530230Mesoscale Atmospheric

Network:The Helsinki Testbed

David SchultzDivision of Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Physical Sciences, University of Helsinki,

and Finnish Meteorological Institute

Dynamicum 4A01dMobile: 050 919 5453David.Schultz@fmi.fi

http://www.cimms.ou.edu/~schultz

Who am I, and

what am I doing here?

The “Science” of PhrenologyHaving the bumps on my head interpreted

The Museum of Questionable Medical Devices,St. Paul, Minnesota

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

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

(5) 1996–present: Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale (5) 1996–present: Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMMS), University of Oklahoma, Meteorological Studies (CIMMS), University of Oklahoma, and NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), and NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), Norman, OklahomaNorman, Oklahoma

Adjunct Faculty Member, Univ. of Oklahoma, School of MeteorologyAdjunct Faculty Member, Univ. of Oklahoma, School of Meteorology Lecturer at summer schools in France and RomaniaLecturer at summer schools in France and Romania Editor, Editor, Monthly Weather Review Monthly Weather Review (co-Chief Editor 2008!!)(co-Chief Editor 2008!!) Co-led the Intermountain Precipitation ExperimentCo-led the Intermountain Precipitation Experiment Forecaster for National Weather Service, 2002 Winter Olympic Forecaster for National Weather Service, 2002 Winter Olympic

Games, Salt Lake CityGames, Salt Lake City NSSL is co-located with the NOAA/Storm Prediction Center, the best NSSL is co-located with the NOAA/Storm Prediction Center, the best

severe-weather forecasters in the U.S.severe-weather forecasters in the U.S. Developed web-training materials on winter weather for U.S. National Developed web-training materials on winter weather for U.S. National

Weather ServiceWeather Service

Research InterestsResearch Interests Observationalist and diagnostician, model user, some theoryObservationalist and diagnostician, model user, some theory Over 60 publicationsOver 60 publications Cyclone/frontal structure and evolutionCyclone/frontal structure and evolution Winter-weather processesWinter-weather processes

– Precipitation bandingPrecipitation banding– Snow densitySnow density– Radar observationsRadar observations– ThundersnowThundersnow

Severe convective stormsSevere convective storms– Elevated convectionElevated convection– Convective morphologyConvective morphology

OtherOther– MammatusMammatus– DrizzleDrizzle– History of meteorologyHistory of meteorology– Does it rain more on the weekends?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 PredictabilitySummer Course on Mesoscale Meteorology and Predictability

Mentor students/forecasters on their MS/PhD research and Mentor students/forecasters on their MS/PhD research and publicationspublications

Helsinki TestbedHelsinki Testbed– Use Testbed data in research and operationsUse Testbed data in research and operations

Research on mesoscale weather (fronts, sea breeze, convection)Research on mesoscale weather (fronts, sea breeze, convection) Use dual-polarimetric radar for winter-weather processesUse dual-polarimetric radar for winter-weather processes Data assimilation and high-resolution modelingData assimilation and high-resolution modeling Value of Testbed data to forecastingValue of Testbed data to forecasting

– Teach class on TestbedTeach class on Testbed

Course Overview: LecturesCourse Overview: Lectures Helsinki Testbed: Overview and its Helsinki Testbed: Overview and its

importanceimportance Other mesoscale observing networksOther mesoscale observing networks InstrumentationInstrumentation Quality controlQuality control Data assimilation and numerical weather Data assimilation and numerical weather

predictionprediction Research methodologies for mesoscale dataResearch methodologies for mesoscale data How to obtain Testbed dataHow to obtain Testbed data Applications of Testbed data: Road weather, Applications of Testbed data: Road weather,

air quality, climate, hazardous weatherair quality, climate, hazardous weather Good scientific communication skillsGood scientific communication skills

Course Overview: LecturesCourse Overview: Lectures Helsinki Testbed: Overview and its Helsinki Testbed: Overview and its

importanceimportance Other mesoscale observing networksOther mesoscale observing networks InstrumentationInstrumentation Quality controlQuality control Data assimilation and numerical weather Data assimilation and numerical weather

predictionprediction Research methodologies for mesoscale dataResearch methodologies for mesoscale data How to obtain Testbed dataHow to obtain Testbed data Applications of Testbed data: road weather, Applications of Testbed data: road weather,

air quality, climate, hazardous weatherair quality, climate, hazardous weather Good scientific communication skillsGood scientific communication skills

A big A big KIITOKSIAKIITOKSIA to all the lecturers!to all the lecturers!

Project RequirementsProject Requirements Purpose: Purpose:

– Expose you to obtaining and using the Testbed dataExpose you to obtaining and using the Testbed data– Get you to use the Testbed data in ways you wouldn’t Get you to use the Testbed data in ways you wouldn’t

otherwise be doing for researchotherwise be doing for research

About 40 hours of work outside of class timeAbout 40 hours of work outside of class time Must use Helsinki Testbed dataMust use Helsinki Testbed data Project can be part of your thesis researchProject can be part of your thesis research

– Use Testbed data other than dataset of your primary Use Testbed data other than dataset of your primary interest, orinterest, or

– Some aspect tangential to primary thesis researchSome aspect tangential to primary thesis research Can work alone or in small groups (1–3 people)Can work alone or in small groups (1–3 people) 5–10-page written report due at your seminar5–10-page written report due at your seminar

Course Overview: ProjectsCourse Overview: Projects Tuesday afternoon:Tuesday afternoon: initial discussion of ideas and organize into initial discussion of ideas and organize into

groups by themegroups by theme

Wednesday afternoon, Thursday afternoon, and Friday morning:Wednesday afternoon, Thursday afternoon, and Friday morning: work within groups to discuss the plan for the project, begin initial work within groups to discuss the plan for the project, begin initial phase of researchphase of research

Friday afternoon:Friday afternoon: group presentations and comments on class group presentations and comments on class projectsprojects– 10-minute presentations with 5–8 powerpoint slides10-minute presentations with 5–8 powerpoint slides– Peer-review of project design and initial findingsPeer-review of project design and initial findings– Comments and advice from othersComments and advice from others

Feb. 17–?:Feb. 17–?: work on research work on research

Sometime in late March or early April:Sometime in late March or early April: seminars to present results, seminars to present results, submit written reports (no later than 13 April)submit written reports (no later than 13 April)

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

Questions to Consider During Each Questions to Consider During Each PresentationPresentation

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 StudentsExpectations 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: The Helsinki Testbed: If You Build It, They Will ComeIf You Build It, They Will Come

An Outsider’s PerspectiveAn Outsider’s Perspective

Definition of a testbedDefinition of a testbed

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

Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”

Definition of a testbedDefinition of a testbed

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

Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”

Definition of a testbedDefinition of a testbed

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

Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”

Testbed Concept as a ProcessTestbed Concept as a Process

Marty RalphNOAA/ETL-PACJET

Testbeds(regional or topical)

Final NetworkCandidate 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: The Helsinki Testbed: Benefits Research, Operations, Benefits Research, Operations,

Business, Public Sector, and End UsersBusiness, 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 The Testbed is a unique collaboration between the public and private sector.between the public and private sector.

WeatherBugWeatherBug 8,000 weather stations 8,000 weather stations

across USA. Most of across USA. Most of these stations are these stations are operated by schools and operated by schools and governed by a local governed by a local television station.television station.

AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc., the National Weather Service AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc., the National Weather Service and the Department of Homeland Security: Weatherbug stations could and the Department of Homeland Security: Weatherbug stations could be used by Homeland Security to assess weather conditions in the be used by Homeland Security to assess weather conditions in the event of a disaster (2004)event of a disaster (2004)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WeatherBughttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WeatherBug

The Testbed is a unique collaboration The Testbed is a unique collaboration between the public and private sector.between the public and private sector.

Other examples of mesoscale observing networks.Other examples of mesoscale observing networks.– Oklahoma (and Texas) mesonets (mesonet.org)Oklahoma (and Texas) mesonets (mesonet.org)– Iowa and Minnesota mesonetsIowa and Minnesota mesonets– MesowestMesowest– WeatherbugWeatherbug– Hydrometeorology Testbed, research-operational collaborationHydrometeorology Testbed, research-operational collaboration

But these are mostly surface observing networks.But these are mostly surface observing networks. The Helsinki Testbed has the added benefit of more 3D The Helsinki Testbed has the added benefit of more 3D

observing systems (e.g., profilers, masts).observing systems (e.g., profilers, masts).

Definition of a testbedDefinition of a testbed

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

Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”

The Helsinki Testbed: The Helsinki Testbed: Solving Society’s Relevant ProblemsSolving 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.

New culture change initiative:New culture change initiative:Prof. Eve GruntfestProf. Eve Gruntfest

Univ. of Colorado at Colorado SpringsUniv. of Colorado at Colorado Springswww.rap.ucar.edu/was_iswww.rap.ucar.edu/was_is

WAS* ISWAS* ISweather & society * integrated studies

www.rap.ucar.edu/was_is/

CULTURE CHANGEWAS* ISWAS* ISweather & society * integrated studies

www.rap.ucar.edu/was_is/

CULTURE CHANGE

Eve’s role – applied geographerEve’s role – applied geographer

Social scientist in Social scientist in world of engineers & world of engineers & physical scientistsphysical scientists

Career started in Career started in Boulder with Big Boulder with Big Thompson Flood Thompson Flood

Focus: Flash floods Focus: Flash floods & warning systems& warning systems

The Big Thompson Flood in The Big Thompson Flood in Colorado July 31, 1976Colorado July 31, 1976

140 lives lost - 35 miles 140 lives lost - 35 miles northwest of Bouldernorthwest of Boulder

Studied the behaviors Studied the behaviors that night that night – Who lived?Who lived?– Who died?Who died?– Led to detection & Led to detection &

response systems response systems

You can’t outrun the flood You can’t outrun the flood in your CAR, climb to in your CAR, climb to safetysafety

Nearly 30 years laterNearly 30 years later

Signs Signs

FLASH FLOODS are FLASH FLOODS are recognized as different recognized as different from slow rise floodsfrom slow rise floods

Real- time detection, Real- time detection, some response some response

• More federal agencies do flood “warning”

• Vulnerability increases

Eve’s dream: Eve’s dream:

Social Science is MORE integrated in Social Science is MORE integrated in METEOROLOGY METEOROLOGY

WAS*ISWAS*IS

The Helsinki Testbed is not only a The Helsinki Testbed is not only a model for business, but also a model model for business, but also a model for the economic value of observing for the economic value of observing systems.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 testbedDefinition of a testbed

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

Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”

Definition of a testbedDefinition of a testbed

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

Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”

A successful testbed should meet the A successful testbed should meet the following criteria:following criteria:

address the detection, monitoring, and prediction of address the detection, monitoring, and prediction of regional phenomena;regional phenomena; engage experts in the phenomena of interest;engage experts in the phenomena of interest; define expected products and outcomes, and establish define expected products and outcomes, and establish criteria for measuring success;criteria for measuring success; provide special observing networks needed for pilot provide special observing networks needed for pilot studies and research;studies and research; define the strategies for achieving the expected define the strategies for achieving the expected outcomes; andoutcomes; and involve stakeholders in the planning, operation, and involve stakeholders in the planning, operation, and evaluation of the testbeds.evaluation of the testbeds.

Dabberdt et al. (2005): “Multifunctional mesoscale observing networks.”

Themes-1Themes-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-2Themes-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)