88th Annual Meeting (20-24 January 2008)

Tuesday, 22 January 2008: 4:45 PM
Integrating GIS, WRF and NJWXNET to study NJ mesoscale weather phenomena
206 (Ernest N. Morial Convention Center)
Ryan M. Kelly, Kean University, Union, NJ; and S. Yoh
The capability of Geographic Information System (GIS) in geospatial data analysis has added a new dimension in the utilization of numerical weather forecasting model in weather forecasting and the study of mesoscale weather phenomena. Currently, Kean University is running daily a locally configured Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, which covers northeastern United States and is centered over New Jersey. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is utilized to integrate WRF model forecast output and various geophysical data layers (such as landuse, digital elevation, etc.) to conduct the spatial and temporal analysis of mesoscale meteorological phenomena in New Jersey. In addition, NJWXNET, which was established and is maintained by the Office of the New Jersey's State Climatologist, provides a high resolution surface observation network for model verification and mesoscale weather analysis. The enhanced surface observation network, the output from a high resolution weather forecasting model, and the integration of geophysical attributes in GIS, all supplement each other and have provided a better analysis of mesoscale weather features such as heat islands, sea breeze fronts and mountain induced orographic lifting mechanisms.

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