Enhanced Graphical Forecast Area Discussion

[Mike Kovalchick]

Has anyone else seen this? Are other NWS offices going to use this format or is specific only to Seattle? (Graphical images inserted into text version of forecast discussion.)

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/gafd/latest_webafd.html

I like it! Looks like reading/deciphering Area Forecast Discussion's on Chase Day morning would go a lot faster if some of the forecast office's in the Plains used this.

 

[Chris Nuttall]

Many offices across the country already produce "Graphi-casts" or Graphical HWOs. OUN has several on their enhanced web site. AMA has a couple. Tulsa has a really interesting "Decision Support Page" that takes stuff straight from their gridded analysis. I know most of the EMs in the Tulsa area use that section pretty frequently.

Most of these are not inserted into the AFDs like Seattle did. Typically, they are pretty well captioned and easy to understand.

It's a nice addition and a good tool to get a quick glance of the situation. When it comes to explaining weather, a graphic can speak volumes. When combined with AFDs or HWOs, it makes for a good presentation with really useful information. It's just another way to get the point across.

I doubt this going to be a "specific format" adopted nationwide. It could happen, but I don't think it is right now. If it has been handed down that graphical stuff needs to be inserted, it seems it's been left up to the individual offices how exactly to implement them.