A Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor (MRMS) Product Suite to Anticipate Hydrologic Threats to the Transportation Sector (Invited Presentation)

While hydrologic extremes, such as flash floods or droughts, exert a hazard to health and human safety, the transportation sector is especially vulnerable to weaker, seemingly less impactful forms of weather. For example, a light to moderate rain after an extended period of dry weather can cause slippery roads due to the accumulation of oils and dirt on the road surface. This is the number one cause of weather-related fatalities. Another example is aircraft icing, which often occurs in comparatively weak winter storms. The aviation sector is also particularly vulnerable to rapidly-evolving environments, which may not yield significant accumulations at the surface, but can profoundly affect the safety and efficiency of flight. So, while the types of precipitation events that most commonly affect the transportation sector rarely capture headlines, their combined economic toll often far exceeds that of extreme precipitation events. A new product suite is being introduced in the MRMS system to aid in decision support for the transportation sector. This talk will focus on these products and how they build upon existing products that are already available or under development. Their anticipated us in operations will also be highlighted.