The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service (NOAA/NWS), under its air quality program, the National Air Quality Forecast Capability (NAQFC), hosted the annual Air Quality Forecasters’ Focus Group Workshop on October 12-13, 2023.

The NAQFC develops and implements operational air quality (AQ) prediction models to provide AQ forecast guidance for forecasters employed by local and state agencies. These agencies disseminate the forecasts to the public through NWS Forecast Offices and other outlets. This annual workshop provides a unique opportunity for AQ forecasters to share their experiences as end users of model guidance with model developers and AQ researchers from NOAA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The purpose of the workshop is to review assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of the AQ model guidance, examine current model development and research initiatives, and use forecaster feedback to identify gaps and/or misalignment between model performance, current R&D initiatives, and forecasters’ needs.

The workshop was conducted in a hybrid format, with 76 total participants, including 24 in-person attendees. Representatives from each agency presented strategic perspectives and individual capabilities and performance assessments. Outcomes from the workshop included a list of user needs for specific forecast-guidance enhancements and development plans for known NOAA model deficiencies.
 

Read the full meeting summary here