Overview
Join us this July at Jackson State University (JSU) or online for the Unifying Innovations in Forecasting Capabilities Workshop 2024 (UIFCW24). This event, co-sponsored by EPIC and JSU, is an opportunity for community partners, including academia, industry, and government, to collaborate in our shared mission to advance forecasting capabilities. Our objective is to deepen the understanding of our collaborative efforts to improve the UFS, accelerate contributions, and measure success effectively.
This year, we will focus on integrating sectors of the Weather Enterprise and fostering a community aligned with EPIC’s mission, emphasizing government research and the crucial role of community building. UIFCW24 is about engaging and uniting our efforts to advance forecasting capabilities for a more informed future. The theme for this year’s workshop is Collaborative Progress in Earth System Modeling.
We aim to bring together scientists and stakeholders from across the Weather Enterprise to address several key topics, including but not limited to the following sessions:
- The state of EPIC and the UFS
- UFS Governance
- Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
- Data Assimilation/JEDI Integration
- Student session/panel discussion
- MPAS dycore discussion
- High-performance computing
Registration
Registration is open! Click the button below to register for UIFCW24 either in-person at Jackson State University (JSU) or virtually.
If you have ANY issues submitting the form, please reach out to EPIC Support ( support.epic@noaa.gov ) to register.
In-person registration must be completed by Sunday, June 30, 2024; there will be no on-site registration for in-person attendance.
Lunch Information
Tuesday lunch: Tex-Mex Buffet $22/person
Wednesday lunch: Southern BBQ Buffet $22/person
Thursday lunch: Traditions Buffet $26/person
*All three lunches include vegan and gluten-free options. Click lunch menu for more details.
How to Pay:
If you are interested in purchasing catered lunches (provided by Flavours by Sodexo at JSU), please click the “Purchase Lunch” button below, and select “UIFCW-July 24th-24th 2024” from the drop-down menu. Click on “Process Payment.” This should bring you to a new page where you enter the amount to pay, credit card information, and your contact information. Once the information is filled out, click “Next” to confirm your payment.
The total amount (when paying for all 3 lunches) is: $70.
Venue Information
Address: Jackson State University Student Center, 1400 John R. Lynch St #3230, Jackson, MS 39217
Parking: Parking is free and available at One University Place parking lot.
Objective
UIFCW24 sets out to build on the existing collaboration between the public, private, and academic sectors within the Weather Enterprise. By highlighting the importance of community building and the shared goal of advancing the UFS, the workshop serves as a key event for fostering enhanced communication and collaboration. It offers a unique venue where participants can explore how these sectors are able to unite effectively, thereby boosting forecasting capabilities, spurring innovation, and achieving success more efficiently.
Workshop Schedule
Schedule subject to updates. Additional information will be added as plans for each session evolve.
* All times are in Central Daylight Time (CDT).
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
July 22, 2024
1:00 pm | Welcome & Kickoff
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
MC | Gillian Petro - User Support Team Lead, EPIC/STC
(presentation slides: Welcome & Kickoff: PPT | UIFCW24 Travel Grant Awardees: PPT )
1:15 pm | Opening Remarks by Denise Jones Gregory, Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Jackson State University (JSU)
Speaker | Denise Jones Gregory - Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, JSU
1:30 pm | Collaborative Progress in Community Modeling and the Importance and Need for Diversity & Inclusion
Description | A panel discussion on collaborative progress towards community modeling that highlights the importance and need for diversity and inclusion in community modeling.
Moderated by |
Maoyi Huang - EPIC Program Manager, NOAA/OAR/WPO
DaNa Carlis, PMP - Director of the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), NOAA/OAR/NSSL
(presentation slides: PPT )
Panelists |
Almesha Campbell - Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development, JSU
Sen Chiao - Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Howard University and Director of the NOAA Cooperative Science Center in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (NCAS-M), NOAA/NCAS-M
Neil Jacobs - Chief Science Advisor for the Unified Forecast System (UFS), UCAR
Bill Parker - Meteorologist-in-Charge (Jackson, MS Weather Forecast Office [WFO]), NOAA/NWS
Wilbur Walters - Dean; College of Science, Engineering and Technology; JSU
2:30 pm | UFS Governance
Description | Leaders from across NOAA and the UFS Community will provide updates on a new proposed UFS governance structure.
Speakers |
Neil Jacobs - Chief Science Advisor for the Unified Forecast System (UFS), UCAR
Stephan Smith - Director of the Office of Science and Technology Integration, NOAA/NWS/OSTI
(presentation slides: PPT )
3:15 pm | BREAK
3:45 pm | NOAA Modeling Team Accomplishments and Future Direction
Description | This session will feature the NOAA Modeling Team's accomplishments over the past year and plans for the future. It will be followed by an open discussion with the UFS Community.
Speakers |
Curtis Alexander - Deputy Director, NOAA/OAR/GSL
Kathryn Shontz - Deputy Director, NOAA/NESDIS
(presentation slides: PPT )
4:30 pm | State of EPIC and the UFS
Description | This session provides an overview of the state of the science for EPIC and the UFS. It highlights what has changed since last year, what has been accomplished, and future goals.
Speakers |
Kevin Garrett - Modeling Program Director, NOAA/NWS/OSTI
Maoyi Huang - EPIC Program Manager, NOAA/OAR/WPO
Vijay Tallapragada - Senior Scientist, NOAA/NWS/EMC
Neil Jacobs - Chief Science Advisor for the Unified Forecast System (UFS), UCAR
(presentation slides: PPT )
5:30 pm | Conclude and Look Ahead
5:45 pm | Networking Mixer
Description | Hors d'oeuvres will be served and raffle prizes will be given away!
Speaker | Almesha Campbell - Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development, JSU
July 23, 2024
9:00 am | Welcome and Kickoff
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
MC | Tracy Fanara - Coastal Modeling Portfolio Manager, NOAA/NOS/IOOS
Presentation slides: PPT
9:05 am | Opening Remarks by Michael Morgan, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction
Speaker | Michael Morgan - Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, NOAA
Presentation slides: PPT
9:15 am | Future of Modeling & Data Assimilation Consortium
Description | This session will feature programmatic highlights from WPO, OSTI, and EPIC on what each program foresees for the future of numerical modeling. It will be followed by two feature presentations from the DA Consortium and the Transatlantic Data Science Academy.
Speakers |
John Ten Hoeve - Acting Director, NOAA/OAR/WPO
Ivanka Stajner - Acting Director, NOAA/NWS/EMC
Stephan Smith - Director of the Office of Science and Technology Integration, NOAA/NWS/OSTI
Presentation slides: PPT
| Multi-University Consortium for Advanced Data Assimilation Research and Education (CADRE)
Speaker | Xuguang Wang - Robert Lowry Chair Professor and Presidential Research Professor, University of Oklahoma
Presentation slides: PPT
| The Transatlantic Data Science Academy: A UK perspective
Speaker | Damian Wilson - Head of the Science Profession at the UK Met Office (UKMO)
Presentation slides: PPT
10:25 am | EPIC's UFS Community Support and Data Management
Description | Speakers will explain how EPIC supports the UFS Community and provide more information on UFS data management.
Speakers |
Jong Kim - UFS Code Management Product Owner, EPIC/STC
Gillian Petro - User Support Team Lead, EPIC/STC
Presentation slides: PPT
10:55 am | BREAK
11:15 am | Student Session
Description | This session will feature student presentations on community modeling.
| The Origin, Structure, and Tracks of the Monsoon Onset Vortex - Integrating Theory and Predictability Studies using the UFS for early season impacts on the Monsoon
Speaker | Shreyas Dhavale - The Origin, Structure, and Tracks of the Monsoon Onset Vortex - Integrating Theory and Predictability Studies Using the UFS for Early Season Impacts on the Monsoon
Presentation slides: PPT
| Change in Lake Michigan’s circulation dynamics with varying bathymetry
Speaker | Nowrin Mow - Change in Lake Michigan’s Circulation Dynamics With Varying Bathymetry
Presentation slides: PPT
| Assessing WRF High-Resolution Simulation of Precipitation during Superstorm Ida across the New York Metropolitan Area
Speaker | Jorge Bravo - Assessing WRF High-Resolution Simulation of Precipitation during Superstorm Ida across the New York Metropolitan Region
Presentation slides: PPT
| Surface Energy Balance Across the 18-site New York State Mesonet Flux Network
Speaker | Anna Glodzik - Surface Energy Balance Across the 18-site New York State Mesonet Flux Network
Presentation slides: PPT
| Quantifying Compound and Nonlinear Effects of Hurricane-induced Flooding using a Coupled Hydrological-Ocean Model
Speaker | Daoyang Bao - Quantifying Compound and Nonlinear Effects of Hurricane-Induced Flooding Using a Novel Coupled Hydrological-Ocean Model
Presentation slides: PPT
12:15 pm | LUNCH
1:15 pm | Effective Use of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
Description | This session will present effective uses of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Numerical Weather Prediction.
| Coupling the Atmosphere and the Ocean in a Deep Learning Earth System Model
Speaker | Dale Durran - Professor / Principal Research Scientist, University of Washington / NVIDIA
Presentation slides: PPT
| Overview of AI4NWP activities at NOAA
Speakers |
Sergey Frolov - Reanalysis and Data Assimilation Team Lead, NOAA/OAR/PSL
Daryl Kleist - Supervisory Physical Scientist, NOAA/NWS/NCEP/EMC
Presentation slides: PPT
2:30 pm | Keynote: Breakthroughs in Model Performance
Keynote Speaker | Sarah Lu - Research Scientist, University at Albany - SUNY & JCSDA
3:00 pm | BREAK
3:30 pm | A Social Science Approach to Unified Community Modeling
Description | This talk will highlight how social science principles have been used to evolve operational concepts for new weather technologies, outline the current state of the UFS community, and share upcoming efforts to use social science strategies to support the UFS.
Speakers |
Alison Gregory - Community Engagement Specialist, Unified Forecast System (UFS), UCAR
Kimberly Klockow McClain - Senior Social Scientist, NWS/NCEP
Presentation slides: PPT
4:00 pm | Status Update on MPAS from Across Organizations & Moderated Discussion
Description | This session will provide a brief status update on integration of MPAS into the UFS, including the scope of what that entails both technically and in terms of collaboration across organizations. It will provide an opportunity to be transparent with the broader community, lay out the big questions that don't yet have answers, and hear community input and feedback on what to consider moving forward.
Presentation slides: PPT
| Bringing MPAS into the UFS
Speaker | Ligia Bernardet - Earth Prediction Advancement Division Chief, NOAA/OAR/GSL
Presentation slides: PPT
| MPAS in the UFS
Speaker | Bill Skamarock - Senior Scientist, NSF NCAR/MMM
Presentation slides: PPT
| Regional MPAS Research and Development at NSSL
Louis Wicker - Meteorologist, NOAA/OAR/NSSL
Presentation slides: PPT
5:30 pm | Conclude and Look Ahead
July 24, 2024
9:00 am | Welcome and Kickoff
MC | Samantha Lang - William M. Lapenta Intern, EPIC
Presentation slides: PPT
9:05 am | Parallel Sessions with Q&A
Description | Three concurrent sessions will provide updates on System Architecture, Air Quality Modeling, and the Medium-Range/Subseasonal Weather Application.
UFS Application – Medium Range Weather (MRW) and Subseasonal-to-Seasonal (S2S) Applications
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
This session will highlight progress on scientific updates, development, testing, and evaluation of applications based on the global coupled UFS MRW and S2S Applications. See more information about the UFS Configuration.
Speakers |
Catherine Thomas - Overview of the Next Global Forecast System GFSv17
Jessica Meixner - Updates on Wave Coupling for the Next Global Forecast System GFSv17
Bing Fu - Status of the next version GEFS (v13)
Sulagna Ray - Improvements in Week 3&4 Ocean Forecasts in Recent GEFS Prototypes Targeting GEFSv13
Linjiong Zhou - Toward Global 6.5-km Weather Prediction and Storm-Resolving Simulation
Shan Sun - An NSST Alternative in UFS: SkinSST
Weiwei Li - Hierarchical Testing to Inform SFS Development: An Investigation from DYNAMO Field Campaign
Benjamin Cash - Diabatic Heating and Vertical Motion in Coupled UFS, or an Unexpected Path to R2O
Cross-Cutting – System Architecture
In-person attendees | Theatre Room
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
Presentations will feature cutting-edge research on system architecture-related topics that impact multiple applications.
Speakers |
Z. George Xue - The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Hazards Forecast System
Benjamin Cash - Community Modeling on Community Platform
Kristopher Booker - EPIC Systems Architecture Enabling Rapid Innovation
Jacob Carley - The Operational Implementation Process - Bringing UFS Innovations to Society
Alex Burrows - Porting of the Global-Workflow to Gaea-C5
Christina Holt - The Unified Workflow Tools and a Proposed UFS Applications Framework
Brian Weir - Driving the User Experience with UW Tools
Eric J. Lingerfelt - The Research Repository for Data and Diagnostics (R2D2): A Distributed Data Management System for JEDI Data Assimilation Workflows
Wei Huang - Running Global-Workflow on AWS
Chris Harrop - Building Federated MPAS Workflows For Research And Development With Chiltepin and UW Tools
Advancing UFS Applications – Air Quality
In-person attendees | Senate Chamber
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
With an eye towards the future, this session will feature presentations about innovative research on the development, testing, and evaluation of upcoming UFS air quality applications.
Speakers |
Kai Wang - Updates to the UFS-AQM Online Prediction System for the National Air Quality Forecasting Capability
Wei Li - Updates and Evaluation of NOAA’s Online-Coupled Air Quality Model Within the Unified Forecast System
Christopher Rozoff - A Dynamical Ensemble Approach to Characterizing Uncertainties in the Prediction of Air Quality Downstream of the Massive Western US Wildfires of 2020
Emily Faber - Investigation of the Impact of Alluvial Flows in the UFS Dust Scheme
Wei-Ting Hung - Development and Evaluation of a Machine Learning Based Wildfire Spread Prediction Model for Regional Air Quality Forecasting
Jeff McQueen - Evaluation of NOAA’s Global UFS Coupled Aerosol Predictions
11:00 am | BREAK
11:15 am | Virtual Poster Slam (Virtual Participants Only)
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
Description | The virtual poster slam provides an opportunity to present virtual poster presentations to the entire virtual audience.
Speakers | A to I
Nate Crossette - Background Error Covariances in the JEDI System
Linlin Cui - An Evaluation Case Study on the Pre-Trained Machine Learning Model FourCastNet-v2
Fabio Diniz - Impact of Observing Systems on Earth System Prediction
Hamideh Ebrahimi - Advancements in Assimilation of Ocean Color Radiance Data
Keenan Eure - Simultaneous Assimilation of Dual-Polarization Radar and All-Sky Satellite Observations to Improve Convection Forecasts
Ashley Griffin - Building Infrastructure to Support the Next-Generation Joint Effort for Data Assimilation Integration (JEDI) System for NOAA, NASA, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and UK Met Office
Clémentine Hardy Gas - Enabling Different Ensemble Data Assimilation Scenarios in JEDI Using the Skylab Workflow
Bo Huang - The NOAA Global Aerosol ReAnalysis (NARA)
Speakers | J to O
Chan-Hoo Jeon - Code Refactoring Practices and Benefits for the UFS Land Data Assimilation Workflow System
Benjamin T. Johnson - New Opportunities for Satellite-Based Sensor Simulation
Erin Jones - Flow-Dependent Vertical Localization in Hybrid 4DEnVar for Improvement of UFS Medium-Range Weather Application Global and Tropical Cyclone Track Numerical Prediction
Speakers | P to S
Mariah Pope - Post-Processing High-Resolution Deterministic NWP Model with Machine Learning to Produce Cost-Effective, Operational Probabilistic Forecasts
Mark Potts - Prototype In-Core Gain Form Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (GETKF) Data Assimilation (DA) Using JEDI and a Coupled UFS Model
Benjamin Ruston - Updates to Environmental Observation Usage in JEDI Skylab
Christian Sampson - A Hybrid Tangent Linear Model in the Joint Effort for Data Integration (JEDI) System
Hui Shao - Advancements in Data Impact Studies using JEDI and the UFS: Insights from the Radio Occultation Modeling Experiment (ROMEX)
Alen Shrestha - Artificial Intelligence Based Workflow for Generating Up-To-Date Land Use Information of the United States for Flood Risk Modeling
Edward Snyder - Expanding the Testing Framework for the Short-Range Weather Application
Speakers | T to Z
Gregory Thompson - All-Sky Geostationary Satellite Radiance Data Assimilation in JEDI
Yue Yang - Impacts of Model Physical Parameters at the Air-Sea Interface on the Background of HAFS-MOM6 EnVar Data Assimilation System for Hurricane Fiona (2022)
Zhifeng Yang - Impact of Assimilating Radar and Lidar Observations on Improving the Bore Forecast During PECAN Campaign
Gamal Zayed - Advancements in Local Oscillator Design for Enhanced Terrestrial and Space Weather Forecasting
Gamal Zayed - Collaborative Data Assimilation for Accurate RF Localization: A Community Modeling Approach
Mengliang Zhang - Enhancing Rainfall Predictions with Graph Neural Networks on the GEFS Dataset
11:30 am | Poster Session (In Person)
Description | Posters and their authors will be arranged in a gallery-style walkthrough in the main lobby. Conference participants are invited to meet and discuss science topics at length with authors.
Speakers | A to I
Keven Blackman - RRFS-SRW Convergence - Developing a Clear Path to Operations for the Community
Anthony David Jr. - A Climate Justice Approach to Major Flooding Events
Prabal Das - Enhancing Precipitation Type Classification Using Random Forests
Benjamin Green - Sensitivity of Atmospheric Vertical Resolution to Biases in SFS Prototypes
Wei Huang - A Neural Network to Assimilate CRTM Brightness Temperature
Speakers | J to O
Zakiya Johnson - Developing an Effective Set of Questions to Extract Partner Needs from NWS IDSS
Aaron Jones - Empowering Forecasting Innovation Through EPIC Community Engagement and User Support
Sina Khani - On the Forecast of Ocean Surface Fields Within the Coupled Seasonal Ensemble Unified Forecast System (UFS) Prototype
Jong Kim - Hierarchical Decomposition of the UFS Test Cases and DevOps Test Framework Infrastructures
Joseph Knisely - Advancing Methodologies for Uninterrupted, Basin-Wide Data Assimilation in the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS)
Nadim Mahmud - Characteristics and Seasonality of the Minimum Oxygen Zone of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea
Murali Nageswara Rao Malasala - Forecasting Integrated Water Vapor Transport and Precipitation on U.S. West Coast with Atmospheric River Analysis and Forecast System
Gina Azarell Martinez Velez - Remote Community Modeling Forecasted Inundations
Margarita Mora - Evaluating the HAFS Forecasts Environmental Flow of Hurricane Idalia (2023)
Yanda Ou - A Novel Hypoxia Forecast System Using Combined Numerical and ML/AI Models
Speakers | P to S
Natalie Perlin - Streamlining UFS Application Builds: Spack-Stack vs. HPC-Stack Package Managers
Corey K. Potvin - Training GraphCast-Based WoFS Forecast Emulators
Zachary Shrader - Stochastic Physics Unit Test Overview of Use Cases and Review of Code Drivers
Ivanka Stajner - Transitioning to Unified Forecast System Applications for Operations - Update from NOAA’s Environmental Modeling Center
Yu-Cian Tsai - Unified Forecast System Model Performance in Madden-Julian Oscillation Simulation and Eastern Pacific Teleconnection for Subseasonal to Seasonal Predictions
Tao Sun - All-Sky Satellite Radiance Data Assimilation Using Gain-Form of Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter Within MPAS-JEDI: Implementation, Tuning, and Evaluation
Speakers | T to Z
Beiming Tang - Downscaling UFS to High-Resolution Using Machine Learning Data Fusion
Hendrik L. Tolman - The State of the UFS in 2024
Jun Wang - Machine Learning-Based Weather Prediction Model Development at EMC
Yixuan Wang - Using HAFS to Drive a Dynamically Coupled Hydrological-Ocean Model for Hurricane-Induced Compound Flooding Forecast
Xuejin Zhang - Microphysics Parameterization Development Progress in the Hurricane Analysis Forecast System (HAFS)
Zhan Zhang - Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFSv2) Upgrades and Operational Implementation
12:00 pm | LUNCH
1:00 pm | Parallel Sessions with Q&A
Description | We will hold three concurrent sessions that will highlight updates to the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System; Physics, Verification & Validation; Dynamics and Nesting; and Coastal, Marine, and Space Weather. Each presenter will summarize their research on their respective subject.
UFS Application – Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS)
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
The Hurricane Application forecasts hurricane track, intensity, and related effects out to about one week. See more information about the UFS Configuration.
Speakers |
Sundararaman Gopalakrishnan - Research and Developments of the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System
Kun Gao - Towards Turbulence-Permitting Simulations of the Entire Tropical Cyclone Vortex with FV3
Jiayi Peng - HAFS-Based Ensemble in Cloud
JungHoon Shin - Development of the Cloud and Vertical Velocity Initialization Process in the HAFS-Vortex Initialization
Sarah Ditchek - The Sensitivity of the Impact of G-IV Reconnaissance Data to HAFSv1 Version
George Alvey - Evaluation of Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) Error Statistics Stratified by Internal Structure and Environmental Metrics
Advancing UFS Applications – Coastal, Marine, and Space Weather
In-person attendees | Theater Room
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
With an eye towards the future, this session will feature presentations about innovative research towards the development, testing, and evaluation of upcoming UFS applications, including coastal, marine, and space weather applications.
Speakers | Coastal, Marine
Saeed Moghimi - Status and Plans for Developing the UFS Coastal Model and Coupled Applications
Ufuk Turunçoğlu - Development and Code Infrastructure of the Coastal Modeling Framework Based on the Unified Forecast System (UFS-Coastal Application)
Yunfang Sun - UFS-Coastal Applications for tropical storms using coupled SCHISM and WAVEWATCH III
Jana Haddad - User Support, External Testing, and Project Planning of the UFS Coastal Coupling Infrastructure in Partnership with the UFS Coastal Applications Team
Xiaochen Zhao - Investigating the Hurricane-induced Salt Variation across the Land-Estuary-Ocean Continuum Using A Dynamically Coupled Hydrological-Ocean Modeling
Joannes Westerink - Improving Tidal Forcing Functions in STOFS-2D-Global, NOAA’s Fast Integrated Multi-Scale Multi-Process Operational Water Level Model
Joseph Zhang - Development of a New Operational Forecast System for the Southeastern US (SECOFS)
Aijun Zhang - NOAA’s Coastal Ocean Operational Forecast Systems, Products, and Future Plan
Speakers | Space Weather
Oladayo O. Afolabi - Evaluating the SAMI2 Model's Performance in the Brazilian Sector During the December 2015 Geomagnetic Storm
Hager M. Salah - Investigation and Prediction of Ionospheric Irregularities over Egypt
Hassan Nooreldeen - Enhancing Ionospheric Forecasting in Egypt: Utilizing GNSS Data and Deep Neural Networks
Cross-Cutting – Physics, Verification & Validation, Followed by Cross-Cutting – Dynamics and Nesting
In-person attendees | Senate Chamber
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
Presentations will feature cutting-edge research on topics such as scale-aware physics, verification, and validation, which impact multiple applications. These presentation will be followed by presentations on topics such as dynamics and nesting, which impact multiple applications.
Speakers | Physics, Verification & Validation
Dustin Swales - The Common Community Physics Package and Single Column Model Version 7
Weiwei Li - Advanced Testing and Evaluation by DTC for UFS Physics Development
Tara Jensen - Most Recent Strides in Enhancing the METplus Verification and Diagnostic Capability to Support UFS Development Activities
Tim Marchok - Use and Distribution of the GFDL Vortex Tracker as Part of the Unified Forecast System
Corey Potvin - Storm-Based Verification and Intercomparison of Warm-Season Forecasts from the HRRR, RRFS, C-SHiELD, and NSSL MPAS models
Cheng Dang - A Generic Model Interface for the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM)
Isaac Moradi - Advancements in the Assimilation of Spaceborne Microwave and Radar Observations
Speakers | Dynamics and Nesting
Lucas Harris - Global Storm-Resolving Climate Simulations in GFDL X-SHIELD
Peter Caldwell - Global Storm-Resolving Simulations With the Simple Cloud-Resolving E3SM Atmosphere Model
William Ramstrom - Multiple Moving Nest Implementation for the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS)
Meiyun Lin - The GFDL Variable-Resolution Global Chemistry-Climate Model for Research at the Nexus of US Climate and Air Quality Extremes
3:30 pm | BREAK
3:45 pm | Physics Parameterizations Across Scales for UFS Applications
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
Description | This session seeks contributions regarding the development, testing, and evaluation of physics parameterizations for the Unified Forecast System (UFS) Applications, including but not limited to the Global Forecast System (GFS), Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS), Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS), Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS), and Air Quality Model (AQM). Contributions on the following topics are encouraged:
- Improvements to existing physics parameterizations
- Development of new scale-aware parameterizations for earth system modeling
- Consolidation of physical parameterizations representing similar physics processes (e.g., unification of vertical transport in boundary layer and convection schemes)
- Physics-dynamics coupling at different temporal and spatial scales
Speaker | Jian-Wen Bao - Research Meteorologist, NOAA/OAR/PSL
Presentation slides: PPT
4:15 pm | Seasonal Forecasting in the UFS: Opportunities and Challenges
Description | This session will focus on the UFS at seasonal timescales (several months of lead time), which goes beyond the subseasonal timescale that is covered by GEFSv13. Particular emphasis will be placed on efforts to build NOAA’s UFS-based Seasonal Forecast System (SFS), which will replace the 13+ year old CFSv2. The objectives will be to:
- Present preliminary results.
- Discuss unique challenges to applying UFS to seasonal-length prediction (e.g., model configuration, post-processing, diagnostics) both operationally and in the broader research community.
- Involve stakeholders outside of NOAA who may use and/or contribute to the SFS.
Speaker | Philip Pegion - Physical Scientist, NOAA/OAR/PSL
Presentation slides: PPT
4:45 pm | Current and Future Strategies for Verification and Post-Processing of Numerical Weather Prediction Models at NOAA Environmental Modeling Center
Description | This session will focus on current and future strategies for environmental model verification and post-processing at the NOAA Environmental Modeling Center’s Verification, Post-Processing, and Product Generation Branch (VPPPGB). VPPPGB is responsible for all of the data products at EMC, as well as for the quality control, verification, and evaluation of those products. EMC’s suite of environmental models mainly use the Unified Post-Processor (UPP) software to generate products, and the EMC Verification System (EVS) to verify and evaluate products. This presentation will provide a discussion of EMC’s product and verification strategies, including descriptions of EMC’s product systems and the model evaluation process led by the Model Evaluation Group (MEG).
Speaker | Jason Levit - Branch Chief, NOAA/NWS/NCEP/EMC
Presentation slides: PPT
5:15 pm | Future Plan for Weather and Climate Modeling (GFS, GEFS, S2S, SFS)
Description | Presents current plan and goals for weather and climate modeling.
| Advancements in the UFS Applications based on GFS, GEFS and SFS
Speaker | Cristiana Stan - Professor, George Mason University
Presentation slides: PPT
| NOAA’s Seasonal Forecast System (SFS) Development Plan: A Community Modeling Approach to Increase Forecast Skill and to Meet User Needs
Speaker | Yan Xue - Program Manager, NOAA/NWS/OSTI/Modeling Program
Presentation slides: PPT
5:45 pm | Conclude and Look Ahead
July 25, 2024
9:00 am | Welcome and Kickoff
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
MC | Jamese Sims - Chief Executive Officer of Thee Anomaly, LLC
Presentation slides: PPT
9:05 am | Round-Table Discussion on Community Modeling Including Focus Groups
**This will not be livestreamed or recorded** Please Note - The virtual link for the roundtable will be emailed out to those who registered.
Description | The goals of this interactive session are to understand how participants engage in community modeling and to gather participants' thoughts as to how best to structure a modeling community that facilitates engagement, ensures equitable contribution, and encourages collaboration. Participants will be divided into groups for an 85-minute facilitated discussion guided by a moderator. This session provides opportunities for an interactive discussion among all stakeholder groups interested in community modeling. Attendees should come prepared to discuss their thoughts on how to build and develop new relationships based on shared interests in community modeling that span beyond specific stakeholder groups.
Presentation slides: PPT
Moderated by |
Alison Gregory, Community Engagement Specialist, Unified Forecast System (UFS), UCAR
John Ten Hoeve - Acting Director, NOAA/OAR/WPO
Ji Sun Lee - Director of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBES) Program, NOAA/NWS
Valerie Were - Social and Behavioral Science Program Analyst, CIRA & NWS
10:30 am | Invited Student Presentations
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
Description | This session will feature presentations on community modeling from students.
Speakers |
ReneDiego Martinez - Developing a Jupyter Notebook-Based Tutorial of the GDAS Proxy Application for Enhanced Data Assimilation in Earth System Prediction
Samantha Lang - Highlights and Recommendations for Student Engagement from the Unified Forecast System Student Ambassador
11:00 am | BREAK
11:15 am | Operationalizing “Cool” for the UFS
Description | The ultimate goal of our nation's weather forecasting is to save lives and property. Increasing users of the UFS will further support this mission. One of the main
hurdles currently facing UFS adoption is how to make the UFS appeal to broader audiences in more creative ways, aka how do we make the UFS “cool”? This presentation demonstrates three areas where we can begin to envision the UFS being utilized in unique and different settings.
Speakers |
Alison Gregory, Community Engagement Specialist, Unified Forecast System (UFS)
Tracy Fanara - Coastal Modeling Portfolio Manager, NOAA/NOS/IOOS
Presentation slides: PPT
12:00 pm | LUNCH
1:00 pm | Parallel Sessions with Q&A
Description | We will hold three concurrent sessions that will highlight updates on the Short-Range Weather Application and Rapid Refresh Forecast System, Oceans and Ecology, Land/Surface Models, and Data Assimilation. Each presenter will present their research on their respective subject.
UFS Application – Short Range Weather (SRW) Application and Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS)
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
This session will highlight the scientific updates, achievements, and challenges of the UFS SRW Application, including research, development, testing, and evaluation of the 3D Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis System (3DRTMA) and Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS). See more information on the UFS Configuration and current developments.
Speakers |
Matthew E. Pyle - Current Status of the Rapid Refresh Forecast System
Israel Jirak - Evaluation of the Rapid Refresh Forecast System During the 2024 NOAA HWT Spring Forecasting Experiment
Adam Clark - Evaluations of Deterministic and Ensemble Regional MPAS Configurations for Severe Weather Forecasting During the 2024 NOAA/Hazardous Weather Testbed Spring Forecasting Experiment
Curtis Alexander - Rapid Refresh Forecast System Development for Version 2
Aaron Johnson - Ensemble Correlations Between All-Sky ABI Water Vapor Channel Radiance and MPAS Ensemble State Variables: Flow dependence and implications for RRFS data assimilation
Irena Ivanova - Towards Explicit Effects of Forest Canopy Shading and Turbulence on Boundary Layer Ozone in UFS SRW Air Quality Model
James Beisman - Incorporation of RRFS-Smoke and Dust (SD) Capabilities into the UFS Short-Range Weather (SRW) Application
UFS Application – Oceans and Ecology
In-person attendees | Theatre Room
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
The Oceans and Ecology session takes an Earth systems approach to understanding threats to lives and livelihoods; it will feature research that integrates physical, chemical, and biological sciences to model oceans and ecology.
Speakers |
Le Zhang - Quantifying Carbon System Resilience of a River-Dominated Shelf to Hurricanes: A Case Study of Ida
Yonggang Liu - Short-Term Forecast of Karenia Brevis Trajectory on the West Florida Shelf
Fei Ye - Forecasting Coastal Flooding Including Inland Extremes and Heavy Precipitation With STOFS-3D
Paola Dosal - Improving Spatial Resolution in NOAA’s Historical Flood Data With the Coastal Ocean Reanalysis
Maitane Olabarrieta - Forecasting Hurricane Impacts in the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico
Kehui Xu - Coupled Ocean Modeling Testbed (COMT) Platform for Physics and Contaminant Exchange Through the River - Estuary - Ocean Continuum
Dante M. L. Horemans - Optimizing the Forecasting Skill of Correlative Estuarine Species Distribution Models Using Mechanistic Model Output
Jilian Xiong - Impact of Estuarine Exchange Flow on Mul6-tracer Budgets in the Salish Sea
Aaron Bever - Coupled Hydrodynamic-Biogeochemical Forecasting Using the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Forecasting System
Maitane Olabarrieta - Forecasting the Impacts of Lake Operations on the Estuarine Hydrodynamics and Pollutant Transport
Zhengchen (John) Zang - A Numerical Study of Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginia) Larvae Growth and Dispersal in Barataria Bay, Louisiana
Ogooluwa Adeagbo - Detangling the Elevated Sea-Surface pCO2 in a River-Dominated Continental Shelf Using a High-Resolution Regional Ocean Model
UFS Application - Land/Surface Models, Followed by Cross-Cutting – Data Assimilation
In-person attendees | Senate Chamber
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
This session will highlight priorities for land model development in the UFS to improve operational forecasts. Presentations will include better representations of key processes for capturing land-atmosphere interactions, coupling infrastructure, land model components, land data assimilation, and verification & validation tools. The session will then transition to presentations on data assimilation (DA), DA applications, innovative observing techniques, and coupled DA processes. Challenges in DA may also be addressed.
Speakers | Land/Surface Models
Michael Barlage - Facilitating Land Model and Data Assimilation Development With a Community Focus
Andrew Newman - UFS Forecast Model Evaluation and Improvement for S2S Hydrometeorological Prediction in the Western United States
Siwei He - Evaluating Snow and Soil Simulations in the Unified Forecast System (UFS) Short-Range Weather System
Cenlin He - Enhancing Snowpack Physics in the Noah-MP Land Surface Model
Myung-Seo Koo - Current Status and Plan of KIM/Noah-MP Coupled Model
Speakers | Data Assimilation
Zhaoxia Pu - Coupled Land-Atmosphere Data Assimilation Within the Joint Effort for Data Assimilation
Zhiquan (Jake) Liu - A Prototype of Convection-Permitting Data Assimilation System With Regional MPAS-JEDI: Hybrid-4DEnVar and Assimilation of Hourly ABI Radiances
Cory Martin - JEDI-Based Atmospheric Composition Data Assimilation Progress at NWS
Jeffrey Whitaker - Assimilating Real Observations With ML Model Emulators
3:30 pm | BREAK
3:45 pm | Emerging Technologies: AI/ML
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
Description | Science community members will present on emerging technologies in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Speakers |
David Harrison - An Evaluation of AI-Generated Global NWP Emulators in the NOAA HWT Spring Forecasting Experiment
Montgomery Flora - WoFS-Cast: A Machine Learning Model for High-Resolution Storm-Scale Weather Forecasting
Jorge Guerra - Toward Basic Characterization of Machine Learning Methods Applied to Computational Geophysical Flows
Sadegh Tabas - Training GraphCast with NOAA’s GDAS Reanalysis Data for Global Weather Forecasting
4:45 pm | Research to Operations (R2O) and Operations to Research (O2R): How Innovations Move Through the Funnel
Description | This session will provide an overview of the process for transitioning research innovations into operations (R2O2R). Presentations will touch on the roles of NOAA’s Testbeds and Proving Grounds (TBPGs), providing specific examples from two testbeds, aspects of engagement from the broader research community, and how NOAA supports engagement of the broader community and TBPGs.
| R2O-O2R for UFS Data Assimilation
Speaker | Thomas Auligné - Director, JCSDA
Presentation slides: PPT
Speakers |
| Supporting Model Design Decisions and Innovations via Model Hierarchies
Speaker | Christiane Jablonowski - Professor, University of Michigan
Presentation slides: PPT
| Joint Technology Transfer Initiative: Building the Bridge to transition Community-based Weather Research to the NWS Operations
Speaker | Chandra Kondragunta - Program Manager, JTTI
Presentation slides: PPT
| Developmental Testbed Center: Informing Earth System Model Development through Model Testing and Evaluation Solutions
Speaker | Louisa Bogar Nance - Director, DTC
Presentation slides: PPT
| The NOAA Testbeds & Proving Grounds: A Crucible for Transitions between Research & Operations
Speaker | Andrea J. Ray - Physical Scientist, NOAA/OAR/PSL, Hydrometeorological Testbed, & TBPGCC Chair
Presentation slides: PPT
6:15 pm | Conclude and Look Ahead
July 26, 2024
9:00 am | Welcome and Kickoff
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
MC | Alison Gregory, Community Engagement Specialist, Unified Forecast System (UFS)
Presentation slides: PPT
9:05 am | NOAA Data Assimilation Strategy
Description | This session will highlight NOAA's first Data Assimilation Strategy including its purpose, vision, and grand challenges.
Speaker | Daryl Kleist - Supervisory Physical Scientist, NOAA/NWS/NCEP/EMC
Presentation slides: PPT
9:15 am | Updates and Challenges for Data Assimilation
Description | This session will spotlight developments related to data assimilation.
Speakers |
Thomas Auligné - The Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration (JEDI): Status and Updates
Xu Lu - Hurricane Inner-Core Data Assimilation Upgrades for HAFSv2 and 2024 Real-Time Parallel Experiments
Yongming Wang - Recent Development of JEDI-Based Data Assimilation for GFS and RRFS at OU MAP Lab
Stelios Flampouris - Impact Assessment of the Tomorrow.io Microwave Sounder (TMS) Constellation
Jonathan Poterjoy - Nonparametric Data Assimilation Directions for the UFS: From Thunderstorms to Ice
10:45 am | Coffee Break / Land DA System Demo (Theatre Room)
In-person attendees | Theatre
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
Description | Participants can watch a demonstration of running the Land DA System.
Moderated by | Gillian Petro - User Support Team Lead, EPIC/STC
Presentation slides: PPT
11:15 am | Panel Discussion on Partnerships: How to Expand Our Community
In-person attendees | A&B Ballroom
Virtual attendees | Livestream Link
Description | This panel will discuss strategies for creating and implementing partnerships that expand the community.
Moderated by | Tamara Battle - Policy & Partnerships Lead, NOAA/OAR/WPO
Panelists |
Neil Jacobs - Chief Science Advisor for the Unified Forecast System (UFS), UCAR
Jamese Sims - Chief Executive Officer of Thee Anomaly, LLC
Alycia Triplett - Ph.D. Student, Howard University, NCAS-M II
Hendrik Tolman - Senior Advisor for Advanced Modeling Systems, NOAA/NWS/OSTI
12:00 pm | Debrief: Findings, Recommendations and Closing Statements
Description | For our final session, three panelists from EPIC, the UFS, and the UFS-R2O project will come together to reflect on our key findings and takeaways from the workshop.
12:30 pm | Adjourn
Training
Training 1 | SRW Application Training on AWS for New Users (Virtual Only)
Monday, July 22, 2024
8:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT
Join the EPIC Team for a virtual workshop focused on the Short-Range Weather (SRW) Application. This session is ideal for those looking to deepen their knowledge of the SRW Application through the use of a Mac or Linux-based operating systems (OS). Participants will learn step-by-step how to install and operate the SRW Application and how to leverage this powerful tool for their weather analysis and forecasting needs.
Objective | This workshop will help new users learn how to effectively install and use the Short-Range Weather (SRW) Application, on a Mac or Linux-based OS. Participants will receive practical guidance on setting up and navigating the application, allowing them to apply it confidently in their weather analysis and forecasting tasks.
Hosted via Google Meet for virtual attendees.
Training 2 | Graduate Student Training: Data and Visualization With Level 2 Git Instruction
Monday, July 22, 2024
8:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT
Join us to discover how to craft customized graphical products using UFS model outputs. You’ll also learn different ways to display geographical data overlaid with model fields. Data visualization tools will include wgrib2, pygrib, and Jupyter notebooks.
In the second part of our workshop, we dive into Level 2 Git training. This is perfect if you’re already comfortable with basic Git commands and using GitHub. We’ll focus on deepening your understanding of GitHub-based UFS repositories, managing your own remote and local repositories, and the ins and outs of contributing to the UFS repositories.
Objective | This training session is designed to equip users with the skills to explore various tools and start creating their own scripts for visualizing model fields. Participants will also deepen their understanding of local Git spaces, learn to edit code more effectively, and discover various ways to contribute to UFS repositories.
Limited to 60 in-person attendees. Hosted via Google Meet for hybrid and virtual attendees.
Training 3 | Weather Prediction with Google’s GraphCast AI Model
Monday, July 22, 2024
8:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT
Join us at UIFCW 2024 for a workshop featuring Google’s GraphCast, where we’ll dive into the role of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in weather forecasting. This session will demonstrate how the latest AI techniques may improve the accuracy and efficiency of weather forecasts. You’ll get a close look at how these technologies are being used today to enhance forecasting methods and aid decision-making. Whether you’re interested in AI, technological innovations or environmental science, this workshop offers a fantastic chance to discover how methods in weather forecasting are evolving. Come learn with us!
Objective | Introduce participants to Google’s GraphCast, demonstrating its application in improving weather forecasting through AI and machine learning techniques. Attendees will learn how this technology improves weather forecasting, making it more accurate and efficient, and how it helps industries make better decisions.
Limited to 150 in-person attendees. Hosted via Google Meet for hybrid and virtual attendees.
Abstract Details
Abstract submissions due by Friday, May 31, 2024.
This session will highlight the scientific updates, achievements, and challenges of the UFS SRW Application, including research, development, testing, and evaluation of the 3D Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis System (3DRTMA) and Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS).
This session will feature cutting-edge research regarding scientific updates, development, testing, and evaluation of applications based on the global coupled UFS MRW and S2S Applications, including:
- The next-generation Global Forecast System (GFS) for medium-range weather out to 16 days
- The Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) for subseasonal ensemble forecasts out to 45 days
- The Seasonal Forecast System (SFS)
- The UFS Atmospheric Rivers (AR) model
This session will feature cutting-edge research towards scientific updates, development, testing, and evaluation of the next-generation Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS).
In this session featuring cross-cutting components of the UFS, presentations will feature cutting-edge research on topics such as oceans and ecology, which impact multiple applications.
This session will feature priorities for land model development in the UFS to improve operational forecasts including better representations of key processes for capturing land-atmosphere interactions, coupling infrastructure, land model components, land data assimilation, and verification & validation tools, including evaluations of model physics at the process level. These and other land-related topics are encouraged.
In this session featuring cross-cutting components of the UFS, presentations will feature cutting-edge research on topics such as scale-aware physics, land physics, verification, and validation, which impact multiple applications.
In this session featuring cross-cutting components of the UFS, presentations will feature cutting-edge research on system architecture-related topics that impact multiple applications.
In this session featuring cross-cutting components of the UFS, presentations will feature cutting-edge research on topics such as dynamics and nesting, which impact multiple applications.
Data Assimilation (DA) is a critical component of Earth System Prediction. In this session, presentations will feature cutting-edge research on DA, DA applications, innovative observing techniques and coupled DA processes. Challenges in data assimilation may also be addressed.
With an eye towards the future, this session will feature presentations about cutting-edge research towards the development, testing, and evaluation of upcoming UFS applications, including but not limited to, coastal, marine, space weather, and air quality.
This session will feature presentations from science community members on emerging technologies in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
This session will feature presentations from students on community modeling.
Share your research, use case, or innovation with other community members during our poster session and networking mixer! Abstract submissions to the poster session are required.
Share your research, goals, and plans to achieve them through community modeling. Student abstract submissions to the student poster session are required.
Important Dates for UIFCW 2024
March 2024
- 1st: Registration Opens
- Workshop Agenda Announced
- Call for Abstracts and Abstract Submission Opens
May 2024
- 31st: Abstract Submission Closes
June 2024
- 22nd: Last Day to Book a Room via the Hilton Garden Inn Jackson/Downtown
- 30th: Last Day to Register for In-person Attendance
July 2024
- 22nd – 26th: UIFCW24
Stay Connected
For the latest updates on UIFCW24, including registration details, session schedules, and keynote speakers, please check back regularly. Join the conversation and become part of a growing community dedicated to advancing weather forecasting innovations.