HDSS is a data integration and precipitation analysis package that encompasses weather radar, surface station, and satellite data acquisition, quality control and integration, as well radar mosaicking, Quantitative Precipitation Estimation and Forecasting (QPE/QPF) processing, flash flood prediction, hydrological modeling, and user friendly displays. HDSS is fully customized for each unique customer application. HDSS is used by operational decision makers to reliably predict hazardous weather phenomena such as heavy rains and total catchment rainfall accumulations.

HDSS was developed to support decision makers who  need to:

- predict flash floods and warn the public

- manage hydro-electric facilities

- forecast river and coastal flooding

- forecast urban drainage and runoff

The HDSS utilizes proven state-of-the-science algorithms which assimilate data from multiple sources to detect and predict past, current, and future precipitation amounts, including runoff and reservoir management through hydrological modeling components. Data and products produced by the HDSS are displayed in customized Web based applications. HDSS will consist of the following components:

• application of a Radar Data Quality Control (RDQC) algorithm for the removal of false echoes and artifacts in radar data
• application of a radar mosaic (compositing) algorithm to produce a high resolution three-dimensional grid from the quality controlled data
• utilization of this quality controlled radar mosaic integrated with other data sources to produce Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPE)
• utilization of this quality controlled radar mosaic within a radar reflectivity nowcasting algorithm to produce forecasts of radar reflectivity location and intensity, and Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF)
• an algorithm that combines QPE, QPF, and drainage basin information to provide predictions of flash floods, termed the Flash Flood Prediction Algorithm (FFPA)
• hydrological modeling to simulate watershed runoff, channel flow, reservoir operations, and urban runoff
• Web  based displays to view and manipulate all data and products customized to the specific user needs

The HDSS components being proposed for the implementation were developed by WDT or licensed from the US Government’s National Severe Storms Laboratory and McGill University located in Montreal, Canada, and the US Corps of Engineers.

For more information, contact Beth Clarke @ (405) 579.7675 x235

International Interest, contact:
Robert Rissland @ (703) 533.8555

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