• The Localized Aviation MOS Program (LAMP) system provides objective probabilistic and deterministic forecast guidance of sensible weather with a focus on guidance for aviation forecasting. The LAMP forecasts are available at stations in the United States (US). Gridded LAMP guidance for a number of forecast elements, including convection, lightning, ceiling height, and visibility, is also available on a 2.5-km grid covering the contiguous US.
  • IRIS is a web-based application to assist National Weather Service personnel in managing Impact-Based Decision Support Services (IDSS). IRIS integrates contact management, observation monitoring, impact management and alerting, and the generation of weather reports into a single application to assist NWS forecasters in providing effective IDSS to core partners. The IRIS system also supports the popular iNWS application that provides real time email and text message alerts to core partners for hazardous weather.
  • Model Output Statistics (MOS) is a type of statistical post-processing, a class of techniques used to improve numerical weather models' ability to forecast by relating model outputs to observational or additional model data.
  • The National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) is a suite of gridded forecasts of sensible weather elements (e.g., cloud cover, maximum temperature).
  • The National Blend of Models (NBM) is a nationally consistent and skillful suite of calibrated forecast guidance based on a blend of both NWS and non-NWS numerical weather prediction model data and post-processed model guidance.
  • Storm Surge is a change in normal tide levels caused by winds and atmospheric pressure associated with a storm.
  • The Verification Team of the Digital Forecast Services Division develops and maintains systems to collect and assess the quality of a variety of NWS public and aviation forecasts, including forecasts from the National Digital Forecast Database.
  • Decision Support: The synthesis, display, and manipulation of data and guidance from various sources to aid the Weather Forecast Offices (WFO), River Forecast Centers and National Centers forecasters and other users in interpreting the wealth of information available at the WFO.
  • AWIPS is the Advanced Weather interactive Processing System, which is used by NWS forecasters across the country to assist with most aspects of the forecasters' jobs, from producing official forecasts to issuing weather alerts to communicating meteorological information to partners and the public in usable ways.
  • The Probabilistic Forecast Visualization effort kicked off in 2017 with the Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) Viewer.
  • The Local Climate Analysis Tool (LCAT) is a web-based interactive statistical tool providing the most recommended data and climate analysis methods for application at regional and local levels.
  • The Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System (IMS) is an operational software package for analyzing snow and ice coverage.
  • Rip Currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore.

Welcome

Welcome to the Meteorological Development Laboratory (MDL)! MDL conducts applied research and development for the improvement of diagnostic and prognostic weather information; data depiction and utilization; warning and forecast product preparation and dissemination; forecast evaluation; and impact-based decision support services. Projects involve physical, dynamical, and statistical applications and tools implemented on NWS operational systems. Emphasis is placed on integrated suites of guidance and products for Weather Forecast Offices, River Forecast Centers, and National Centers, and NWS Core Partners.

Latest News

This image shows an example GLMP forecast for the probability of ceiling height <= 3000 ft from the 0000 UTC cycle on October 10, 2024, valid for the 15-minute period 0330-0345 UTC

MDL's Localized Aviation MOS Program (LAMP) and Gridded LAMP (GLMP) Upgraded at NWS

Dec 16, 2024

An upgrade to the Localized Aviation Model Output Statistics (MOS) Program (LAMP) and Gridded LAMP (GLMP) systems was implemented into NWS operations on Monday, September 30, 2024.  LAMP is a statistical system which provides forecast guidance for sensible weather elements  and updates the Global Forecast System (GFS)-based MOS on an hourly basis (every 15 minutes for C&V elements). The guidance is produced on the NOAA/NWS/NCEP Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputer System (WCOSS) and is disseminated centrally from NCEP.

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The primary goal of NWS Connect is to enhance the capability of NWS offices to deliver high-quality IDSS to partners consistently across the country.

NWS Connect Initial Operating Capabilities Released

Aug 01, 2024

We are excited to announce the release of NWS Connect, marking the first iteration of many to come! NWS Connect is a vital element of Ken's 10 Probabilistic IDSS (Impact-based Decision Support Services) Initiative. This empowers NWS core partners, such as emergency personnel and public safety officials, to make informed decisions when weather, water, and climate events impact the lives and livelihood of the American people.

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NBM v4.2 10-m Gust 75th percentile (kts), Init: Tue 2024-01-09 06z, F018 - Valid: Wed 2024-01-10 00z wind speed valid 0000 UTC 10 January 2024

National Blend of Models (NBM) Upgraded to Version 4.2

Jun 21, 2024

On May 15, 2024, NOAA upgraded the National Blend of Models (NBM) — a nationally consistent and calibrated suite of forecast products generated from combining numerical weather prediction and post-processed data —  to version 4.2 in operations. The upgrade includes a number of improvements to help forecasters improve the national gridded forecast including: new percentile and probabilistic sustained 10-meter wind and wind gust products, improved wind speed and gusts for “day-to-day” forecasts, better snow accumulation forecasts in environments with temperatures just above freezing, mitigation of lattice-like artifacts in winter weather output, reduction of erroneously high probabilities for freezing rain and improve snow forecasts over higher terrain.

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NDFD web display

NDFD web services go operational in Web Operations Center

May 08, 2024

The National Weather Service’s National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) produces weather, water, and climate digital forecast grids based on mosaics of forecasts from forecast offices and national centers. The NDFD Central Server creates and encodes national gridded datasets as GRIB2 files for dissemination via the NWS Telecommunications Gateway (NWSTG). Two key products of the NDFD include the Web Map Viewer and the XML Web Services. In April, the NOAA Web Operations Center began hosting NDFD Web Services that were formerly hosted by the NWS Internet Dissemination System. These services include full-resolution (up to 2.5km, hourly) maps and XML point web services for all operational and experimental NDFD forecast elements.

NWS Insider article on NDFD web services in the WOC»
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