OST Director Don Berchoff (seated) is briefed by NWS and NASA meteorologists on the SPoRT program (Photo: WFO Huntsville)
(Nov. 8, 2011) -- In an effort to learn more about the unique meteorological research and development being fused into National Weather Service operations, Don Berchoff, director of the NWS Office of Science and Technology, visited the Huntsville forecast office Nov. 1 to meet with NASA's Short-Term Prediction Research and Transition Center (SPoRT) group and NWS meteorologists.
Since 2003, the SPoRT program has been instrumental in helping transition weather research and observations into operational weather situations. From lightning detection to satellite observations, SPoRT helped create new operational products which have enhanced short term situational awareness and improved forecasts.
During his visit, Berchoff and his staff received briefings on current SPoRT activities and learned how SPoRT products are used in NWS operations. The Huntsville forecast office is collocated with NASA's National Space Science Technology Center at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
SPoRT Director Dr. Gary Jedlovec said the visit provided added incentive for their collaborative efforts, "Their excitement and enthusiasm about what we are doing has heightened motivation of the SPoRT team to aid forecasters in using cutting edge technologies to address their weather challenges."
For more information on the SPoRT Center program, visit: http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/sport/library/status/Jedlovec_SPoRT_overview.pdf.
A local field trip to the Madison County Emergency Operations Center in Huntsville also gave Berchoff and his staff a perspective on the strong relationships between the Huntsville forecast office and local emergency mangers.
