From: Bob Rozumalski <roz@comet.ucar.edu>
Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 14:55:26 -0500 (EST)
To: hualu.pan@noaa.gov
Subject: Response: AVN BUFR data needs

Greetings Hua-Lu,

I have summarized the suggestions/requests from the SOOs regarding
the AVN bufr data below.  You may get some additional input from
Eastern Region HQ, but I believe it will be similar to that from
the rest of the field.  I would like to thank both you and global 
modeling branch for your help and willingness to work with the field 
offices on this matter.


1.  The meteograms are rarely, if ever, used. In general, if the
    data are not easily available to the forecasters then they
    are not usually included as part of the forecast process.
    Moreover the ability to ingest bufr data into BUFKIT and
    Nsharp affords offices the opportunity to view indices
    and fields not available from the meteograms.

2.  Increasing the number and coverage of stations similar to that 
    of the NGM bufr data is great; however, the offices would 
    prefer the AVN use the same list as the Eta and RUC.  It is
    understood that having the same coverage as the Eta may have
    to wait until next year, but in the mean time a few station
    additions and changes may be necessary.  For example
    I suspect Alaska region  will want some stations added 
    and there was a request for MOS station locations.

3.  The consensus for temporal resolution seems to be hourly to
    48hrs and 3-hourly through the end of the AVN cycle. Ideally,
    the temporal frequency would mirror that of the Eta model though.
    Again, it is understood that resources limit what can be done
    before next year.

4.  Fields,  Not a lot was mentioned regarding the fields available
    in the AVN bufr files, although I suspect you will get requests
    once the forecasts start using the data.  

Regards

Bob

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Robert A. Rozumalski        NWS National SOO Science and	
                            Training Resource Coordinator

COMET/UCAR PO Box 3000      Phone:  (303) 497-8356
Boulder, CO 80307-3000      FAX:    (303) 497-8491

SOO/STRC Home Page: 
http://www.comet.ucar.edu/strc
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