Fusing Total Lightning Data with Aviation Weather Center and Storm Prediction Center Operations during the GOES-R Visiting Scientist Program

The NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) center has been providing total lightning measurements to NWS forecasters since 2003. The use of these data by forecasters has resulted in enhanced situational awareness, guidance on severe weather warnings, and improved lightning safety. SPoRT has used this expertise to participate with the GOES-R Proving Ground. This led to the development of a suite of pseudo-geostationary lightning mapper (PGLM) products derived from ground-based total lightning networks. The PGLM products serve as a demonstration of space-based geostationary observations to help prepare forecasters for the geostationary lightning mapper (GLM). This particular effort, started in 2009 has been a leading activity with SPoRT's GOES-R Proving Ground activities and has been the de facto GLM training data set for the Hazardous Weather Testbed's Spring Program. The PGLM effort is resulting in training for forecasters to discuss total lightning and the GLM as well as providing a two-way dialogue on how to best integrate these observations in the operational forecast environment.

This effort has traditionally focused on collaborations with local National Weather Service Forecast Offices. The call for GOES-R visiting scientist proposals was identified as an opportunity to establish collaborations with national centers to gain their unique operational forecast perspectives. Specifically, this presentation will discuss SPoRT's initial efforts to develop collaborations using total lightning with the Aviation Weather Center (AWC) and Storm Prediction Center (SPC). Unlike SPoRT's traditional National Weather Service Forecast Office partners, the AWC and SPC have different operational perspectives and concerns. This presentation will highlight the unique forecast issues discussed during each respective visit, where future GLM observations will aid with forecasts, as well as the efforts that have been undertaken since the initial visit to collaborate with these national centers as part of the GOES-R Proving Ground.