2012 Project Update: Tropical Cyclone Impacts Graphics

2012 Project Update:

Tropical Cyclone Impacts Graphics

David SharpNOAA/NWS Melbourne, FL

Pablo SantosNOAA/NWS Miami, FL

Frank AlsheimerNOAA/NWS Charleston, SC

Shannon White NOAA/NWS FDTB

Tim SchottNOAA/NWS 0S21

Item 12-21

Note some recentweb enhancements.• URL; TCIG naming• Website redesign• KML vs. PNG displays• Removed “Very Low”• Interactive Text Reader

http://w1.weather.gov/tcig/

Presentation Goal

• This presentation intends to do one thing:– To support the recommendation for initiating and executing the

necessary steps to transition the TCIG from experimental status to operational status for the 2014 season; – With an acceptable alternative being the 2015 season.

– The associated Action Item is notably a “linchpin” for several other items and proposals as submitted to this year’s agenda;– A testament of realized value.

– After 10+ years of development, and 6+ years of multi-regional/multi-WFO experimental provision, many feel that it is time to make an “across the board” commitment to take deliberate action.

Tropical Cyclone Impact Graphics (TCIG)


What Does This All Mean?

• A decision to transition the TCIG to operational status will:– Green light the technical and developmental resources that have

been waiting for the definitive “GO” signal.• A decision to transition the TCIG to operational status must:

– Be accompanied by a comprehensive commitment by the agency, by the respective regions, and by each coastal WFO.



So far, we have been voting on a year to year basis whether to remain experimental; that is, whether to continue or discontinue.

Coming Off The Back Burner

• We have been waiting for the AWIPS II era.• Current testing at WFO Houston

• We have been acquiring WFO feedback.• A diversity of WFO locations and situations; NOAA Hurricane

Conferences; ERMETs (Pilot Project sites)• We have been listening to our customers.

• Through direct feedback, Social Scientists, and Service Assessments

• We are consistent in direction with proposed decision support services and Weather-Ready Nation concepts.• Local; Regional; National



WFO Key West, FL

Moving To The Front Burner

• Finalize baseline version 1.0 for release• Fully supported by agency

• Program support, policy and directive, technical support, training support, etc.

• Generally “freeze” experimental version • Implement minor enhancements as we go along, but major

enhancements reserved for time of official release date.



A “Linchpin” ItemTropical Cyclone Impact Graphics (TCIG)

http://w1.weather.gov/tcig/Irene Isaac Sandy

From the Hurricane Irene Service Assessment

Action Item (12-21)

• List of Action Items which have contingencies upon:– Item 10-39 … explore elimination of text HLS in lieu of TCIG– Item 12-22 … standardize availability of TCIG on WFO homepages– Item 12-23 … reconsider use of “low” as an impact descriptor– Item 12-24 … ensure timely auto-refresh of TCIG web pages – Item 12-25 … mature logic for inland flooding; include river flooding– Item 12-26 … mosaic capability; inter-site coordination; inland WFOs– Item 11-34 … baseline inputs; ensure harmony with NHC, HPC, & SPC– Item 11-35 … provide TCIG service backup capability



For Example: Decision Support Services(for local, regional, and national depictions)

improveinter-site

coordination

TC Warnings dropped;TCIG impact info lost

Decision Support

• Graphicasts or Impact Graphics ???– Local Impact Information ???– Objective Information ???– GIS Intelligent Information ???– Decision-making Information ???

• Not just “Awareness” information ???

• The Public Deserves Briefings Too– WFO Home Page Link– Recorded Briefings– Point-n-Click Briefings (web interface)

• EM Briefings– Multi-level



TCIG !!!

Usefulness of Gridded Data

• Value of Potential Impact Grids– Computed GFE grid sets can be used by

the HLS Formatter and other DSS formatters.• For example, see Item 12-17.

– Availability to NDFD• Customer-derived applications• Time Component (THREAT vs. IMPACT)

– Onset of impact (Ok)– Duration of impact (No)

» Threat - based on “conditions”– Bulleted / Tabular impact information

• For example, see Item 11-23.– GIS Interfaces



What Do We Need To Do?• Finalize the layout and design of the operating versions of hazard tools.

– Perhaps a “Tool of Tools - Dashboard” (???)

• Mature the inland flood tool to use probabilistic QPF from HPC, and to better account for longer duration flood events (e.g., RFC/river flooding).

• Finalize web page functionality and address the timeliness of updates. • Harmonize all threat definitions and impact descriptions; establish

consistency thresholds among WFOs and Regions.– This is paramount for regional and national partners and customers

such as FEMA to mosaic depictions (as accomplished via the NDFD and/or the GIS mosaicking of available KMLs).



High Wind Tool (GFE)

What Do We Need To Do?• Establish WFO home page policy for TCIG.• Integrate TCIG with other hurricane decision support products/

services. Consider a TC DSS site that integrates TCIG and the Interactive Text Reader with other DSS information.

• Enable service back-up capability with secondary and tertiary WFOs.• Develop and provide training updates.• Establish supporting policies/directives.• Open a pathway for adding a temporal

component for impact arrival. User feedback indicates a strong desire.

• Coordinate closely with other project teams for consistency, and to prevent message confusion.– Storm Surge WWA; Hi-Res Inundation Map



Coastal Flood Tool (GFE)

Recommendation

• Agree to initiate and execute the necessary steps to make the TCIG operational for the 2014 season (or 2015 season). In January 2013, convene a meeting of the TCIG Team to outline a comprehensive transition strategy.



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2012 Project Update: Tropical Cyclone Impacts Graphics