We are in the process of preparing for EWP2011.  There will be three primary projects geared toward WFO applications, 1) evaluation of 3DVAR multi-radar real-time data assimilation fields being developed for the Warn-On-Forecast initiative, 2)  evaluation of multiple CONUS GOES-R convective applications, including pseudo-geostationary lightning mapper products when operations are expected within the Lightning Mapping Array domains (OK, AL, DC, FL), and 3) evaluation of model performance and forecast utility of the OUN WRF when operations are expected in the Southern Plains.  We will be conducting EWP2011 for four weeks total (Monday – Friday), from 9 May through 10 June (Memorial Day week excluded).

New for this year, we will be attempting to do operations using the AWIPS2 platform.  We are still in the process of setting this up, and should know in the next few days whether or not it is going to be feasible for our specific requirements (experimental data set display and multi-WFO localization).

Finally, we are about to send out the official invitation to the NWS candidates we’ve selected to participate.  Now, we hope for no government shutdown, or a short shutdown if it happens.  Since most of the EWP scientists are not government employees, we can continue our work to prepare for EWP2011.  However, our NWS participants would not be able to travel in the event the government is shutdown during our test period.  Hopefully our elected officials do the right thing!

More details about EWP2011 will become available over the next few weeks.

Greg Stumpf, EWP2011 Operations Coordinator