Overview of OSTI Modeling Program Research to Operation Projects Contributing to NOAA’s Operational Modeling Suites at National Weather Service

The Office of Science and Technology Integration (OSTI) Modeling Program is responsible for supporting a variety of National Weather Service (NWS) modeling and research initiatives to improve weather forecasts. This is accomplished by funding research projects to accelerate and advance the development of new models, and foster collaboration among National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research scientists, operational forecasters and the academic community.

Under the Unified Forecast System - Research to Operations (UFS-R2O) Project, a partnership with the Weather Program Office (WPO) in the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), OSTI Modeling Program has funded research and development (R&D) projects with PIs from federal labs and research institutes e.g. Corporate Institutes (CIs), NCAR and universities, to advance UFS-based applications and their transition into the NWS - National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)’s operational modeling suite. At this talk, we will describe the R&D projects towards the next generation of UFS-based Applications for air quality (AQM), hurricane (HAFS), short-range weather (RRFS), medium-range weather (GFS), subseasonal (GEFS) and seasonal (SFS). Those Application Teams work with Notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) PIs closely for the integration of mature science and technology into prototypes of UFS-based Applications that accelerate the transition from research to operation and deliver enhanced products and services for the public.