During this coming summer, NOAA will begin a major exercise to test a number of future, new forecasting capabilities. The pilot program described here is are intended to address a number of new users needs by:

1) Quantifying the improvements in possible in the forecasting of temperature and air quality in the New England region that results from new and augmented observations, 2) Assessing the benefits of the improved prediction capabilities to the energy sector as a means of anticipating energy usage in times of temperature extremes, and 3) Providing a pathway to operational high-resolution temperature and air quality forecasts to serve the general public in this area.

The major elements of the program will include observations, data acquisition and assimilation, meteorological and air quality modeling, evaluation and verification and benefits assessment. For example, it is expected that nearly 50 NWS Cooperative Observing Stations will be automated, boundary-layer wind profilers will be fielded and special numerical model runs will be made with non-hydrostatic models at resolutions of 4-5 km.

These systems will be described in detail, along with introduction of the experimental air quality forecasting systems which are candidates for future operational implementation. Discussions will then be initiated to facilitate the inclusion of the broadcast community in using the data from this project and in developing the adult and student education and outreach programs needed to support and optimize the impact of the program