Okla. These experiments mark the first time a fully-automated system of this type has been used in an operational environment. During the 1995 storm season, ARPS ran on the scalable, parallel CRAY T3D system, allowing the model to run at full capacity and yield predictions in an hour or less, a shorter time than previously possible. Drawing on this computing capability, ARPS marked a milestone in meteorology by successfully predicting the structure and location of individual thunderstorms six hours in advance. This is the first time anywhere this has been accomplished. Numerical Forecast versus Radar for June 8, 1995.
Color indicates rainfall intensity, increasing from light blue to pink.
2.5 MB This animation, created with ARPS storm forecast data, shows development of a thunderstorm over Oklahoma. It covers a surface area 67 kilometers square extending 17 kilometers in altitude. The white isosurface shows high concentrations of combined cloud and rain water. The red isosurfaces represent columns of high vorticity, which have the potential to spawn tornadoes. The blue ribbons show wind velocity at two planes, about 600 and 4,800 meters above ground level.