UFS Satellite Image

Implementing a state-of-the-science fire behavior model in the UFS

The Weather Program Office is working with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to incorporate a state-of-the-science fire behavior model (WRF-FIRE) that accounts for fire-atmosphere feedbacks into the Unified Forecast System (UFS). The fire behavior model will largely increase the UFS’s potential to carry out fundamental fire research, provide predictions of the fire evolution,…

UFS Weather Model Image of moving Nests

 Enhancing high resolution forecasting capability of RRFS-CMAQ

The Weather Program Office is working with Northeastern University and George Mason University to enhance the high resolution forecasting capability of the National Air Quality Forecast Capability (NAQFC) based on the inline Rapid-Refresh Forecast System (RRFS)- Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model system by developing high resolution (3-km) anthropogenic emissions based on the US national emissions…

Vertically Integrated Smoke over the US Graphic

Beyond the “Big-Leaf” Model at NOAA

Use of Novel Satellite Data and In-Canopy Processes to Improve U.S. Air Quality Predictions. PI Name & Contact: Patrick Campbell (pcampbe8@gmu.edu; patrick.c.campbell@noaa.gov). The Weather Program Office is working with George Mason University to advance the next-generation Rapid-Refresh Forecast System (RRFS)-Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model beyond its “Big-Leaf” canopy approximation by using forest canopy processes…

The TORUS project, or Targeted Observation by Radars and UAS of Supercells, aims at understanding the relationships between severe thunderstorms and tornado formation. CREDIT: NSSL NOAA

Fire Weather & Air Quality FY 22 Awards

WPO funds work to advance our understanding of Air Quality and Fire Weather to improve forecasts and warnings for the public. The projects selected in this competition involve the use of machine learning, data assimilation techniques, physics, and post-processing of data to address gaps in the models such as the UFS, create a coupled fire-atmosphere…