Story Maps

Building a Fire-Ready Nation: A Story Map by GSL and the NOAA Weather Program Office

NOAA is investing toward improved forecast models, advanced decision support capabilities, and construction of new mobile laboratories to deploy to active fires.

By helping build and deploy new observing systems, advance high-resolution forecast models, and accelerate the transition of experimental products to operations, BIL’s investment in NOAA’s fire weather research will help ensure that NOAA continues to build a Fire-Ready Nation.

Read the full story map about how NOAA is Building a Fire-Ready Nation

Forecast Verification for Denver International Airport - by Caroline Schwab, GSL NOAA Hollings Scholar

A new study led by GSL Scientists investigates the skill of various forecasting tools in predicting severe winter weather

Aviation managers are often faced with many forecasting options to help make decisions. In winter, these forecasts are used to decide which snow alert level to declare and when to declare it. Snow alerts have significant impacts for airport operations, and for the customers who rely on them.

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Impacts of NOAA GSL research - Camp Fire of 2018 - by Caroline Schwab, GSL NOAA Hollings Scholar

How NOAA GSL's experimental smoke forecasting system saved lives and set the path for improved decision-making

With the onset of climate change and global warming, extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common. The Camp Fire of 2018 is a devastating example. The Camp Fire is the deadliest and most destructive in California's history. It claimed 88 lives and wiped out the town of Paradise, CA.

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Impacts of NOAA GSL research: Power Lines - by Caroline Schwab, GSL NOAA Hollings Scholar

How GSL's HRRR weather model helps refine Dynamic Line Ratings for power lines, optimizing energy capacity and distribution

Power grids are lifelines that deliver energy to our homes, businesses, schools and beyond. The amount of power that can flow through (known as a line rating ) is meticulously planned and must fit a threshold in order to avoid risk of damage and fires. The line rating has major implications for energy efficiency. GSL’s HRRR weather models are becoming an important piece in planning Dynamic Line Ratings, maximizing energy distribution along power lines.

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Impacts of NOAA GSL research: Wind forecasts and energy savings - by Caroline Schwab, GSL NOAA Hollings Scholar

How NOAA's Rapid Refresh wind forecasts result in $150 million in energy savings each year and pave the way for other renewables

There are over 70,000 wind farms in the United States. These farms, scattered from the east to west coast, contribute substantially to the country's efforts to use clean and renewable energy. The average single wind turbine generates 843,000 kWh each month , which is enough energy for more than 940 homes. There are on average 150 turbines per farm, meaning one farm can power over 140,000 homes.

Impacts of NOAA GSL research: Wind forecasts and energy savings

NOAA GSL Research to Operations - by Caroline Schwab, GSL NOAA Hollings Scholar

How GSL's research develops tools that support the weather decision-making process

GSL's history was forged in developing tools to support the weather decision-making process. Development began in the 1980's with the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) for NWS. These tools are still being developed with incremental deployments of GSL's Hazards Services. GSL's research is also the foundation of NOAA numerical weather prediction (NWP). GSL has become a world leader in the development of storm-scale to global-scale weather prediction models.

Read the full story map about NOAA GSL's Research to Operations work

International Expansion of NOAA GSL's Graphical Forecast Editor - by Caroline Schwab, GSL NOAA Hollings Scholar

How GSL research solutions are extending across the world

Since 2021, scientists in the Global Systems Laboratory have been collaborating with nations across the globe to extend and implement the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS2) and its associated tools, Hazard Services (HS) and the Global Forecast Editor (GFE). This collaboration helps to bolster forecasting operations abroad, in countries such as Australia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

Read the full story map about NOAA GSL's Graphical Forecast Editor

Smokehouse Creek, GSL and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - StoryMap written by Hollings Intern Rae Machado, with guidance from mentors Susan Cobb and Eric Hackathorn.

In recent years, wildfire seasons in the United States have had devastating effects across the United States. Between 2020 and 2023, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported 243,503 wildfires that burned over a cumulative 27.5 million acres. Additionally, The Fifth National Climate Assessment found that drier and warmer weather due to climate change could continue the ongoing trend of longer and more severe wildfire seasons.

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The Current State of Heat Awareness in Jackson, Mississippi - By MaKenna Collins

Jackson, Mississippi is constantly impacted by extreme heat. Increasing temperatures and more frequent heatwaves bring health and environmental challenges to Jackson residents. Understanding the impacts of extreme heat requires taking a look beyond meteorological data and toward the historical and socioeconomic data that shapes the "City with Soul" today. Jackson's history has created an environment where extreme heat disproportionately affects the most vulnerable residents and socioeconomic factors exacerbate these impacts.

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