Evaluating the Warning Decision Making Process in the 2016 Hydrometeorology Testbed — Hydrology (HMT-Hydro) Experiment

The 2016 Hydrometeorology Testbed Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor Hydro Experiment (denoted as HMT-Hydro Experiment) operated from 20 June 2016 to 15 July 2016. One of the scientific goals of the experiment was to evaluate how operational forecasters utilized experimental flash flood prediction products within the decision making process for the issuance of flash flood warnings. Forecasters utilized a Hazard Services interface modified to survey the forecaster each time a flash flood warning was issued. Topics in the survey interface included the degree of influence of four products from the MRMS and Flood Locations and Simulated Hydrographs (FLASH) systems in the warning decision, the magnitudes of each product regardless of influence, and if the warning was covering a rural or urban area. Forecasters also assigned probabilities of minor and major flash flooding in their warning products and had a comment box to provide a discussion for each warning decision. Overall results will be presented, as well as results related to verified and non-verified events and events that occurred over rural and urban areas. The summary of these findings will help guide training on the future use of this material in operations.