Operational Transition of Gridded NUCAPS to NOAA NWS and Emerging Applications

Cross-track Infrared Sounder/Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (CrIS/ATMS) soundings processed though the NOAA Unique Combined Processing System (NUCAPS) (i.e. NUCAPS Soundings) are currently available in AWIPS-II for forecasters to diagnose unique forecasting challenges. Vertical temperature and moisture soundings are useful to diagnose the pre-convective environment; however, they are limited to a single-point (footprint) based measurement. A team of scientists and forecasters developed the capability to view 2-D gridded plan view and cross section displays of NUCAPS Soundings (i.e. Gridded NUCAPS) in AWIPS-II. The capability was initially developed in conjunction with the Anchorage, Alaska, Center Weather Service Unit (CWSU) to diagnose layers of cold air aloft which are hazardous to aviation activities. After successful demonstration of the Gridded NUCAPS with the CWSU, the product was introduced to forecasters in a testbed environment at the Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT). Forecasters had the opportunity to analyze temperature and moisture fields as well as stability indices during the Spring Experiment and provide feedback on the utility of the data for convective forecasting. These demonstrations of product utility have led to developments to baseline the Gridded NUCAPS in AWIPS, with an expected operational availability of the product in 2019. As NUCAPS Soundings and the Gridded NUCAPS product become available to operational forecasters, there is an opportunity to explore the utility for additional applications. This presentation highlights the new capabilities to asses thermodynamic fields related to fire weather, turbulence, and icing. This presentation highlights new capabilities in AWIPS-II, development of experimental products with microwave-only soundings, and the benefit of utilizing NUCAPS Soundings derived from multiple platforms (e.g., AQUA AIRS, MetOp IASI, S-NPP CrIS, and NOAA-20 CrIS).