Integration of a real time high resolution ensemble system into National Weather Service hydrometeorological operations

National Weather Service (NWS) forecast offices utilize the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) for weather analysis and forecasting. Integration of data from local numerical weather prediction systems is possible through AWIPS localization and use of the Local Data Manager (LDM) software program. Once data are ingested into AWIPS, forecasters must be trained on data characteristics and develop a personal methodology to integrate these data into their forecast process.

Real time data from the Stony Brook University (SBU) Mesoscale Ensemble System (MES) has been integrated into the NWS New York, NY forecast office's AWIPS. In addition, these data have been incorporated into the various applications within AWIPS including the Site Specific Hydrologic Prediction System (SSHPS). The SSHPS allows forecasters at the NWS to conduct a hydrologic assessment on small, fast responding basins based on various rainfall scenarios. The integration of the SBU MES quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) data into SSHPS allows for the evaluation of mesoscale hydrology using mesoscale ensemble QPF for the first time in an operational environment.

This presentation will demonstrate how the Stony Brook MES data are integrated into AWIPS, how SSHPS integrates the data for hydrological predictions and how the data are assimilated and used by forecasters as part of the forecast process.