> Laboratory Highlight: ARL Collaborates with NOAA's Web Operations Center on HYSPLIT Roll Out
ARL Collaborates with NOAA's Web Operations Center on HYSPLIT Roll Out
May, 2012 ARL collaborated with the NOAA Web Operations Center (WOC) to deploy
the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT)
transport and dispersion model to the WOC as a major part of the
operational plume prediction system. This new deployment of HYSPLIT is
designed primarily for access by Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and other
vested parties. The system permits a user to enter specific chemical and
radiological sources and returns output showing concentration thresholds
of concern to emergency responders. Plume trajectories, concentration,
deposition, and other levels of concern are provided by the system in
various formats including map overlays.
Background: The HYSPLIT web site, which the WFOs use to run the model
for local dispersion emergency events in their area, had been made
available via the ARL web server. Since the ARL server is not an
operational system, efforts were made to port the specialized HYSPLIT to
the WOC server so that the WFOs would have a 24/7 supported system.
Significance: The accidental or intentional release of chemical,
biological or nuclear agents can have significant health, safety,
security, economic, and ecological implications. ARL's HYSPLIT model is an
atmospheric plume prediction tool that helps explain how, when, and where
chemicals and materials are atmospherically released, transported,
dispersed, and deposited. Having this understanding is essential for
responding appropriately and preventing disaster.
