New Features and Capabilities of the Advanced Dvorak Technique (ADT)

The Advanced Dvorak Technique (ADT) is now a mature but still evolving algorithm used extensively by Tropical Cyclone Forecast Centers (TCFCs) worldwide to help objectively estimate the intensity of tropical cyclones. Developed at UW-CIMSS, the ADT is now operational at the NOAA/NESDIS Satellite Analysis Branch. Recent modifications have resulted in a more robust algorithm, with improved performance. These upgrades will be summarized, and the latest validation statistics will be presented. In addition, new research is underway to further extend the ADT capabilities. For example, the functionality of the ADT is being explored to operate on tropical systems prior to forming into tropical depressions, and in extratropical transition stages.  For center fixing, an advanced version of ARCHER, an objective approach using multi-spectral satellite data, is being integrated. Finally, the integration and availability timeline for porting of the ADT into McIDAS-V, a free, open source software platform for 3D geophysical data analysis and visualization, will be summarized.