Kinematic and thermodynamic analysis is a critical part of forecasting and warning for severe storms. Current AWIPS functionality has many limitations of calculating important parameters. This can significantly impact the ability of forecasters to forecast and warn for severe storms.

To help overcome these limitations, a new sounding analysis program was recently developed as an AWIPS application by Bunkers (AMS IIPS 2002). This program calculates many of the latest parameters (using AWIPS data) that are considered important for forecasting and warning for severe storms (e.g., 0-1km storm-relative helicity, 0-3km cape, etc), and also provides for better analysis of the data. To enhance this program, the source code was modified and a graphical interface was developed. Some of the specific enhancements include: i) graphical interface and improved configuration to make setup and operation more user friendly, ii) ability to generate parameters for most available numerical models, iii) generic calculation techniques to work with multiple models, and iv) ability to work on any moveable AWIPS points.

Results of this program will be applied to the four Weather Event Simulation (WES) Guide training cases, authored by the WDTB, that are being distributed in Spring of 2002 as part of the WES implementation plan. The calculations will also be compared to other programs (NSHARP, BUFKIT) and other datasets (raw model output BUFR files) to illustrate the strengths and limitations of using these programs effectively in real-time forecasting and warning decision making. Better use of environmental analysis with this easy-to-use program and interface can have a significant impact on NWS severe weather operations nationwide.