NOAA UAS Program’s Global Hawk UAS Project for Tropic Cyclone Research is discussed during multi-line office meeting.
Dr. Gary Matlock, OAR’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Science, briefed SHOUT’s results to the NOAA Observing Systems Council (NOSC) on January 24th with CAPT Phil Hall, UAS Program Director, and Dr. Gary Wick SHOUT’s Principle Investigator present. Dr Matlock covered the SHOUT’s positive results including that this study demonstrated that high altitude long endurance UAS observations are feasible, affordable, and provided positive scientific impact as a risk mitigation option to maintain weather forecast skill for high impact storms at sea when a major satellite failure occurs.
Global Hawk Dropsonde Information as Data of Opportunity was used by the National Weather Service (NWS) including:
- NWS National Hurricane Center Forecasters have used real-time Global Hawk dropsonde information for tropical cyclone intensity assessments when data are available
- NWS Environmental Modeling Center will assimilate Global Hawk dropsonde data into operational Global Forecasting System and Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting models when data are available
The NOSC serves as the principal advisory body to the Administrator and focal point for the agency’s observing system activities and interests. The purposes of the Council are defined in its Terms of Reference and include, coordinating observational and data management activities across NOAA; proposing priorities and investment strategies for observation related initiatives; and identifying programs that might benefit most from integration.