VORTEX 2 Operations Center: Bridging the Gap between Research and Operations

1. VORTEX 2 Operations Center: Bridging the Gap between Research and Operations P. T. Marsh1,2,3, K. Scharfenberg4, K. Kelleher1, M. Coniglio1, L. J. Wicker1, J. Purpura5, S. Cobb6, M. Hudson7, M. Britt8, F. Glass8, K. Brown9, and C. Sohl9 1NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory ; 2University of Oklahoma Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies 3School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK ; 4NOAA/NWS Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services 5NOAA/NWS San Diego, CA ; 6NOAA/NWS Lubbock, TX ; 7NOAA/NWS Central Region Headquarters 8NOAA/NWS Saint Louis, MO ; 9NOAA/NWS Norman, OK Quotes from VOC Personnel • “…[On 19 May 2010, a NSSL Scientist and] I had some long and valuable discussions on topics such as the boundary layer character from clear air radar returns, three dimensional storm structure/evolution, and warning decision making.” -- Fred Glass, NWS Forecaster (LSX) Role of the VOC Photographs of the VOC During Operations • I hope the NWS is getting something out of this interaction, I know I am. • -- Comment from NSSL Researcher • I hope NSSL is getting something out of this interaction, I know I am. • -- Comment from NWS Forecaster • Maintain Situational Awareness • NAWIPS Workstation • GR2Analyst – “Fully Loaded” • NOAA HWT EFP & EWP Expertise • Bi-directional Information Conduit • NWS Chat • SASSI • Outreach • Media Interaction • Facebook & Twitter • Student Visits • Community Presentations VOC Coordinator, Patrick Marsh speaks at a press conference regarding the 10 May 2010 Central Oklahoma Tornado Outbreak The VORTEX 2 Operations Center was located in the Hazardous Weather Testbed in Norman, OK. VOC personnel take time to pose for a photograph after discussing V2 Research with students from a Minnesota High School V2 Supporting NWS Warning Operations Former Storm Prediction Center SOO, Bob Johns, performs a hand analysis of conditions A collection of damage photographs of the 10 May 2010 tornado observed by V2. The survey was performed by NWS Liaison, Steve Cobb, and Warning Forecaster, Mark Britt. NSSL Deputy Director, Kevin Kelleher (right), and NWS Liaison, Jim Purpura (middle), discuss V2 logistics in 2009. NSSL Scientist, Harold Brooks, and VOC Coordinator, Patrick Marsh, discuss the forecast on the morning of 5 June 2010 VOC personnel, Patrick Marsh (left) and Kevin Scharfenberg (right) analyze radar data on another busy V2 deployment VOC personnel, Chris Sohl (left) and Jenni Rauhala (right), analyze radar data on the afternoon of 5 June 2010 NWS Liaison, Mike Hudson, analyzes radar data while communicating with local NWSFOs An EF-4 tornado bears down on the armada on 10 May 2010. The black circles represent locations of V2 personnel VOC Coordinator, Patrick Marsh, analyzes radar data while communicating with the V2 armada