-------- Original Message --------
357
NOUS41 KWBC 301846
PNSWSH
Technical Implementation Notice 11-49
National Weather Service Headquarters Washington DC
145 PM EST Fri December 30 2012
To National Weather Service (NWS) Offices
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Family Of Services (FOS) Subscribers
Other Customers Of NWS Aviation Forecasts
From Cynthia Abelmann
Chief, Aviation Services Branch
Subject: Graphical Turbulence Guidance To Be Updated effective
January 30, 2012
Note: The following changes have no impact on NOAA Weather
Wire Service Subscribers
Effective January 30, 2012, 1200 Coordinated Universal Time
(UTC), the NWS Aviation Weather Center in Kansas City, MO, will
update the Graphical Turbulence Guidance (GTG) product in
conjunction with the implementation of the Rapid Refresh (RAP)
model. Thus change impacts users as follows:
1. Resolution of the grid spacing will increase from 20KM
to 13KM.
2. As a result of increased resolution, the parameter Grid ID
(PDS OCTET 7), internal to the GRIB file, will change to 130.
For more information, see
http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/docs/on388/tableb.html
3. Additional forecast hours valid at 04,05,07,08,10 and 11
hours
This change will affect the following WMO headers for GTG:
WMO FLIGHT
HEADER LEVEL
----------- -----
YVW*14 KKCI FL450
YVW*15 KKCI FL440
YVW*16 KKCI FL430
YVW*17 KKCI FL420
YVW*18 KKCI FL410
YVW*19 KKCI FL400
YVW*20 KKCI FL390
YVW*21 KKCI FL380
YVW*22 KKCI FL370
YVW*23 KKCI FL360
YVW*24 KKCI FL350
YVW*25 KKCI FL340
YVW*26 KKCI FL330
YVW*27 KKCI FL320
YVW*29 KKCI FL310
YVW*30 KKCI FL300
YVW*32 KKCI FL290
YVW*33 KKCI FL280
YVW*34 KKCI FL270
YVW*36 KKCI FL260
YVW*38 KKCI FL250
YVW*39 KKCI FL240
YVW*41 KKCI FL230
YVW*43 KKCI FL220
YVW*45 KKCI FL210
YVW*46 KKCI FL200
YVW*48 KKCI FL190
YVW*50 KKCI FL180
YVW*53 KKCI 170
YVW*55 KKCI 160
YVW*57 KKCI 150
YVW*60 KKCI 140
YVW*62 KKCI 130
YVW*65 KKCI 120
YVW*67 KKCI 110
YVW*70 KKCI 100
ZVW*50 KKCI Composite
WHERE * = A = 00 HOUR FORECAST
* = B = 01 HOUR FORECAST
* = C = 02 HOUR FORECAST
* = D = 03 HOUR FORECAST
* = E = 04 HOUR FORECAST
* = F = 05 HOUR FORECAST
* = G = 06 HOUR FORECAST
* = H = 07 HOUR FORECAST
* = I = 08 HOUR FORECAST
* = J = 09 HOUR FORECAST
* = K = 10 HOUR FORECAST
* = L = 11 HOUR FORECAST
* = M = 12 HOUR FORECAST
The Graphical Turbulence Guidance graphics are computer-
generated four-dimensional forecasts of information related to
the likelihood of encountering atmospheric turbulence.
The product provides forecasts for the 48 contiguous United
States, much of Canada and Mexico, and their respective coastal
waters at flight altitudes from 10,000 MSL to FL450 only; it
does not provide forecasts from the surface to 10,000 ft. Users
should also be aware that turbulence is a highly dynamic
phenomenon and, in case of rapidly changing conditions, the
product may not accurately convey a significant hazard.
GTG may be used as a higher-resolution supplement to AIRMETs and
SIGMETs, but not as a substitute for the turbulence information
they provide. GTG-2 graphics are authorized for use as an
unrestricted, supplementary weather product. The GTG-2 does not
have the capability to be amended. See the definition of primary
and supplementary weather products below.
GTG is produced automatically from the 13 KM Weather Research
and Forecasting Rapid Refresh (RAP) model runs. GTG produces an
Analysis 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12-hour
Turbulence Forecast every hour in GRIB format. This product also
provides a composite field representing the maximum turbulence
value between 10,000 and 45,000 feet for each analysis and
forecast.
The GTG graphics suite is automatically produced with no human
modifications. Information on the graphics is determined from
observational data, pilot weather reports, upper air soundings,
satellite soundings, automated aircraft reports, and surface
weather reports, all of which are integrated with computer model
output.
On January 24, 2012, Graphical Turbulence Guidance output in
Gridded Binary (GRIB) format will be available through:
--NWS FTP servers at:
ftp://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/SL.us008001/DC.avspt/DS.fipgb
--The Family of Services (FOS) High Resolution Data Service and
Server Access Service
--Satellite Broadcast Network (SBN) NOAAPORT channel
To obtain sample gridded GTG data, contact:
Robert Sallee
Senior Software Engineer - Aviation Weather Center
Kansas City, MO 64153
816-584-7256
Robert.sallee@xxxxxxxx
If you have any questions regarding the new GTG product,
contact:
M. Pat Murphy
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
Aviation Weather Center
Kansas City, MO 64153
816-584-7239
michael.pat.murphy@xxxxxxxx
National Technical Implementation Notices are online at:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/notif.htm
$$