• Continued to develop experimental graphical products 
  • tested experimental tropical cyclone wind speed exceedance probability grids in real-time and by using archived data
  • stratified lightning database to develop first-guess climatological lightning hazard maps
  • provided advice on graphical hazard products as member of several national teams 
     
• Continued to serve as Principal Investigator on International Tropical Cyclone Forecasting project between USAID, NWS, and Government of India 
  • hosted study tour of four Indian scientists to WFO Melbourne, NHC, and HRD in Miami. Provided overview of Tropical Cyclone operations and interaction with emergency management agencies.
  • continued to coordinate additional Indian study tours to the USA and to develop related training programs

• Provided advice/support to NASA personnel for space-flight operations
  • Hosted discussions with NASA personnel related to several new radar volume coverage patterns, supported radar operations for STS-121 (return to flight of Space Shuttle Discovery, July 26), and assisted with determination of tropopause height/temperature profiles for shuttle launch.
     
• Authored / co-authored several conference pre-prints related to mesoscale modeling and operational lightning and tropical cyclone issues, provided comments on AMU tasks, and attended and/or participated in several conferences and interagency meetings: 
  • authored/co-authored and/or presented oral(s)/poster(s): 
    • Assimilation of Multi-Satellite High-Resolution Sea Surface Temperatures for a Real-Time Local Analysis and Forecasting System¹
    • Operational Applications of Lightning Data at WFO Melbourne, FL² 
    • WFO Melbourne Hurricane Operations: An Operational Paradigm and Lessons Learned from the 2004 Hurricane Season³ 
    • Tropical Cyclone Hazard Graphics⁴ 
    • Using MM5 to distinguish tornado-producing mesocyclones from non-tornadic mesocyclones in TC Gabrielle⁵ 
  • ¹ 9th Symposium on Integrated Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Oceans, and Land Surface (IOAS-AOLS), San Diego, CA;  ² Conference on Meteorological Applications of Lightning Data, San Diego, CA; ³ 59th Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference, Jacksonville, FL;   ⁴ 59th Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference; Jacksonville, FL;  ⁵ Finalized COMET Partners Project with Saint Louis University and the Storm Prediction Center
  • participated in numerous AMU tasking meetings and teleconferences
  • coordinated with AMU on Hail Index, Lightning, ARPS, WRF, and ADAS GUI tasks
  • coordinated with SMG - Houston concerning mesoscale modeling opportunities

• Other tasks: 
  • attended NOAA Hurricane Conference at National Hurricane Center (NHC) 
  • completed numerous AWIPS and HP workstation modifications, localizations, and customizations 
  • worked with AMU meteorologist during several on-site visits 
  • detailed to WFO Slidell to assist with warning operations for landfall of Hurricane Katrina and provided 'lessons learned' guidance to numerous WFOs prior to landfalls of Hurricanes Rita and Wilma

---

FY 2004 Significant Accomplishments

• Provided maintenance and modifications to the ARPS/ADAS analysis and prognostic schemes 
  • transferred ADAS production to a new LINUX workstation
  • upgraded ARPS to version 5.1.2
  • procured additional nodes for cluster to allow eight 9-hour model runs per day (versus current four runs)
  • tested operational implementation of prototype ADAS GUI to allow forecasters to interact more efficiently with data ingest

• Continued to develop experimental graphical products 
  • tested experimental tropical cyclone wind speed exceedance probability grids in real-time and by using archived data
  • stratified lightning database to develop first-guess climatological lightning hazard maps
  • provided advice on graphical hazard products as member of several national teams 
     
• Continued to serve as Principal Investigator on International Tropical Cyclone Forecasting project between USAID, NWS, and Government of India 
  • hosted study tour of four Indian scientists to WFO Melbourne, NHC, and HRD in Miami. Provided overview of Tropical Cyclone operations and interaction with emergency management agencies.
  • continued to coordinate additional Indian study tours to the USA and to develop related training programs

• Provided advice/support to NASA personnel for space-flight operations
  • Hosted discussions with NASA personnel related to several new radar volume coverage patterns, supported radar operations for STS-121 (return to flight of Space Shuttle Discovery, July 26), and assisted with determination of tropopause height/temperature profiles for shuttle launch.
     
• Authored / co-authored several conference pre-prints related to mesoscale modeling and operational lightning and tropical cyclone issues, provided comments on AMU tasks, and attended and/or participated in several conferences and interagency meetings: 
  • authored/co-authored and/or presented oral(s)/poster(s): 
    • Assimilation of Multi-Satellite High-Resolution Sea Surface Temperatures for a Real-Time Local Analysis and Forecasting System¹
    • Operational Applications of Lightning Data at WFO Melbourne, FL² 
    • WFO Melbourne Hurricane Operations: An Operational Paradigm and Lessons Learned from the 2004 Hurricane Season³ 
    • Tropical Cyclone Hazard Graphics⁴ 
    • Using MM5 to distinguish tornado-producing mesocyclones from non-tornadic mesocyclones in TC Gabrielle⁵ 
  • ¹ 9th Symposium on Integrated Observing and Assimilation Systems for the Atmosphere, Oceans, and Land Surface (IOAS-AOLS), San Diego, CA;  ² Conference on Meteorological Applications of Lightning Data, San Diego, CA; ³ 59th Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference, Jacksonville, FL;   ⁴ 59th Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference; Jacksonville, FL;  ⁵ Finalized COMET Partners Project with Saint Louis University and the Storm Prediction Center
  • participated in numerous AMU tasking meetings and teleconferences
  • coordinated with AMU on Hail Index, Lightning, ARPS, WRF, and ADAS GUI tasks
  • coordinated with SMG - Houston concerning mesoscale modeling opportunities

• Other tasks: 
  • attended NOAA Hurricane Conference at National Hurricane Center (NHC) 
  • completed numerous AWIPS and HP workstation modifications, localizations, and customizations 
  • worked with AMU meteorologist during several on-site visits 
  • detailed to WFO Slidell to assist with warning operations for landfall of Hurricane Katrina and provided 'lessons learned' guidance to numerous WFOs prior to landfalls of Hurricanes Rita and Wilma
    

    ---

    
    FY 2003 Significant Accomplishments

• Provided maintenance and modifications to the ARPS/ADAS analysis scheme 
  • changed to expanded, 4-km resolution ADAS domain, re-established distribution/display upon AWIPS and WWW
  • changed RUC background for ADAS initialization from interpolation of 3-12 hour forecasts to 1-3 hour forecasts
  • completed optimization and comprehensive documentation
  • maintained (experimental) operational utility of system, performed routine manual quality control of data 
  • expanded web-based analysis products to include animations and added a "graphics glossary."
  • ported analysis data sets into local AWIPS workstations via LDAD and re-distributed to other FL WFOs via SRH
  • set up ADAS archive and began to archive all graphics generated for the WWW
  • added new FAWN sites to ADAS data ingest, AWIPS, and LAPS
  • examined potential for ingest of additional ADAS data sets (COMPS, DOT RWIS, etc.)
  • attempted to ingest KTBW radar into ADAS (configuration issues remain)

• Configured and implemented Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) prognostics
  • configured linux 'beowulf cluster' hardware/software for ARPS
  • configured prognostic scheme and began experimental ARPS runs four times per day
  • examined and evaluated model output for accuracy/biases
  • modified ARPS soil moisture initialization and associated adaptable parameters to reduce large surface dry/warm bias
  • developed website for display of selected graphics and loops
  • set up ARPS archive and began to archive all graphics generated for the WWW
     
• Continued to mature graphical products
  • modified GFE gHLS and web site prior to 2003 hurricane season based on user and WFO feedback
  • worked with NWS HQ to develop "product description document" to begin transition to "official / national" product
     
• COMET Partners Projects
  • completed project concerning characteristics of tropical cyclone (TC) tornadoes [SLU/SPC/MLB]
  • began project concerning MM5 forecasts of TC tornado near-storm environment and ability to distinguish between tornado-producing cells and false alarm warnings [SLU/SPC/MLB]; co-authored AMS paper
  • began project to demonstrate added utility of ADAS analyses after ingest of MODIS data [FIT/MLB]
  • began project to use GOES SSTs to retrieve over-ocean air temperatures in support of local data assimilation and modeling efforts

• Supported space shuttle mission
  • Provided WSR-88D support and forecast coordination as requested during shuttle launch/launch attempts and recovery operations (STS-107; 16 Jan - 01 Feb)

• Authored / co-authored several articles related to ARPS/ADAS and tropical cyclone tornadoes, provided comments on AMU tasks, and attended and/or participated in several conferences and interagency meetings: 
  • authored and presented oral(s) or poster(s): 
    • Operational Applications for Lightning Data during Tropical Cyclones¹ 
    • The NWS Southern Region Modeling Initiative at WFO Melbourne, FL² 
    • High Resolution Diagnostic and Short Term Prognostics in Support of Weather Forecast and Warning Operations at NWS Melbourne, FL² 
    • High Resolution Model Simulations of Tornadic Storms over Florida during Tropical Storm Gabrielle² 
    • High Resolution Diagnostics and Short Term Prognostics in Support of Fire Weather Operations at NWS Melbourne, FL³ 
    • Radar Characteristics of Mesocyclones Associated with Tropical Cyclones (TC) and a Simulation of the Mesocyclone Characteristics using MM5⁴ 
    • Local Data Integration and Generation of Mesoscale Analyses and prognostics at WFO MLB⁵ 
    • A New Generation of Graphical Hazardous Weather Products at WFO MLB⁵
    • Using High-Resolution Diagnostics to Facilitate the Short-Term Threat Assessment of Tornadoes during Tropical Storm Gabrielle (2001)⁶ 
    • An Update on the (Gridded) Graphical Hurricane Local Statement⁶
    • Using High-Resolution Diagnostics for the Short-Term Threat Assessment of Tornadoes during Tropical Storm Gabrielle (2001)⁷
  • attended conferences: ¹2003 AMS Conference on the Inland Effects of Tropical Cyclones; ²28th Annual Meeting of the National Weather Association, Jacksonville; ³5th Symposium on Fire and Forest Meteorology, Orlando; ⁴10th Conference on Mesoscale Processes, Portland; ⁵NWS Florida Technology Expo, Melbourne; ⁶ 57th Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference; Miami; ⁷ St. Louis Student Chapter of the AMS
  • attended: MSFC 'Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center' (SPoRT) as a member of the Science Steering Committee, Huntsville, AL 
  • visited WFO Huntsville to discuss operational and applied research programs
  • participated in several AMU tasking meetings and telcons 
  • participated in AMU discussions/site visits concerning "Real-time Model Verification Plan" and "Severe Weather Forecast Tool"  
  • reviewed AMU manuscripts: "Statistical Short-range Guidance Peak Wind Speed - Phase I", "Land Breeze Forecasting", "Near Storm Environment", "LDIS Optimization and training", and "Reference Guide for Real-time ADAS at NWS MLB"

• Other tasks: 

  • attended NOAA Hurricane Conference at National Hurricane Center (NHC) and made updated gHLS presentation 
  • reviewed several drafts and final report for COMET proposal(s) with SPC and SLU concerning "TC mesocyclones" 
  • completed numerous AWIPS and HP workstation modifications, localizations, and customizations 
  • worked with AMU meteorologist during several on-site visits

  ---

  FY 2002 Significant Accomplishments

• Provided maintenance and modifications to the ARPS/ADAS analysis scheme 
  • maintained (experimental) operational utility of system; performed routine manual quality control of data 
  • expanded web-based analysis products to include animations 
  • ingested mesoscale data sets into local AWIPS workstations via LDAD with assistance from FIT meteorologist 
  • ingested real-time ARPS/ADAS analyses into local AWIPS workstations 
    .
• Acquired 'Beowulf Cluster' to support Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) prognostic scheme (for FY2003) 
  • researched requirements, obtained bids, and procured linux network consisting of twenty 2.2-2.4 ghz  Xeon processors 
    .
• Upgraded and enhanced NWS Melbourne graphical Hurricane Local Statement (gHLS) experimental product suite 
  • ported product production from PC platform to AWIPS Graphical Forecast Editor (GFE) platform 
  • updated webpage appearance and navigation of GFE gHLS web page 
  • distributed files and information to all Florida WFOs to duplicate GFE gHLS production 
    .
• Participated in COMET Partners Project with St. Louis University (SLU) and the NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) concerning tropical cyclone (TC) tornadoes 
  • hosted visit to NWS MLB by SLU researchers and traveled to SLU to present results of recent applied research and to discuss future tasks 
  • provided review of SLU documentations and determined storm relative helicity values for numerous TC mesocyclones based on manually derived storm motions 
    .
• Assisted with local Scientific Applications Training 
  • developed TC Gabrielle tornado severe weather event case using the Warning Event Simulator (WES) and supporting documentation. Provided copies of WES case to Florida WFOs and NWS Southern Region HQ 
  • presented training session at Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) 
  • developed strategy, procedures, and documentation for future tornado events/warnings to assist with WES case production, staff severe weather training, and verification scores  
    .
• Supported four space shuttle missions 
  • provided WSR-88D support and forecast coordination as requested during shuttle launch/launch attempts, landing/landing attempts and ferry operations (STS-108, 5 Dec.; STS-109, 1 Mar.; STS-110, 8 Apr.; and STS-111, 5 June) 
    .
• Authored / co-authored several articles related to ARPS/ADAS and tropical cyclone tornadoes, provided comments on AMU tasks, and attended and/or participated in several conferences and interagency meetings: 
  • authored and presented oral(s) or poster(s): 
    • Local Data Analysis on AWIPS at NWS Melbourne, FL¹ 
    • Thirty years after Hurricane Agnes - The Forgotten Florida Tornado Disaster² 
    • Inland Tropical Cyclone Wind Forecasts for Peninsular Florida² 
    • Using High-Resolution Diagnostics to Facilitate the Short-Term Threat Assessment of Tornadoes during Tropical Storm Gabrielle³ 
    • Tornadoes Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle⁴ 
    • Use of Total Lightning Information at a National Weather Service Field Office⁴ 
    • NWS Utilization of the ARPS/LDIS Analysis System for Short-term Forecasting in East-central Florida⁵ 
    • Experimental methods for conveying hazardous weather information to users⁵ 
  • attended conferences: ¹The Interactive Symposium on the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), Orlando; ²25th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, San Diego; ³21st Conference on Severe Local Storms, San Antonio; ⁴27th Annual Meeting of the National Weather Association, Ft. Worth 
  • attended ⁵MSFC 'Short-term Prediction Research and Transition Center' (SPoRT) Joint Symposium on Short-Term Forecasting and the Convective Weather Warning Process, Huntsville, AL 
  • discuss stratification, at FSU, of wind-flow regime lightning climatology by thermodynamic classifications & creation of situational graphics 
  • participated in "advanced space academy" program at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) 
  • attended annual AMU tasking meeting and presented FY03 MLB requested tasks 
  • participated in AMU telcons concerning "Improved anvil forecasting - phase II" and "LDIS optimatization and training"
  • participated in telcons: Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (ARAC), Advanced Range Technical Working Group (ARTWG) 
  • reviewed AMU manuscript: "Improved anvil forecasting - phase II" 
  • assisted WFO Huntsville with spin-up of operational and applied research programs and hosted visit by WFO Huntsville Science and Operations Officer (SOO) and AMU liaison 
  • Duplicated numerous KMLB WSR-88D archive tapes for NASA/AMU 
    .
• Other tasks: 
  • attended NOAA Hurricane Conference at National Hurricane Center (NHC) and made updated gHLS presentation 
  • reviewed several drafts and 6-month progress report for COMET proposal(s) with SPC and SLU concerning "TC mesocyclones" 
  • hosted on-site visits by WFO Key West SOO and NHC SOO 
  • assisted with local hosting of AMS Annual Meeting in Orlando 
  • developed local Hurricane Outreach presentation 
  • completed numerous AWIPS and HP workstation modifications, localizations, and customizations 
  • worked with AMU meteorologist during several on-site visits

---

FY 2001 Significant Accomplishments

• Completed implementation of ARPS/ADAS analysis scheme
• Worked with ENSCO to finalize ingest and improve timeliness of numerous data sets (RUC, Satellite, KMLB level II radar data, METARS, NASA tower mesonet, NASA profilers, FAWN mesonet, APRS mesonet, ACARS) into ADAS and began continuous updates with 15-minute frequency, implemented "blacklist" feature.

• Transitioned ARPS/ADAS analyses into forecast operations
  • Developed web-based display for real-time analyses and presented training seminar to staff. Examined output daily, evaluated usefulness, and introduced discussion into daily map briefings as appropriate. Developed web-based display for public use as a graphical weather roundup.
     
• Organized and hosted Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM) #6 [14-15 November]
  • Solicited presentations, produced an agenda, organized participation/attendance, and hosted event at FIT.
  • presented two briefings: "Local ADAS Experiences and Future Work at NWS MLB" and "Local Adaptation of Tropical Cyclone Guidance and Applications" 

• Traveled to SMG for an orientation visit during a shuttle landing opportunity [30 April - 02 May]
  • Organized and participated in a familiarization trip to observe shuttle landing forecast preparations and briefings during STS-100. Provided a written summary of experiences to staff.
     
• Supported seven space shuttle missions
  • Provided WSR-88D support and forecast coordination as requested during shuttle launch and landing operations. Traveled to the ROCC to observe shuttle launch preparations and abort scenarios on three occasions (STS-98, 7 Feb.; STS-100, 19 Apr.; and STS-105, 9 Aug.). Four MLB forecasters completed orientation trips to the AMU / ROCC.
     
• Authored / co-authored several articles on the ARPS/ADAS implementation, reviewed numerous AMU manuscripts, provided comments on AMU tasks, and attended and/or participated in interagency meetings:
  • Authored and presented "An Operational Local Data Integration System (LDIS) at NWS Melbourne"
  • Published similar paper as a NWS-SR Technical Attachment
  • Submitted abstract to 2001 NWA meeting "A real-time configuration of the ARPS Data Analysis System to support operational forecasting in East-Central Florida"
  • Co-authored Weather and Forecasting journal article "Local data integration over East-Central Florida using the ARPS Data Analysis System"
  • Submitted paper to 2002 AMS Annual meeting "Local data analysis on AWIPS at NWS Melbourne, FL"
  • Reviewed: "Simulation of a real-time local data integration system over east-central Florida
  • Reviewed "Exploit NEXRAD: Extended evaluation of core aspect ratio"
  • Formally discussed "Anvil" task and "Stats" task with AMU (ENSCO, Inc.).
  • Attended GPS IPWV workshops at Embry Riddle University and the ROCC, attended seminar at the ROCC on the AMU final report on the RAMS evaluation, and participated in telcons: ERDAS/RAMS, LDIS Phase IV (several), and LDIS task extension (several).
    .
• Updated AMU sections on MLB internet site and LANTERN
  • Developed a new AMU section for the MLB homepage, containing the recently established position description, documentation of recently completed and current tasks, agency interactions, etc. Reorganized the AMU section of the LANTERN intranet site.
     
• Other tasks:
  • Developed WARNGEN "competency units" to conduct staff training
  • Presented "TC Mesocyclone" seminar at University of Hawaii
  • Attended NOAA Hurricane Conference at TPC and made gHLS presentation
  • Reviewed several drafts of COMET proposal with SPC and SLU concerning "TC mesocyclones"
  • Attended AMS annual meeting and presented "graphical flood threat" poster
  • Organized and sponsored "Florida Tropical Workshop" at TPC
  • Attended Florida prescribed burn course (fire weather)
  • Completed COMET project with TBW and USF concerning "Wildfire Forecasting in Florida"
  • Entertained Global Atmospherics, Inc. and FIT meteorologists during on-site visits
  • Completed numerous AWIPS and HP workstation modifications, localizations, and customizations
  • Participated in several telcons and local meetings concerning 2002 AMS meeting organization
  • Worked with AMU (ENSCO, Inc.) meteorologist during numerous on-site visits

For additional information concerning the NWS Melbourne IMU, please contact: IMU Science Specialists:  Scott Spratt & Matt Volkmer IMU Technology Specialist: Pete Blottman IMU Leader: David Sharp IMU Administrator: Bart Hagemeyer

‘Turning Science into Service'