RTVS Project Description

With funds provided by the FAA Aviation Weather Research Program, the Forecast Systems Laboratory is developing verification tools to provide the NWS Aviation Weather Center (AWC) with a versatile, automated means to baseline AWC forecast products, fully test aviation related algorithms, and provide information to AWC forecasters in real time. The verification tools include a real-time verification system (RTVS), results provided during real-time convective exercises, and a real time forecaster verification tool FVT).

FSL implemented the initial version of the RTVS at the AWC in November 1997. The version included the capability to assess the quality of AIRMETs (icing, turbulence, and IFR conditions) and algorithms that generate forecasts of icing and turbulence. Below are examples of a time series and height series plots generated for forecasts of turbulence Airmen's Meteorological Advisories (AIRMETs). Based on feedback gathered from AWC and the results of a previous requirement assessments, enhancements to the RTVS during FY98 will include: the capability to assess the quality of the SIGMETs and convective SIGMETs, and an initial version of the FVT.