Internet IM Update, May 7, 1999

• Navy NOGAPS Forecast Model
• April ASOS Commissionings
• Proceedings for NWS Partners Workshop

Navy NOGAPS Forecast Model

The Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training (COMET) has released a new informational model on the NAVY NOGAPS 4.0 global analysis and forecast model. It's available on the COMET METED web site at http://deved.meted.ucar.edu/nwp/pcu2/nogaps/index.htm.

The module contains information on model characteristics, tendencies, and performance statistics for the latest operational version of the NOGAPS medium range prediction model. You will also find links for accessing real-time NOGAPS forecast output and additional documentation. Operational forecasters who review the module should better understand how to integrate NOGAPS output into the forecast decision process.

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April ASOS Commissionings

CUT	Custer, South Dakota
FLO	Florence, South Carolina
GMU	Greenville, South Carolina
HWO	Hollywood/Perry, Florida
MEM	Memphis, Tennessee
MIE	Muncie, Indiana
XNA	Bentonville/NW Arkansas Regional Airport, Arkansas

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Proceedings for NWS Partners Workshop

As IM initially reported in the last edition, NWS held a workshop for our partners in the dissemination process on Tuesday April 27, 1999. Starting in this edition and continuing in the next several editions, we will post the view graphs/handouts from the speakers, NWS points of contact, discussion points, and action items. Click on the items for the various applicable view graphs.

8:30 a.m.: Agenda, Participants and Contacts

8:45 a.m.: Valid Time Event Coding (VTEC), Kevin McCarthy

Discussion Points:

• A numbering system for VTEC is desirable and improves the utility of VTEC.
• Best to have the same number for the event be carried through each Weather Forecast Office (WFO). It is not desirable to have each WFO issue its own number because it would be harder to track the event.
• Any numbering system is better than none
• The implementation of VTEC without numbering is better than no VTEC
• Implementation schedule is okay but prefer national implementation

9:15 a.m.: WMO Headings/Spanish Language Products, Fred Branski

Discussion Points:

Partners expressed a desire for the use of new product categories (NNN) in the AWIPS header for Spanish products. When considering the decision to implement changes to the issuance of Spanish and English products, the Office of System Operations should consider partners wishes. If this suggestion is accepted, these new codes must be able to tie into the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio (NWR).

9:45 a.m.: Dissemination of Radar Products, Mike Carelli/Vico Baer

Discussion Points:

While NWS partners realize plans for the dissemination of radar data are in the draft phase, they would like to be kept up-to-date on decisions made as the plan progresses.

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