Recent Updates and Potential Future Adaptations to the Graphical Turbulence Guidance (GTG) Product

The Graphical Turbulence Guidance Product (GTG) has been developed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research for strategic avoidance of turbulence aviation hazards. GTG utilizes a number of larger scale turbulence predictors that are combined to produce clear-air turbulence (CAT), mountain wave turbulence (MWT), and low-level turbulence (LLT) forecasts. It currently runs operationally at NOAA’s Environmental Modeling Center based on NOAA’s Rapid Refresh (RAP) model, NOAA’s Global Forecast System (GFS) and UK Met Office global models to provide turbulence forecasts. Recent work has focused on upgrading the GTG capability to use the cloud resolving Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS) model. Specifically, continuing efforts have focused on researching and adding the diagnosis of convectively induced turbulence (CIT) as a separate category to GTG. Furthermore, research has started to investigate the representation of CIT as a probability in comparison to a deterministic CIT forecast. Results of recent updates to GTG with particular emphasis of CIT will be presented.

This research is in response to requirements and funding by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policy or position of the FAA.