> Research Highlight:
ARL Delivers Improved HySPLIT capabilities to NWS
Research Highlight:
ARL Delivers Improved HySPLIT capabilities to NWS
The Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) delivered model enhancements to
the National Weather Service's National Centers for Environmental
Prediction (NCEP) for their operational Hybrid Single-Particle
Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HySPLIT) transport and dispersion
model. These enhancements allow for long-range dispersion beyond 4 days
and for back-tracking capabilities and for generating additional output
graphical formats, such as that used by Google Earth. In addition,
these enhancements include the capability to drive HySPLIT with winds
from additional analysis and forecast modeling systems: Global Data
Assimilation System; Global Forecast System long range 2.5 degree files;
and Rapid Update Cycle model.
The HySPLIT transport and dispersion model, developed by ARL, is run
operationally at NCEP as needed, to respond to or participate in
exercises for explosive volcanic eruptions and radiological or other
hazardous atmospheric releases, and on a daily basis to provide fire
smoke forecasts (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/aq/). Dispersion forecasts
support weather forecasters at NWS Weather Forecast Offices, who in turn
support local emergency managers. Volcanic ash and radiological
forecasts are provided under the auspices of the International Civil
Aviation Organization and World Meteorological Organization,
respectively, through NCEP's role as the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center
and Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for Environmental
Emergency Response.
These new capabilities greatly enhance and support the NWS's
atmospheric dispersion forecasting capability. For the radiological
application, long-range forecasts now will be used to help answer
questions such as "When and where will radioactivity from an overseas
incident reach the U.S.?" Back-tracking capabilities will allow
estimations of source areas when high radioactivity levels are measured
but the source is unknown. For small-scale incidents, Google Earth
output graphical formats are considered preferable by some customers.
