The 2013/2014 Experimental Warning Program at the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed

Every spring National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters throughout the United States visit the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT) to evaluate new technologies and products as part of the Experimental Warning Program (EWP). The EWP supports a mutual collaboration between researchers and operational forecasters as new products and services are developed, evaluated, and disseminated. Early feedback offered by forecasters during EWP operations provides a vital component in the successful transition between research and operations. The 2013 and 2014 experiments evaluated multiple future products and technologies including: (1) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite – R series (GOES-R) convective and nowcasting applications consisting of the NearCast, Convective Initiation, Lightning Density, Lightning Jump, and probability of severe algorithms, (2) a polarimetric Hail Size Discrimination Algorithm (HSDA), (3) the Local Analysis Prediction System (LAPS) Space and Time Multiscale Analysis System, (4) performance and forecast utility of the OUN WRF when operations over the Southern Plains, (5) “best practices” for using Multiple-Radar / Multiple-Sensor (MRMS) severe weather products, and (6) the probabilistic hazards information tool. Feedback from forecasters was obtained through the use of live blogging, online surveys, and post-event discussions. The benefit of EWP activities in the HWT go beyond product-focused feedback: forecasters within the EWP gain access to the latest developments in meteorological research and upcoming changes to operations while researchers are able to better understand the demands of the operational forecast and warning environment. The 2014 experiment added both broadcast and other private sector meteorologists in addition to NWS forecasters, expanding both the range of feedback and impact to operational utility.