# Presentation: 550546

## NASA’s Short-term Prediction and Research Transition (SPoRT) Center

**Overview and Accomplishments**
**Dr. Gary Jedlovec,  NASA/MSFC**
**Earth Science Office**
_***Mission of the SPoRT Center:***_*** Apply NASA measurement systems and unique Earth science research to improve the accuracy of short-term (0-24 hr) weather prediction at ***_***the regional and local scale***_***         ***
***                      ******http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/sport***

**Presentation at Joint NASA / NWS  SPoRT SOO Workshop  --  July 11-13, 2006**

## How We do Business

**Match data to end user needs**
** ****foster research leading to operational applications**
** ****link data / products to forecast problems**
** ****development and testing of new **
**     ****products for operations**
** ****integrate capabilities into operational **
**      **_**decision support systems**_** and verify / **
**      ****validate performance**
** ****develop / conduct training**
** ****user feedback / interaction**
** ****benchmark products**** and applications**

**How We do Business**

## Unique NASA Data to Operations

_**EOS satellite data**_** provided in *****near real-time***** to 6 WFOs (HTX since 2/2003) to address specific forecast issues**
**	*****convective initiation, morning minimum temperatures, fog and low cloud detection, sea/land breeze convection/temperatures, off-coast precipitation mapping, and coastal processes***
**MODIS high resolution visible/infrared imagery – derived products**
**4 times / day – 15-30 minutes latency, full resolution**
**8-10 channels available **_**simulating NPOESS and GOES-R capabilities**_
**TPW, LST/SST, cloud and fog products, composite imagery for smoke/haze detection, surface vegetation patterns and snow cover**
**AMSR-E products to coastal offices (Miami and Mobile)**
**15-20 minute latency, rain rate – off-shore precipitation mapping**
_**Nowcasting products**_
**convective initiation products for thunderstorm development**
**flash density of total lightning (LMA) – relation to severe weather**
**Unique **_**GOES aviation products**_** in advance of AWIPS builds**

## Unique Modeling / Assimilation to Operations  

**Transitioned **_**regional model products**_** to WFOs**
**twice daily WRF runs provide supplemental information to NWS at 12km with focus over Southeastern US – 0-48hr suite of products**
**Initialized with MODIS 1km composite SSTs since Fall 2005**
**benchmarked performance in several WFOs – positive impact of QPF as supplemental product**
_**Future transitional activities**_
**testing assimilation of AIRS profiles of temperature and humidity within ADAS / WRF – impact of data in void regions on forecast**
**conducting high resolution simulations to assess impact of MODIS SST composites – Project Columbia / MAP06**
** ****coastal circulations**
** ****oceanic clouds and precipitation**
** ****hurricane forecasts – near real-time as part of MAP06**

## Interactions with WFOs  

**Interactions with WFOs  **

_**Huntsville (HTX)**_** - development and transition hub, all MODIS, AMSR-E, and LMA data / products, WRF, and CI products, training, and product assessments**
_**Nashville**_** (OHX) - all MODIS and LMA data / products**
_**Morristown**_** (MRX) – operational WRF**
_**Birmingham**_** (BMX) – all MODIS data**
_**Miami**_** (AMX) - all MODIS data and **
**   ****AMSR-E products**
_**Mobile**_** (MOB) – all MODIS data, **
**   ****AMSR-E products, operational WRF – **
**   ****product evaluation and case studies**
_**Great Falls**_** (TFX) – all MODIS products, **
**high resolution snow cover **
**map and assessment**

## SPoRT  Accomplishments  

**Developed a working paradigm for a research-to-operations (R2O) capability in support of NASA’s weather focus area**
_**Enhanced scientific understanding**_** –**** **
** ****developed/refined EOS data assimilation strategies for regional forecast models**
** ****demonstrated synergistic value of total lightning measurements to serve weather forecasting**
_**Transition to operations**_** –**
** ****integrated state of the art observing, modeling, and nowcasting capabilities into forecast operations**
** ****refine and documented procedures to bring outside data and products into AWIPS to support needs of WFOs**
_**Outreach**_** –**
** ****enhanced collaborations between research and operations communities**
** ****developed a variety of training modules for the NWS forecaster community**
_**Other**_** – **
** ****leveraged SPoRT developed capabilities to enhance NASA spaceflight activities**
** ****LMA extension to additional WFOs and metro DC area**

## Next Steps for WFO Interactions?  

**A workshop outcome is to **_**identify **_**weather forecast areas of common interest and **_**establish methodologies**_** to **_**effectively transition results**_** of NASA Earth science research associated with advanced observing, modeling, and data assimilation capabilities to NWS Forecast Offices and associated decision makers**
** ****Broaden dissemination data and model output**
** ****Forecast problems / issues ??**
** ****WFOs in ever-broadening mission – air quality, **
**          ****marine forecasts, etc.**
** ****WFO – SPoRT partnerships in topical areas  **