The Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor System Expansion into the Transportation Sector

The operational Multi-Radar/Multi- Sensor (MRMS) system at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) provides an adaptable infrastructure that allows for product development into new sectors of the weather enterprise. The focus of this talk will be on the expansion of several new MRMS products that are expected to be developed and operational within the next 5-10 years to support the aviation and ground transportation sectors at weather forecast offices (WFO) as well as for Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) assimilation and validation. These include, but are not limited to 1) three-dimensional hydrometeor classification with enhanced surface-precipitation-type information, 2) a road-hazards product capable of discriminating between hazards such as visibly-accreting ice and black ice, 3) uncertainty estimates for reflectivity and echo tops, 4) inclusion of different sources of radar data such as Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) and airplane-borne radars, 5) expansion of the MRMS domain into the Caribbean and Western Pacific, 6) development of new tools to anticipate convective growth and decay, 7) melting layer detection independent of NWP observations, and 8) quality controlled radial velocity data that removes birds and bats, while retaining passive tracers. This expansion of the MRMS system will enhance situational awareness of hazards unique to the transportation sector.