Objective:
Improve the resolution of risk maps; expand map commentary feature available to state specialists; and establish a collaborative project with the Canadian modeling team.

Approach:
The increase resolution of the risk prediction maps will be accomplished by using NOAA's National Weather Service national 5 kilometer hourly data set entitled, RTMA for Real-time Mesoscale Analysis as a source of model inputs. An open source software package "Durpal" will be used to develop tools that will enhance communication between disease experts and enable the disease specialist to provide commentary about the risk of disease and appropriate management of FHB for the 23 states currently involved in the disease forecasting effort. A collaborative effort with a DON modeling team in Canada has been established and a request for support to purse a modeling effort that should increase the accuracy of disease models and DON models in the near future.