X-Authentication-Warning: mother.comet.ucar.edu: majordu set sender to owner-allsoos@comet.ucar.edu using -f X-Sender: brad.colman@nsmail.wrh.noaa.gov Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 14:04:31 -0700 To: allsoos@comet.ucar.edu From: "Brad Colman" Subject: IFPS Science Steering Team (ISST) Cc: Brad.Colman@noaa.gov, Kevin.Schrab@noaa.gov, Andy.edman@noaa.gov, James.Partain@noaa.gov, Ken Waters , Dan.Smith@noaa.gov, Peter.Browning@noaa.gov, Kenneth.Johnson@noaa.gov, Vickie.Nadolski@noaa.gov, Jack.Hayes@noaa.gov, "Kevin Schrab" , Ken Waters , Eric Stevens , Peter Manousos , Mark Jackson , Laurence Lee , Dan Baumgardt , Bill Ward , Andy Patrick Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Spam-Status: No, hits=1.8 required=5.0 tests=SPAM_PHRASE_00_01,SUSPICIOUS_RECIPS version=2.41 X-Spam-Level: * X-Keywords: Dear NWS SOOs, We are writing to update you on recent actions that have taken place following the submission of our SOO IFPS White Paper late last year. The fact that we spoke as a group, and expressed a solid and convincing argument that there were real and immediate science issues related to IFPS, has made a difference. Our Regional and National management teams are eager to work with us to ensure the best possible implementation of IFPS occurs, albeit given obvious limitations and realities. Most notable is that at their March meeting, the Science and Technology (S&T) Committee of the NWS Corporate Board chartered the IFPS Science Steering Team (ISST). The committee's membership includes SOOs from all Regions and Kevin Schrab, facilitator, from OS&T. The primary charter for the committee is to collect and prioritize IFPS science related issues. Furthermore, it will define and refine these issues, explore alternatives for solving these issues, and recommend proper courses of action. The goal is to have the solutions endorsed by the S&T Committee and, when necessary, by the NWS Corporate Board. In some cases the solutions will be integrated into the Science and Technology Infusion Plan (STIP), NOAA budget process, and science outreach funding announcements. The team was formed in April (with Regional nominations) and first met at the WR SOO/DOH Workshop during the week of 5 May 2003. The WR workshop, which focused on science and technology issues relating to IFPS, served as a great opportunity to "jump-start" the team's activities. The members of the team are: Brad Colman (team leader Seattle WFO), Peter Manousos (backup team leader NCEP/HPC), Dan Baumgardt (La Crosse WFO), Mark Jackson (Salt Lake City WFO), Larry Lee (Greenville-Spartanburg WFO), Andy Patrick (Corpus Christi WFO), Eric Stevens (Fairbanks WFO), Bill Ward (Guam WFO), Ken Waters (Pacific Region HQ), and Kevin Schrab (facilitator NWSHQ Office of Science and Technology). In addition, the team will draw on subject matter experts from NOAA development labs and other research and educational institutions to aid in exploring alternatives and proposing solutions. Recognizing the urgency of some of these issues, Jack Hayes requested the ISST give a status report back to the S&T at their video conference held Wednesday of this week (with follow-on quarterly reports). With only a few weeks to work, the team gathered what were the most appealing and broadly supported actions discussed at the WR SOO Workshop and pushed those forward as a good starting point. We have attached the Powerpoint presentation that was used for this briefing. In it you will see that we made several specific recommendations related to: 1. using gaps (lulls) in the transmission rates of the SBN to send more NWP grids 2. a revision to the change management process that would allow new grids to be shipped more quickly(i.e., remove them from the AWIPS build schedule). 3. a few high priority enhancements to the GFE. In the future our plan will be to distribute our reports to you prior to them being formally presented to the S&T. We will make every effort to keep you informed and solicit your input as much as possible. If at any time you want to discuss anything related to IFPS science issues and concerns, you should feel free to contact your regional members, Kevin Schrab, or myself (Brad Colman). The IFPS Science Steering Team