Updates on the Graphical Turbulence Guidance (GTG) Product, Including Convectively Induced Turbulence Detection

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 Model Center based on NOAA’s Rapid Refresh (RAP) model. It also runs on NOAA’s Global Forecast System (GFS) and UK Met Office global models to provided global turbulence forecasts for the World Area Forecast System (WAFS).

Current work has focused on upgrading the GTG capability to use cloud resolving models with higher grid resolution, such as NOAA’s High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model. With an improved representation of convection, efforts have also been directed towards including a convectively induced turbulence diagnosis as a separate category into this upgraded GTG capability. Results from these recent upgrades will be discussed.

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.