NSAP has developed and deployed very high fidelity, operational, computer–based weather analysis and forecasting systems for many applications worldwide. For example, new weather–prediction systems have brought the Army Test Ranges and Proving Grounds into the 21st century, in terms of weather services. The improved weather information for the Army test planning has saved tax payers millions of dollars. Numerous other domestic projects include providing general weather support for Navy missile launches in California and Hawaii, supporting potential Space Shuttle landings at alternative sites, and forecasting for wind farms. Recently, in collaboration with AirDat LLC, NSAP built a CONUS–scale operational forecasting system that runs with its data–assimilation technology and uses observations from special AirDat weather instruments onboard regional commuter aircraft. Another focuses of such operational systems is on urban areas and urban impacts on the weather.

In contrast to most computer weather forecasting models that don't even recognize the existence of cities in any meaningful way, the NSAP models resolve the large–scale effects of the cities, and some even represent the complex winds in street canyons. In addition to these domestic applications, operational weather systems are being deployed worldwide to support special missions. For example, they have been used by the National Ground Intelligence Center during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom to assess the consequences of the potential release of hazardous airborne material. Such NSAP–provided computer models have been similarly employed for counter–terrorism support by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at the Salt Lake City, Athens and Torino Olympics.

Primary Contacts

• BETANCOURT, Terri | NSAP DEPUTY DIRECTOR | ph: 8489 | email: terrib
• LIU, Yubao | PROJ SCIENTIST III | ph: 2811 | email: yliu