A crowd watches a weather balloon launch during the 2008 National Weather Festival.

Weather enthusiasts of all ages won’t want to miss the 5th Annual National Weather Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., in Norman. The free public event will feature tours, children’s activities, a storm chaser car show, hourly weather balloon launches with local broadcast meteorologists, weather related information and products, Science on a Sphere, and an amateur radio demonstration. Vehicles used in the VORTEX2 tornado study will also be on display.

Event sponsors include the Norman Chamber of Commerce Weather Committee, NOAA, University of Oklahoma College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and the National Weather Center.

More information is available online at http://www.norman.noaa.gov/nwf09 or by calling (405) 325-6907 or (405) 321-7260.

Richard Spinrad, Ph.D., OAR director, and Alexander MacDonald, Ph.D., director of the OAR Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes, announced the awards in a recent organization-wide meeting. The five Norman area recipients conduct research in the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory and the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies.

“Their paper reflects the pre-eminence, the vision and the passion of NOAA researchers,” Spinrad said. “Their work provides a strong foundation for understanding the complex oceanic and atmospheric systems that govern our planet.”

The research team includes:

• Lead author Pamela Heinselman, Ph.D., of the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory
• David Priegnitz, Kevin Manross, Travis Smith and Richard Adams of the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies at the University of Oklahoma

The team evaluated the performance of phased array radar technology that has the potential to produce faster scan times than the Doppler radar systems used in weather forecasting today. The radar was used to scan three Oklahoma storms – a supercell thunderstorm, a microburst producing thunderstorm and a hailstorm – to compare data gathered by the phased array and Doppler radar systems.

Using phased array radar rapid scan capability, the researchers found that for each type of storm mored detailed clues were detected prior to the development of severe weather.   Faster scans showed rapid re-intensification in a supercell, the entire life cycle of a microburst, and more details to determine the threat of hail.

Further testing and development of phased array radar technology could ultimately bring about longer lead times for severe storm warnings and provide people in a storm’s path extra time get to safe shelter.

You might wonder: what do fire and weather have in common?  Well, weather plays a big part in wildfires – how they start and how they are fought.  Each year, wildfires threaten lives, structures, and vegetation across the country.  NOAA National Weather Service meteorologists play a vital role in the awareness and prevention of fire weather – from long-range outlooks to on-site forecasts.

Scott Curl, a forecast meteorologist at the Norman, Oklahoma Forecast Office, explains.

Scott Curl is a Weather Forecaster for the NOAA National Weather Service Norman, OK Forecast Office.

Curl:  “We look at the weather parameters that can set the stage for a large outbreak of wildfires:  temperature, relative humidity, and winds.  What are those doing?  If those 3 – or a combination of those – become extreme, we could have a situation where can have a lot of wildfires.”

So, how do wildfires begin?  Humans start the majority of them – either by accident or arson.  But weather is also a major culprit.  Lightning is especially dangerous in areas of a thunderstorm where no precipitation is falling.  These strikes are known as dry lightning.  Heavy winds have also been known to blow over power lines – causing sparks.

As early as a week in advance, the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service, provides outlooks for areas where fires are possible.  As the days draw nearer, the National Weather Service may issue fire weather watches and red flag warnings if the high risk remains.

Forecasters use multiple tools to help monitor weather conditions.  Radar can show smoke plumes.  Hourly computer models give high resolution info about the temperature, relative humidity, wind, and precipitation fields.  Infrared satellite can display very high temperature sensitivities, also know as hot spots.  This data helps identify a wildfire’s location even in open country where there are no visible smoke plumes or people.

Wildfire outbreak near Noble, OK

Together, these tools help forecasters monitor changes in weather conditions, such as wind direction.

Curl: “Those kind of things need to be relayed to the firefighters so they can do a good job of putting out the fire and also for protection because at one point they may be on the side of the fire in a relatively safe zone but if a wind shift comes in, that safe zone may not be very safe anymore.”

Weather support is also present at the scene of the fire.  Incident meteorologists use remote equipment to provide on-site weather forecasts tailored to a specific outbreak.  This information helps fire management teams plan effectively and ensures fire crew safety.

The National Weather Service works closely with the fire-weather community, including the U.S Department of Agriculture, the National Park Service, and Fire Departments.

NEXRAD radar displays a smoke plume from Noble, OK wildfire.

Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the National Weather Service, fire weather awareness and prevention is an important part of the mission.  In fact, forecasters treat wildfires much like they would treat a severe thunderstorm.

Curl: “It is a severe event.  The weather is impacting that.  We also know that people and property are in its way.  Where is it going to go?  How is the weather going to react with the fire?  How are those weather changes going to impact not only the fire but the people we know who are out there trying to put that fire out?”

Thanks for listening to another podcast of… That Weather Show… brought to you by the NOAA Weather Partners.

Michael Coniglio and Pamela Heinselman

Research scientists studying improvements in tornado forecasting and new radar systems at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Okla., Michael C. Coniglio and Pamela L. Heinselman, were named as recipients of the 2008 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

The award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers. An award ceremony is planned in Washington, D.C. in the fall.

“It is quite remarkable to have two researchers from NSSL win this prestigious award in one year,” said James Kimpel, National Severe Storms Laboratory Director. “It speaks well for the future of our lab to have these outstanding young people on board.”

Working in the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed, Coniglio is a key player in collaborations to evaluate experimental numerical weather models and bring that cutting edge research to forecasters, ultimately improving forecasts. This spring he helped set up the Operations Center and joined scientists in the field for VORTEX2, the largest and most ambitious field experiment in history to explore tornadoes.

Mike Coniglio in VORTEX2. Objects in the mirror may be larger than they appear.

Heinselman has led the National Weather Radar Testbed Phased Array Radar Demonstration project for several years. Her research focuses on the use of radar data to improve tornado warning lead times. She has served as a mentor to numerous undergraduate and graduate meteorology students, encouraging the next generation of scientists.

“In honoring these scientists early in their careers, we recognize both their achievements to date and the promise of their continued contributions to the nation,” said Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. “NOAA takes great pride in these individuals and in its entire complement of stellar science.”

NSSL scientist David Stensrud and former NSSL researcher Erik Rasmussen are past recipients of the honor.

The National Severe Storms Laboratory serves the nation by working to improve the lead time and accuracy of severe weather warnings and forecasts in order to save lives and reduce property damage. NSSL scientists are committed to their mission to understand the causes of severe weather and explore new ways to use weather information to assist National Weather Service forecasters and federal, university, and private sector partners.

Pam Heinselman with student. "It's fun to watch them grow."

The Presidential Early Career Awards embody the high priority the Administration places on producing outstanding scientists and engineers to advance the nation’s goals and contribute to all sectors of the economy. Nine federal departments and agencies join together annually to nominate the most meritorious young scientists and engineers — researchers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for strengthening America’s leadership in science and technology and contributing to the awarding agencies’ missions.

The awards, established by President Clinton in February 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President. Awardees are selected on the basis of two criteria: pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and a commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education or community outreach. Winning scientists and engineers receive up to a five-year research grant to further their study in support of critical government missions.

NSSL Field Command Vehicle with Wyoming tornado in the background. Credit: Mike Coniglio

Preliminary numbers are emerging from VORTEX2 2009, the largest tornado field experiment in history.  The Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment – 2 (VORTEX2) is focused on gathering data to answer detailed questions about how, when and why tornadoes form.

VORTEX2 research vehicles each logged over 10,000 miles visiting nine states (Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa).  Data was collected on 19 days out of 35.  Teams deployed on 17 supercell thunderstorms and 12 ordinary storms.

On June 5, 2009, VORTEX2 collected data on a significant tornado in Goshen County, Wyoming.  Researchers claim this tornado is now the best-documented tornado in history, with comprehensive data collection beginning before the tornado formed and continuing through its demise.

Scientists had hoped to deploy on five tornadic storms this year, but 2009 was a historically low tornado year in the VORTEX2 domain.  NOAA NSSL scientists used the opportunity to refine deployment strategies, and felt by the last week all teams had learned to work together to cover a storm effectively.  At the conclusion of 2009 operations, Principal Investigators met to identify issues to address by 2010 operations, tentatively scheduled for May 1-June 15, 2010.
NOAA NSSL used VORTEX2 as an opportunity to reach out to the public through social networking.  Over 6,000 people are fans of the VORTEX2 Facebook page and over 1,900 are following VORTEX2 on Twitter.

Background: VORTEX2 is supported by NOAA and the National Science Foundation.  Nearly 100 scientists, students and staff took part in the experiment, which ran from May 10, 2009 through June 13, 2009.

Significance: VORTEX2 will give researchers a better understanding of tornadoes and should help increase warning time for those in the path of these deadly storms.

A mobile mesonet instrument rack

A collaborative nationwide project exploring the origins, structure and evolution of tornadoes will occur from May 10 through June 13 in the central United States. The project, Verification of the Origin of Rotation in Tornadoes EXperiment 2 (VORTEX2 or V2), is the largest and most ambitious attempt to study tornadoes in history and will involve more than 50 scientists and 40 research vehicles, including 10 mobile radars.

“Data collected from V2 will help researchers understand how tornadoes form and how the large-scale environment of thunderstorms is related to tornado formation,” according to Louis Wicker, research meteorologist with NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory and V2 co-principal investigator.

Scientists will sample the environment of supercell thunderstorms — violent thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes — that form over more than 900 miles of the central Great Plains. Areas of focus include southern South Dakota, western Iowa, eastern Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, the Texas panhandle and western Oklahoma. The V2 Operations Center will be at the National Weather Center in Norman, Okla.

Preliminary results from V2 are scheduled for presentation at Penn State University during fall 2009. At that time, organizers will begin planning details of the second phase of V2 scheduled for May 1- June 15, 2010.

V2 is a $11.9 million program funded by NOAA and the National Science Foundation, 10 universities, and three non-profit organizations.

The original VORTEX program, operated in the central Great Plains during 1994 and 1995, documented the entire life cycle of a tornado for the first time in history. Recent improvements in National Weather Service severe weather warning statistics may be partly due to the application of VORTEX findings. V2 will build on the progress made during VORTEX and further improve tornado warnings and short-term severe weather forecasts.

“An important finding from the original VORTEX experiment was that the factors responsible for causing tornadoes happen on smaller time and space scales than scientists had thought,” said Stephan Nelson, NSF program director for physical and dynamic meteorology. “New advances will allow for a more detailed sampling of a storm’s wind, temperature and moisture environment and lead to a better understanding of why tornadoes form – and how they can be more accurately predicted.”

Scientists and students throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia that will work with the V2 program include the Center for Severe Weather Research, Rasmussen Systems, NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, OU/NOAA Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, NSF-sponsored National Centers for Atmospheric Research, Penn State University, University of Oklahoma, Texas Tech University, Lyndon State College, University of Colorado, Purdue University, North Carolina State University, University of Illinois, University of Massachusetts, University of Nebraska, Environment Canada, and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

For a complete list of participating scientists, and to learn more about the experiment, visit the V2 site and the official project Web site.

NSF is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $6.06 billion. Its funds reach all 50 states through grants to more than 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

NSSL needs your observations!

NSSL’s HaSDEx program is live and ready for spring severe weather.  Volunteers within 90 miles of Norman, Oklahoma are invited to document date, time, location and the size of hail through a link online at:  http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/projects/hasdex/

NSSL researchers will merge the reported observations with data from the dual-polarized KOUN radar to investigate the relationship of polarimetric variables to hail size.  The information will be used to refine hail detection algorithms designed to diagnose storm characteristics and intensity and improve warnings for hail producing storms.

HaSDEx volunteers are anonymous and make no long-term commitments.  In the past two years NSSL has logged thousands of reports.

Background: Dual-polarized radars transmit radio wave pulses with both horizontal and vertical orientations to more accurately measure cloud particles and precipitation size, shape and density. This additional information results in improved estimates of rain and snow rates, better detection of large hail location in summer storms, and improved identification of rain/snow transition regions in winter storms. The WSR-88D radars in the NEXRAD network will be upgraded with polarimetric technology beginning in 2010, extending their functionality and effectiveness.

Significance:  Enhances public awareness of atmospheric science and severe weather hazards and severe weather safety.

Registration is underway for the three-day workshop, designed to enhance partnerships between severe weather forecasters and researchers, emergency managers, broadcast meteorologists, businesses, storm spotters and other weather enthusiasts. Participants will identify communities at risk, evaluate current and future tools for hazardous weather assessment, and discuss communication technologies and meteorological careers.

This year’s theme is “Dangerous Weather Ahead: Understanding and Communicating the Threats.” A Trade and Technology Expo composed of company displays and information kiosks will be held in conjunction with the workshop.

Banquet speakers Ann Dixson, District Magistrate Judge with the State of Kansas, and Bob Dixson, Greensburg Mayor, will speak about the Greensburg EF5 tornado of May 4, 2007. The two will share their experiences and discuss the community’s commitment to rebuilding.

The event is hosted by NOAA’s National Weather Service and Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association and the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Meteorological Society / National Weather Association.

Workshop registration is being taken online at http://www.norman.noaa.gov/nsww2009. Standard three-day workshop registration is $120 until Feb. 22. Late workshop registration of $140 will be accepted online or at the door. One-day tickets are available for $50 until Feb. 22 and $55 after. Banquet tickets are available for $20 each until Feb. 22.

NSSL field observation vehicles prepare to meet Ike. (All photos, credit NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory)

NOAA’s new mobile radar goes eye to eye with Hurricane Ike

While NOAA forecasters warned residents to evacuate the Texas Coast, researchers were moving into position to scan the eyewall of Hurricane Ike.

A crew from NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and the University of Oklahoma rode out the storm as they recorded the it’s power in their anchored vehicles.

Positioned safely inland, the crew operated the NO-XP, NOAA NSSL and OU’s new mobile dual-polarized Doppler radar as Hurricane Ike made landfall in September.

It was the first time dual-polarized Doppler radar data has been collected on a landfalling hurricane eyewall. Radars with dual-polarization capabilities – radio waves that are sent out both horizontally and vertically – can more accurately determine precipitation types and amounts.

The radar was positioned near Lake Jackson, TX and collected data on Hurricane Ike from about 5 PM CDT through about 7 AM CDT. NO-XP was on the edge of the western portion of the eyewall, and the maximum wind gust at their location was 84 MPH. From their position, the NO-XP combined with the Houston, TX WSR-88D (HGX) radar created a dual-Doppler region that encompassed most of the western half of Ike’s eye. Another mobile radar operated by the University of Alabama-Huntsville was on the north side of Houston and collected data on the eastern half of Ike’s eye. Dual-polarization data was collected during the entire period.

NSSL’s field command vehicle and a mobile mesonet were also in Texas providing support.

The NO-XP is a new mobile radar built to study precipitation processes as well as severe weather and became operational in April 2008. Research data provided by the NO-XP will help improve the quality and accuracy of forecasts and warnings of hazardous weather.

The NO-XP’s predecessors, two SMART-Rs, or Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radars, have collected data on similar storms. In September 2001, the mobile C-band radar jointly owned by NSSL, OU, Texas A&M and Texas Tech, intercepted a land-falling tropical cyclone, T.S. Gabrielle, in Florida. The SMART-Rs also captured data from Hurricane Lili in 2003 and Hurricane Isabel in 2005.

More images:

Mobile Mesonet Vehicle (front), Mobile Laboratory Vehicle (middle), NO-XP Radar Vehicle (back)

NSSL personnel prepare for hurricane observation activities at the Brazoria County Airport, north of Lake Jackson, TX

NSSL field observation vehicles, ready to head out

North Carolina Sea Grant and NOAA’s multi-agency CI-FLOW (Coastal and Inland Flooding Observation and Warning) project team is closely watching Tropical Storm Hanna. North Carolina Governor Mike Easley has already declared a State of Emergency to prepare for the storm. Hanna is nearing hurricane strength and may reach a Category 1 level over night. Hanna’s rain bands are already affecting the area and National Weather Service forecasters are predicting storm-surge flooding of four to six feet and rainfall amounts from three to seven inches.

CI-FLOW is a project to demonstrate improved forecasts of inland and coastal floods and flash floods in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse River basins, where flooding is expected over the weekend. Hanna will provide critical data for ongoing preliminary testing of CI-FLOW, which was initiated in response to the devastating human and economic from Hurricanes Floyd and Dennis in North Carolina in 1999.

CI-FLOW brings together state, federal and academic scientists to demonstrate an end-to-end monitoring and prediction system to reduce the number of fatalities due to flooding, the leading cause of storm related deaths.

CI-FLOW will use precipitation estimates from Q2, a joint initiative between NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory, National Weather Service and the NOAA/University of Oklahoma Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies. Q2 produces precipitation estimates for the United States every five minutes using radar, satellite, lightning, and atmospheric data sets (http://nmq.ou.edu).

CI-FLOW links inland river models and coastal ocean/estuary models, each using input from high-resolution weather forecast models and multi-sensor precipitation estimates. This capability will increase the accuracy of water-level forecasts in the tidal plain by ensuring storm surge impacts and inland streamflow conditions are taken into account.

This research consortium includes NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, North Carolina and South Carolina Sea Grant programs, National Sea Grant College Program, NWS Weather Forecast Offices of North and South Carolina the University of Oklahoma, NOAA/OU Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NWS Hydrology Laboratory, NWS Southeast River Forecast Center, NOAA in the Carolinas, NOAA’s Coastal Services Center and Texas Sea Grant.

CI-FLOW project information can be found at www.nssl.noaa.gov/ciflow