MAP Lab Implements Ground Based Radar Data Assimilation Capability

MAP Lab Implements Ground Based Radar Data Assimilation Capability

The Multiscale data Assimilation and Predictability lab at the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology  has been working in collaboration with NOAA’s Earth System Research Lab (ESRL) and National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), and Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML). Together, they have successfully implemented the ground based radar data assimilation capability in the NWS operational HRRR and operational HWRF prediction system. This will improve US real-time convective scale and hurricane predictions.

The MAP lab is led by Professor Xuguang Wang, who holds the titles of both Robert Lowry Chair and Presidential Research Professor. Dr. Wang’s team is made up of 18 members including research scientists, post-doctoral scientists, graduate students, and undergraduate students. According to their website, their primary interests are: “i) developing new techniques and novel methodologies for data assimilation and ensemble prediction; ii) applying these techniques to global scale to convective scale modeling systems to improve predictive skill; iii) using these techniques to improve the understanding of atmospheric predictability and dynamics from global to convective scales; iv) transitioning research and development into operations (R2O); v) performing interdisciplinary research, e.g., integrating machine learning with numerical weather prediction, exploring economic value of weather forecast “. This successful lab has been a great source of exemplary research and education for the School of Meteorology!