Enhancing FAA/NWS Research-to-Operations to Support Global and Domestic Missions through the Unified Post Processor

Previous methods of development and transfer of aviation weather research, sponsored by the FAA, have become unsustainable with the evolution of computing methods and increased horizontal and vertical resolutions in numerical models. These R2O methods relied heavily on computing resources limited to the Aviation Weather Center and its limited support staff to implement, along with operations and maintenance. In collaboration with the FAA Aviation Weather Research Program and NOAA Environmental Modeling Center, many of these aviation variable forecasts are being considered for adaptation into the Unified Post Processor at NCEP Central Operations. This new paradigm will provide an opportunity to communicate a common implementation standard and procedure from supporters, to implementers, back to developers, making the R2O process for new aviation forecast guidance more efficient.