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Hurricane Helene tests Hazard Services

Several NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Offices (NWS WFOs), including Charleston, SC (CHS) have been testing the latest version of Hazard Services for convective operations. The WFO issued 39 tornado warnings, 28 special marine warnings for waterspouts, and dozens of followup statements during Hurricane Helene. “We were really pleased with the performance of convective Hazard Services. Forecasters find it easy to use,” said WFO CHS Hazard Services Team lead and senior forecaster Steven Taylor.

Hurricane Helene taken from GOES 16, Image from of CIRA

Several NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Offices (NWS WFOs), including Charleston, SC (CHS) have been testing the latest version of Hazard Services for convective operations. The WFO issued 39 tornado warnings, 28 special marine warnings for waterspouts, and dozens of followup statements during Hurricane Helene. “We were really pleased with the performance of convective Hazard Services. Forecasters find it easy to use,” said WFO CHS Hazard Services Team lead and senior forecaster Steven Taylor.

As part of this test, the WFOs have weekly calls with the GSL Hazard Services development team, and the Office of Central Processing. “GSL has been able to add needed functionality thanks to the detailed feedback from the test sites like WFO CHS,” said GSL Hazard Services team lead Emily Schlie. “The interaction between forecasters and developers during these operational tests is invaluable to ensure national deployment later is as smooth as possible.”

Convective Hazard Services will continue to be tested at select offices until it is delivered to all sites scheduled for late 2025.

Last Update: November 26, 2024

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