Radar Based Terminal Weather Systems Update Mark Weber

Radar Based Terminal Weather Systems Update Mark Weber MIT/Lincoln Laboratory 13 October 2004 MIT Lincoln Laboratory Radar Based Terminal Wx-1 Weber 12/17/2021

TDWR Measurement Capabilities Dry Microburst Wet Microburst Gust Front Buoyancy Waves >15. 0 First Echo 12. 5 10. 0 7. 5 5. 0 2. 5 0 -2. 5 -5. 0 Memphis International Airport -7. 5 -10. 0 -12. 5 Thunderstorm initiation along outflow boundary Gust Front -15. 0 Radar Based Terminal Wx-2 Weber 12/17/2021 MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Terminal Doppler Weather Radar • System availability continues to increase – • Processor modernization, antenna drive improvements, redundant communication lines Service improvement opportunities – Exploit increased computer capacity to improve data processing algorithms Demonstration at SLC in 2005 -2006 – Implement 0 -20 minute graphical thunderstorm nowcast – Facilitate external access to TDWR base data – Develop external user web site for product access Radar Based Terminal Wx-3 Weber 12/17/2021 MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS) · Improve safety Goals - Improved wind shear protection - Proactive avoidance of severe weather · Reduce Delay - Storm motion and forecasts - Adverse winds · Reduce controller workload - Shared situational awareness Provide weather information to air traffic automation systems User Identified Benefits · Higher departure rates during thunderstorms · Anticipating arrival and departure fix closure/reopening · Anticipating runway impacts and shifts · Higher arrival rates during adverse winds · Optimizing airline operations Radar Based Terminal Wx-4 Weber 12/17/2021 MIT Lincoln Laboratory

ITWS Production Web Radar Based Terminal Wx-5 Weber 12/17/2021 MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Integrated Terminal Weather System • 11 systems operational (7 production + 4 Lincoln prototypes) – 4 more production sites scheduled FY 2005 – Funding for total of 22 sites programmed • First planned product improvements underway – 1 hour Convective Weather Forecast – Dry microburst detection • Service Improvement Opportunities – Establish process and funding for regular algorithm enhancements Advanced capabilities developed by AWRP – Deploy to all TDWR equipped airports as originally planned Radar Based Terminal Wx-6 Weber 12/17/2021 MIT Lincoln Laboratory

ASR-9 Weather Systems Processor Sites Radar Based Terminal Wx-7 Weber 12/17/2021 MIT Lincoln Laboratory

ASR-9 Weather Systems Processor • 31 of 34 planned production sites operational – WSP availability at production sites has been high • Service improvement opportunities – Activate TWIP interface built into WSP – Develop external user web site for product access – Convene “users conference” to assess system performance on a national basis Guidance for future product enhancements Radar Based Terminal Wx-8 Weber 12/17/2021 MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Medium Intensity Airport Weather System (MIAWS) Sites Tower/TRACON Supervisor Display SD Pull-Down Menus Runway Arenas Storm Motion Vector Radar Based Terminal Wx-9 Weber 12/17/2021 Storm Position 10 & 20 Minute Extrapolation MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Medium Intensity Airport Weather System • Program terminated June 2004 – – • FAA Executives felt that combination of LLWAS-RS and ASR-11 weather channel provide adequate service Prototypes at Springfield, MO and Jackson, MS will continue to operate until ASR-11 is deployed Low cost “network-enabled” MIAWS service to be demonstrated in FY 2005 – High resolution regional thunderstorm nowcasts generated by Corridor Integrated Weather System (CIWS) – Small terminal displays access CIWS products using System Wide Information Management (SWIM) “publish/subscribe” technology Radar Based Terminal Wx-10 Weber 12/17/2021 MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Summary • Key accomplishments during the last year – TDWR availability and data/product quality improvements – Additional ITWS systems in operation and planned product improvements underway – WSP essentially fully deployed • Ongoing needs – Increased non-ATC user access to products from these systems – Continue to enhance data and product quality through structured product improvement process Radar Based Terminal Wx-11 Weber 12/17/2021 MIT Lincoln Laboratory