Topics will include an overview of the wide range of active projects, and a summary of the technology infrastructure and processes that are accelerating iterative development among researchers, forecasters and technical staff.