The Technical Support Branch (TSB) provides support for TPC's assorted information
systems, maintains an array of computer forecasting models, produces a small number of
operational and nonoperational products, and develops new tropical cyclone and tropical
weather prediction techniques. TSB also assists the operations of
NHC and TAFB by providing
personnel, meteorological and data support.
TSB is composed of a Branch Chief, a Science and Operations Officer (SOO), the Techniques
Development and Applications (TDAU) and Storm Surge Units, a Computer Support Group (CSG) and
Computer Specialists, Electronics Technicians, several contractors and a liason for FIU and NWS
projects. TPC's System Administrator, Webmaster, and Y2K Program Manager are drawn from this staff.
Information systems supported by TSB include communications hardware and a network of PC's,
UNIX servers and x-terminals used for the ingest, processing, and display of satellite imagery
and other data, as well as for the production and distribution of various
NHC and TAFB products.
GOES satellite imagery is ingested
directly from the GOES 8 (.JPG) and
GOES 10 (.JPG) satellites, while
METEOSAT (.JPG) data and polar
orbiting imagery are obtained via land lines. The
Man-computer Interactive Data
Access System (McIDAS) satellite data processing system is used to view and manipulate
this imagery. NCEP Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (N-AWIPS) workstations
running GEMPAK scripts process and display model output, aircraft observations from
Air Force Reserve
and
NOAA reconnaissance missions, and conventional
meteorological station, ship and buoy data. Radar data from the WSR-88D system is treated
independantly using four Principal User Processors (PUPs). Finally, TSB was instrumental
in the creation and continued development of the Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecasting (ATCF)
system, used to incorporate various data and model outputs and to generate forecasts.
TSB maintains a number of statistical and dynamic models used in predicting both
hurricane behavior and associated weather conditions. An assortment of
track and intensity forecast models provide information
about the direction and strength of each individual storm. These include
the statistical NHC90/NHC91 track forecast
models, the dynamical Beta and Advection (BAM) and barotropic
hurricane track forecast models (VICBAR, LBAR), and the
Statistical Hurricane Intensity Prediction Scheme (SHIPS).
Given the strength of a storm approaching from seaward, the Maximum Envelope Of Winds
(MEOW) model assists inland wind forecasts, and the
Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) model details the penetration of
floodwaters inland. TSB also evaluates the computer intensive dynamical models run
at NCEP, and provides feedback for improvement of
prediction in tropical regions.
TSB operational products include large-scale analyses of tropical upper- and lower-level
winds and storm surge predictions for landfalling tropical cyclones. Storm surge atlases,
prepared in advance by TSB's Storm Surge Unit, are used
by county emergency managers to develop evacuation plans.
The latest versions of publically available TSB operational products may be found
on the Forecast Products page. This NHC/TPC
Website and its text-only counterpart, officially
nonoperational products, are produced and maintained by TSB staff as a service to the public.
TSB is responsible for developing new techniques for tropical cyclone and tropical weather
prediction. TSB's Science and Operations Officer is directly involved in the development of
new forecasting techniques.
Members of TSB's Techniques Development and Applications Unit are charged with
developing WSR-88D radar applications for tropical cyclones and new techniques for NOAA
reconnaissance aircraft (268K GIF)and other platforms.
Several TSB members serve as reserve NHC Hurricane Specialists
when additional manpower is required. TSB Computer Specialists and the Computer Support Group
maintain the TPC 24 hour operational data flow. TSB also provides technical training for NHC
and TAFB operational personnel.
![[NCEP Logo]](graphics/ncep.gif)
