This release contains 2 new storm surge products. This video provides a comparison of the products to help you understand when they can best be used. Complete release notes are below.
Storm Surge
Potential Storm Surge (Via the National Hurricane Center)
Data Product Group: Baron API
Update Period: Every 6 hours
NHC Potential Storm Surge forecasts the potential depth of surge above ground level at a resolution as high as 30 meters. Issuance will typically be within 48 hours of tropical storm force winds reaching land. NHC Potential Storm Surge forecasts are only available for sections of a coastline being impacted by a storm. This is a reasonable worst-case scenario, with the values being representative of only a 10% chance of surge exceeding that forecast height above ground level.
Qrisq Storm Surge
Data Product Group: Tropical
Update Period: Every 6 hours
The Qrisq Storm Surge product forecasts the potential depth of surge above ground level at a resolution of 1km. This forecast is based off the ADCIRC Ocean Circulation Model, which takes a multitude of considerations into account, including a high-resolution model wind field. Qrisq Storm Surge forecasts are issued 5 days in advance of landfall and will cover the entire U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coastlines. You must display the Qrisq logo when using this product. The Qrisq logo will be added to your Graphics>Logos folder in Lynx during the upgrade.
This chart provides a further comparison of the NHC Storm Surge and Qrisq storm surge products.
| Parameter | NHC Storm Surge | Qrisq Storm Surge |
| Forecast Initiation | 48 hours prior to landfall | 5 days prior to landfall |
| Update Frequency | Every 6 hours | Every 6 hours |
| Domain | Select basin near NHC forecast landfall | Entire U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coastlines |
| Model | SLOSH | ADCIRC |
| Track Input | NHC | NHC |
| Wind Inputs | Pressure derived wind inputs within the SLOSH domain through 3 days | 600k data points at 15- minute time steps through 5 days |
| Display Resolution | As high as 30 meters | 1km |
| Surge Height | Maximum surge possible above ground level | Maximum surge possible above ground level |
API Products
Lynx now has the capability to display high-resolution products from the Baron API. To load Baron API data in Lynx, select the data dropdown menu under the Creation tab, select Baron API, and choose the product you want to use. Products delivered via the Baron API cannot be modified.
Global Tropical Track Forecasts
Data Product Group: Baron API
Update Period: As issued
Tropical storm tracks from the National Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center that will be valuable for monitoring tropical events outside of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Forecasts are for a tropical cyclone’s path and intensity for the next 5 days.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
Data Product Group: Baron API
Update Period: Every 20 minutes
Resolution: 10km
A current view of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature. This product is closely related to heat index and useful for determining the impact high temperatures could have on human health as well as industries such as agriculture.
UV Index Forecast
Data Product Group: Baron API
Time Step: 1 hour
Update Period: Once a day
Resolution: 54km
A global 120-hour forecast for surface UV Index. The forecast updates once a day and has time steps of 1 hour for a 120-hour forecast. The UV Index is an international standard measurement of the strength of sunburn producing ultraviolet radiation.
Hi-Res Road Conditions
Data Product Group: Baron API
Update Period: Every hour
Resolution: 1km
Near real-time road conditions at 1km resolution that includes flooded, slippery, patchy ice, ice, snow, and heavy snow conditions.
NHC Data
Hurricane and Tropical Wind Speed Probabilities
Forecast Model: NHC
Update Times: Every 6 hours
Probabilities for hurricane wind speeds, tropical storm wind speeds, and 50-knot wind speeds are available to create animations for periods up to 120 hours. The data comes directly from the National Hurricane Center and is valuable for determining the likelihood of these events. This data will only be available when there are active tropical systems.
Baron Model Data
Baron Model 15k Wind Gusts
Forecast Model: BARONMODEL15K
Atmospheric Level: Surface
Resolutions Available: 15km
Time Step: 15 minutes
Wind gust data is now available in the Baron 15k model. This data will be most valuable during tropical activity or any severe weather event.
