Benefits of Using FSL'S Real-time Verification System (RTVS) at The Nws/ncep Aviation Weather Center

Abstract

The goal of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Weather Research Program (WRP) is to provide the capability to generate more accurate and accessible weather observations, warnings, and forecasts (Sankey et al. 1997). Verification tools provide the mechanisms for assessing the quality and effectiveness of these services (Rodenhuis et al. 1997). As a result, the FAA WRP is funding the development FSL’s Real-Time Verification System (RTVS) to assist the National Weather Service (NWS) Aviation Weather Center (AWC) in reaching these goals: improving performance, developing products that are more user-friendly and relevant to a broader user base, and ensuring that warnings are formatted and worded for ease of use by computers and humans (Kelly, 1998). Since the implementation of the RTVS at AWC in November 1997, strides toward these goals are being realized. For the first time, AWC management is able to objectively monitor and evaluate the quality of the in-flight aviation weather advisories issued for icing, turbulence, convection, and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). In addition, forecasters can also evaluate the quality of guidance products used to make their forecasts. Just as importantly than quality assessment, the RTVS is becoming the driving force behind evaluating what the forecast products represent and provide to the broader user base. In this paper, we describe the benefits of using RTVS at AWC and its role in shaping the future of AWC forecast products.