Jonathan Brazzell San Angelo TX

 What we currently have works well.  Wind events from broken lines and brief tornadoes remain the biggest challenges.

 We are a little concerned about the wind farms that are going in very close to the radar sites.  Few problems thus far.  They are growing rapidly, so we may see future problems.  Beam blockage?  Velocity problems?  Problems with radar algorithms?

 Current setup helps forecasters to interpret radar information and work on polygon placement.  Lacks the configuration that the whole team can practice on. Developing listening skills while interpreting radar data in a warning environment is important to putting it all together.  Should be easier to play back saved off data for post event analysis and verification.

 Polygon puts more pressure on storm report location.  Need to be more specific in location. Entering LAT/LON helps. Where is 19 miles west of Ozona?  Should LSR’s go out to more than two decimal places? (± 0.6nm)  Spotters, chasers and others in the public are more equipped with GPS technology.  What if we could click on a radar image and enter a report. This may help to cut down on the poorly placed reports in the heat of battle.

Spotter report: 19 miles Northwest of Ozona Spotter report: 12 miles Southeast of Segovia

 The grid based MEHS should be a big help. We have been evaluating this using GR2AE and has shown encouraging results compared to the HDA.  Should help to reduce polygon/FAR area.  The more grid based guidance the better.

 Warning process should begin well before actual warnings are issued.  Strive to come up with better methods of communicating information.  Must be easy for the user to understand.  Communicate the level of uncertainty.  How extreme an event may be.  Expected impacts.

 Text?  Telephone?  Graphics?  Video?

 Prepared at least once a day and more often if there is an approaching event.  Graphics prepared in FSL’s FXC software in AWIPS and other sources.  Graphics imported into a Powerpoint presentation  Audio recorded within Powerpoint  Briefing produced within Camtasia software  Briefing uploaded to web

 Looking to reduce the number of steps involved and better compression techniques.  While keeping compliant with internet policy.

 One of the USATODAY Weather Guys blogged about the Multimedia Weather Briefing ( as_twisters.html) stating “it’s quite informative and very cool. Nice work, NWS San Angelo!” He went on to say “nice job with the easy to understand graphics. Appreciate the attempt to provide timing of the developing system as well as defining what will be the major threats during each time period.” as_twisters.html  Texas Department of Transportation officials stated that the Multimedia Weather Briefings were extremely useful to them in determining the timing of road treatments along Interstates 10 and 20 in West Central Texas during snow and ice events in the Winter

 A public school official said “we use this information to warn our teachers and students about the possibility of severe weather” and it is a “great advance warning system, especially for schools.”  An emergency manager from another part of the U.S. found the product while searching the web and commented that the product was superb and that “we all (NWS, fire/rescue, police, EMA, etc.) should prepare for the future with a modern mindset, and upgrade/modernize our systems to better serve the public.”

 A fire chief commented that he uses the Multimedia Weather Briefing to assist in the preparation of his storm spotters for severe weather and that it is also useful in evaluating the possibility of wildfires.  A TV meteorologist from another part of the U.S. found the product while checking the weather for Abilene, TX and commented “it makes everything clear and concise on what people want to know with the weather; and on-air meteorologists in your market can know what exactly you’re looking at. That way everyone is on the same page.”

 A university art instructor commented that the Multimedia Weather Briefing is used to support business and personal decisions such as firing a kiln and watering the yard. Additionally he commented “it gives me a better understanding of how to interpret the forecast while giving me a heads up on the possible variables – I don’t know of any other product that does this with such user friendly features.”

 Other comments on the survey included:  “Most people do not understand the sometimes complex forecasts NWS has on the website. This product provides information in a way most people will understand. It helps them visualize the weather forecast.”  “I work in an office without radio, and so I rely on my online computer for weather details. This is an excellent tool to brief people in an unobtrusive and high tech manner.”