Deployment of HMT-West 2008
November 27, 2007
On December 3, 2007, the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratories (ESRL) will begin field operations for the 2008 Western Hydrometeorological Testbed (HMT-West 2008). HMT-West is located in the Sierra Mountains east of Sacramento, CA. One of the most significant enhancements to HMT-West 2008 instrumentation, compared to previous seasons, is the addition of several new precipitation and soil moisture measurement sites at high elevation, providing the most comprehensive coverage of the American River Basin to date. A new site for the ESRL scanning, polarimetric, Dppler radar at Blue Canyon will provide polarimetric coverage of the entire basin of the North Fork of the American River for the first time. Polarimetric radars can provide more accurate quantitative precipitation estimates. State-of-the-art forecasting techniques, new tools to distribute information to the operational offices, and efforts to synthesize and integrate information (such as QPE), complete these efforts. (Photo: HMT-West 2008 field site in Talbot, CA, by Clark King–NOAA/ESRL)
Background:
HMT is a NOAA demonstration program designed to aid flood forecasting by
accelerating the infusion of new technologies, forecast models, and
scientific results from the research community into daily operations of the
National Weather Service, including Weather Forecast Offices, River
Forecast Centers and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction.
HMT-West, which will be underway through mid-March, 2008, is beginning its
third full year, with at least one more year planned in the West.
Significance:
NOAAÕs Weather and Water Mission includes goals for improving the
predictability of floods to better protect the public from losses of life
and property. HMT is a concept designed to accelerate and enhance the
testing and infusion of new technologies, models, and scientific results
from the research community into daily forecasting operations of the
National Weather Service, including NCEP, WFOs and River Forecast Centers.
Contact: Tim Schneider | More Information: |