Monday 7 April 2014 began the first week of the two-week Multiple-Radar/Multiple-Sensor-Severe Best Practices (MRMS-SBPE) experiment in the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed at the National Weather Center in Norman, OK. NSSL’s MRMS system quickly and intelligently integrates data streams from multiple radars, surface and upper air observations, lightning detection systems, and satellite and forecast models.
The MRMS-SBPE is designed to include forecasters in the process of developing training for the Warning Decision Training Branch in how to best use MRMS severe weather products to improve warning decision making. Through a series of controlled experiments using archive and real-time data, forecasters will also help provide data to prove several hypotheses that MRMS products will provide better warnings for the public. Operational activities will take place during the week Monday through Friday.
Specific goals for MRMS-SBPE are:
- Determine which MRMS products are the most useful for warning decision making.
- Develop optimal AWIPS2 procedures for hail, wind, and tornado warning decision making
- Determine how MRMS products can be integrated into traditional severe weather diagnosis.
- Suggest new MRMS products and display ideas.
This collaboration will help aid the NWS Warning Decision Training Branch (WDTB) in developing their training and educational materials for the MRMS-Severe weather products, which are planned for release by October 1, 2014.