• Background:
• Designed to bring quick relief to forecasters by giving physically consistent and seamless option for high resolution medium range grids
• Has received broad support from Regions

• Status and timeline:
• Tasking complete
• Change Notification in process (consolidation of Eta run)
• Test grids available to setup optimal baseline SMARTINIT
• March: 30-day testing and evaluation period

§ Forecasters at a subset of WFOs to assess impact on operations

§ Better evaluation of internal drift issues (limited set of fields available via a webpage)

§ Test Regional WAN distribution method

§ HPC will perform model diagnostics

• Mid April: convergence of Eta runs complete and Eta extension running operationally
• GRIB1 Regional distribution continues

• Late May: DVB-S efforts free up SBN bandwidth

• June: OB3.2 upgrade to AWIPS configuration

• June: Eta extension operational via SBN using GRIB2