Slide1: 530230 Mesoscale Atmospheric Network: The Helsinki Testbed David Schultz Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Physical Sciences, University of Helsinki, and Finnish Meteorological Institute Dynamicum 4A01d Mobile: 050 919 5453 David.Schultz@fmi.fi http://www.cimms.ou.edu/~schultz


Slide2: Who am I, and what am I doing here? The “Science” of Phrenology Having the bumps on my head interpreted The Museum of Questionable Medical Devices, St. Paul, Minnesota


Education and Experience: Education and Experience (1) Born (1965) and raised in Pennsylvania (2) B.S. 1987, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (3) M.S. 1990, University of Washington (4) Ph.D. 1996, University of Albany


Education and Experience: Education and Experience (1) Born (1965) and raised in Pennsylvania (2) B.S. 1987, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (3) M.S. 1990, University of Washington (4) Ph.D. 1996, University of Albany (5) 1996–present: Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMMS), University of Oklahoma, and NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), Norman, Oklahoma


Slide5: Adjunct Faculty Member, Univ. of Oklahoma, School of Meteorology Lecturer at summer schools in France and Romania Editor, Monthly Weather Review (co-Chief Editor 2008!!) Co-led the Intermountain Precipitation Experiment Forecaster for National Weather Service, 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Salt Lake City NSSL is co-located with the NOAA/Storm Prediction Center, the best severe-weather forecasters in the U.S. Developed web-training materials on winter weather for U.S. National Weather Service


Research Interests: Research Interests Observationalist and diagnostician, model user, some theory Over 60 publications Cyclone/frontal structure and evolution Winter-weather processes Precipitation banding Snow density Radar observations Thundersnow Severe convective storms Elevated convection Convective morphology Other Mammatus Drizzle History of meteorology Does it rain more on the weekends?


Why am I here?: Why am I here? Develop strong interaction between research (University and FMI), forecast operations (FMI), and the private sector (Vaisala). Summer Course on Mesoscale Meteorology and Predictability Mentor students/forecasters on their MS/PhD research and publications Helsinki Testbed Use Testbed data in research and operations Research on mesoscale weather (fronts, sea breeze, convection) Use dual-polarimetric radar for winter-weather processes Data assimilation and high-resolution modeling Value of Testbed data to forecasting Teach class on Testbed


Course Overview: Lectures: Course Overview: Lectures Helsinki Testbed: Overview and its importance Other mesoscale observing networks Instrumentation Quality control Data assimilation and numerical weather prediction Research methodologies for mesoscale data How to obtain Testbed data Applications of Testbed data: Road weather, air quality, climate, hazardous weather Good scientific communication skills


Course Overview: Lectures: Course Overview: Lectures Helsinki Testbed: Overview and its importance Other mesoscale observing networks Instrumentation Quality control Data assimilation and numerical weather prediction Research methodologies for mesoscale data How to obtain Testbed data Applications of Testbed data: road weather, air quality, climate, hazardous weather Good scientific communication skills


A big KIITOKSIA to all the lecturers!: A big KIITOKSIA to all the lecturers!


Project Requirements: Project Requirements Purpose: Expose you to obtaining and using the Testbed data Get you to use the Testbed data in ways you wouldn’t otherwise be doing for research About 40 hours of work outside of class time Must use Helsinki Testbed data Project can be part of your thesis research Use Testbed data other than dataset of your primary interest, or Some aspect tangential to primary thesis research Can work alone or in small groups (1–3 people) 5–10-page written report due at your seminar


Course Overview: Projects: Course Overview: Projects Tuesday afternoon: initial discussion of ideas and organize into groups by theme Wednesday afternoon, Thursday afternoon, and Friday morning: work within groups to discuss the plan for the project, begin initial phase of research Friday afternoon: group presentations and comments on class projects 10-minute presentations with 5–8 powerpoint slides Peer-review of project design and initial findings Comments and advice from others Feb. 17–?: work on research Sometime in late March or early April: seminars to present results, submit written reports (no later than 13 April)


Beware of the room schedule!: Beware of the room schedule!


Questions to Consider During Each Presentation: Questions to Consider During Each Presentation What limitations do these systems have? Is designing/siting/instrumentation optimal? Optimal for what? What remaining research questions need to be addressed? What commercial and forecasting applications could be developed? How would you direct new resources to the Testbed or research program in the future?


Expectations of Students: Expectations of Students This is not a passive course. Learn the joys of participating!!!!!! Others may have the same questions as you. You will learn more and be more engaged. Class participation will be a factor in your grade Ask questions of presenters (even during their talks!) Interact with them during breaks Consider the presenters as experts on: the types of data and applications of Testbed data project ideas you need for your class project or thesis research


The Helsinki Testbed: If You Build It, They Will Come: The Helsinki Testbed: If You Build It, They Will Come An Outsider’s Perspective


Definition of a testbed: Definition of a testbed A testbed is a working relationship in a quasi-operational framework among measurement specialists, forecasters, researchers, the private sector, and government agencies aimed at solving operational and practical regional _____ problems with a strong connection to the end users. Outcomes from a testbed are more effective observing systems, better use of data in forecasts, improved services, products, and economic/public safety benefits. Testbeds accelerate the translation of R&D findings into better operations, services, and decision making. A successful testbed requires physical assets as well as substantial commitments and partnership. Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”


Definition of a testbed: Definition of a testbed A testbed is a working relationship in a quasi-operational framework among measurement specialists, forecasters, researchers, the private sector, and government agencies aimed at solving operational and practical regional _____ problems with a strong connection to the end users. Outcomes from a testbed are more effective observing systems, better use of data in forecasts, improved services, products, and economic/public safety benefits. Testbeds accelerate the translation of R&D findings into better operations, services, and decision making. A successful testbed requires physical assets as well as substantial commitments and partnership. Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”


Definition of a testbed: Definition of a testbed A testbed is a working relationship in a quasi-operational framework among measurement specialists, forecasters, researchers, the private sector, and government agencies aimed at solving operational and practical regional _____ problems with a strong connection to the end users. Outcomes from a testbed are more effective observing systems, better use of data in forecasts, improved services, products, and economic/public safety benefits. Testbeds accelerate the translation of R&D findings into better operations, services, and decision making. A successful testbed requires physical assets as well as substantial commitments and partnership. Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”


Testbed Concept as a Process: Testbed Concept as a Process


Slide22: Testbeds (regional or topical) Final Network Candidate Sensors surface met GPS receivers profilers gap-filling radars buoys etc. Fill gaps through targeted sensor development, e.g., buoy profilers, precipitation radars, etc. Temporary Oversampling Objective testing and demonstration Testbed results objectively inform decisions on changing the design of long-term regional observing networks Outcome Improved services through NWP & nowcasting


The Helsinki Testbed: Benefits Research, Operations, Business, Public Sector, and End Users: The Helsinki Testbed: Benefits Research, Operations, Business, Public Sector, and End Users Research Improved ability to observe the atmosphere Improved parameterizations Better data to improve numerical weather prediction models Operations More data where it is needed -> better forecasts Development of short-term forecasting system (LAPS) Business Allows developing an end-to-end observation -> forecasting package for customers Public Sector Improved road maintenance More observations of air quality End Users Sailors and other outdoor enthusiasts love the availability of the data


The Testbed is a unique collaboration between the public and private sector.: The Testbed is a unique collaboration between the public and private sector. WeatherBug 8,000 weather stations across USA. Most of these stations are operated by schools and governed by a local television station. AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc., the National Weather Service and the Department of Homeland Security: Weatherbug stations could be used by Homeland Security to assess weather conditions in the event of a disaster (2004) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WeatherBug


The Testbed is a unique collaboration between the public and private sector.: The Testbed is a unique collaboration between the public and private sector. Other examples of mesoscale observing networks. Oklahoma (and Texas) mesonets (mesonet.org) Iowa and Minnesota mesonets Mesowest Weatherbug Hydrometeorology Testbed, research-operational collaboration But these are mostly surface observing networks. The Helsinki Testbed has the added benefit of more 3D observing systems (e.g., profilers, masts).


Definition of a testbed: Definition of a testbed A testbed is a working relationship in a quasi-operational framework among measurement specialists, forecasters, researchers, the private sector, and government agencies aimed at solving operational and practical regional _____ problems with a strong connection to the end users. Outcomes from a testbed are more effective observing systems, better use of data in forecasts, improved services, products, and economic/public safety benefits. Testbeds accelerate the translation of R&D findings into better operations, services, and decision making. A successful testbed requires physical assets as well as substantial commitments and partnership. Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”


The Helsinki Testbed: Solving Society’s Relevant Problems: The Helsinki Testbed: Solving Society’s Relevant Problems Saving lives and property is more than just providing the perfect forecast Hurricane Katrina Public access to information Communication of weather warnings A few researchers have worked on the margins over the years, always being considered an “add-on” to hard-core meteorological and hydrological research There is a growing awareness that improving the quality of life requires a collaboration between atmospheric scientists and other disciplines, particularly those from the social sciences.


Slide28: New culture change initiative: Prof. Eve Gruntfest Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs www.rap.ucar.edu/was_is


Eve’s role – applied geographer: Eve’s role – applied geographer Social scientist in world of engineers & physical scientists Career started in Boulder with Big Thompson Flood Focus: Flash floods & warning systems


The Big Thompson Flood in Colorado July 31, 1976 : The Big Thompson Flood in Colorado July 31, 1976 140 lives lost - 35 miles northwest of Boulder Studied the behaviors that night Who lived? Who died? Led to detection & response systems You can’t outrun the flood in your CAR, climb to safety


Nearly 30 years later: Nearly 30 years later Signs FLASH FLOODS are recognized as different from slow rise floods Real- time detection, some response More federal agencies do flood “warning” Vulnerability increases


Slide32: Eve’s dream: Social Science is MORE integrated in METEOROLOGY WAS*IS


The Helsinki Testbed is not only a model for business, but also a model for the economic value of observing systems.: The Helsinki Testbed is not only a model for business, but also a model for the economic value of observing systems. What is the “optimal” observing network? Rebecca Morss (National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, USA): Economic value of observing systems This work has not been done on the mesoscale before. Is there a group of economists in Finland that could collaborate with us on this topic?


Definition of a testbed: Definition of a testbed A testbed is a working relationship in a quasi-operational framework among measurement specialists, forecasters, researchers, the private sector, and government agencies aimed at solving operational and practical regional _____ problems with a strong connection to the end users. Outcomes from a testbed are more effective observing systems, better use of data in forecasts, improved services, products, and economic/public safety benefits. Testbeds accelerate the translation of R&D findings into better operations, services, and decision making. A successful testbed requires physical assets as well as substantial commitments and partnership. Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”


Definition of a testbed: Definition of a testbed A testbed is a working relationship in a quasi-operational framework among measurement specialists, forecasters, researchers, the private sector, and government agencies aimed at solving operational and practical regional _____ problems with a strong connection to the end users. Outcomes from a testbed are more effective observing systems, better use of data in forecasts, improved services, products, and economic/public safety benefits. Testbeds accelerate the translation of R&D findings into better operations, services, and decision making. A successful testbed requires physical assets as well as substantial commitments and partnership. Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”


A successful testbed should meet the following criteria:: A successful testbed should meet the following criteria: address the detection, monitoring, and prediction of regional phenomena; engage experts in the phenomena of interest; define expected products and outcomes, and establish criteria for measuring success; provide special observing networks needed for pilot studies and research; define the strategies for achieving the expected outcomes; and involve stakeholders in the planning, operation, and evaluation of the testbeds. Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”


Themes-1: Themes-1 Users demand higher temporal and spatial observations. Customers demand even more timely and accurate forecasts. Better forecasts result from better data and better forecast models. Costs of constructing and maintaining observing systems are increasing. No single observing platform can do it all. The present observational system was not designed from the beginning as an optimal network. Neither was the Helsinki Testbed. :-(


Themes-2: Themes-2 “The predictability of specific weather systems that have large effects on society or the economy is largely unknown.” (Dabberdt and Schlatter 1995) Applications of meteorological data depend are extremely sensitive to good data and good model forecasts. Weather forecasts and data “intersect a wide variety of end products and services.” (Dabberdt et al. 2000) “The value of these data is diminished to the extent that they remain inaccessible.” (Dabberdt and Schlatter 1995)