Opportunities to Incorporate Total Lightning Data into the Weather Event Simulator

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Opportunities to Incorporate Total Lightning
Data into the Weather Event Simulator

• Michael Magsig
• OU CIMMS Research Associate
• WES Technical Project Lead
• Collaborating with the NWS Warning Decision
  Training Branch

LATEST Workshop Apr. 1st, 2004
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Overview

• Background on the WES
• Playback/Simulations for Post Mortems and Training

• WDTB/CIMMS Interest
• Future
• Discussion

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Components of WES

• WES software is a data pump for AWIPS displays
• Static data review and simulation capability
• Issue warnings
• Slightly modified version of current AWIPS
• Not a full AWIPS, but a start for effective event
  simulation

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Case Review Mode

• Static review
• Post event assessments
• Better understand science
• WES should support display of total lightning
  data

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Simulations

• Real-time playback of archived data

• Essence is the minute by minute time pressure
• Operations testing
• How can total lightning data be effectively used
  in time pressure of real operations?
• WES currently does not support auto updating
  loops of total lightning data

WDTB WDM Simulation in Action
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How to Use WES in LATEST

• WES is now cost free
• Current requirements RHLinux7.2, 500MB - 1Gig
  RAM, 5-10 GB per case disk space needed

• NWS Collaborators
• Obtain WES install CD from COMET
• Obtain AWIPS data from WFO local archive
• Currently no support structure for WES outside
  NWS
• Online WES info and tips
• http//strc.comet.ucar.edu/wes/index.htm

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WDTB Interest in LATEST

• Training
• Better understanding of current observations
  strengths and weaknesses
• Evaluating potential impact on warning
  methodology
• Applied research
• Better understanding of convective evolution
• Combining with dual polarization data

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Future Relevant WES Plans

• Constantly upgrading WES with new AWIPS builds
• Will evaluate if total lightning in simulation
  mode is easily doable
• SCAN functionality could be added this year
• WES functionality beginning to be developed
  inside AWIPS

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Discussion