Workshop Background:
The National Air Quality Forecast Capability (NAQFC) program was created by the National Weather Service (NWS) in 2004 to provide numerical forecast guidance for state and local Air Quality (AQ) forecasters nationwide. The NWS Office of Science and Technology Integration (OSTI) Modeling Program has conducted AQ Forecasters Focus Group Workshops nearly every year since 2018.

Workshop Objectives:
The objectives of these periodic workshops are to

• assess the strengths and weaknesses of the AQ model (AQM) output as real-time forecast guidance for state and local AQ forecasters,
• critically 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.

Desired Outcomes:
The desired outcomes of this year’s workshop include

• Cultivation of interactions and collaborations between AQM developers and the end-users of operational AQM guidance
• Development and/or refinement of strategic initiatives to continually improve the skill and value of AQM guidance
• Forecaster input on long-term NWS initiatives related to AQM guidance, such as probabilistic Impact-Based Decision Support Services (pIDSS) and subseasonal to seasonal AQ prediction.

When/Where:
The 2025 workshop (to be held at the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction in College Park, Maryland, with a hybrid format), is scheduled for January 15-16, 2026.

Pending the availability of funds, we hope to provide travel support for 8 - 10 AQ forecasters through our partner, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)/Research Applications Laboratory (RAL), to support in-person participation. If interested in travel support, please respond accordingly in the registration form.

For questions please contact Youngsun Jung, Air Quality Program Manager at youngsun.jung@noaa.gov or Jason Anderson, Air Quality Program Coordinator at jason.r.anderson@noaa.gov . We look forward to your participation in the workshop.

Event Timing: To be announced

Event Address: NOAA Center For Weather and Climate Prediction (NCWCP), 5830 University Research Ct, College Park, MD 20740
(virtual meeting via Google meet; details provided later)

Registration Deadlines:

Virtual: Sept 30th
In-Person: Closed

NCWCP Venue Information Identification:
Please bring a government issued identification, such as a Passport or a REAL ID compliant driver's license.

Address:
NCWCP
5830 University Research Court
College Park, Maryland 20740

Parking:

• Please enter at the security gate, using right-most lane closest to the guard house.
• Be prepared to show a form of identification.
• Proceed to the undercover parking garage (see below map). Parking is free.
• Park on the 2nd and/or 3rd level of the parking garage.
• Use the visitor entrance in the front of the building and show identification at security.

Lunch: The Kloud Cafe is available onsite, via a separate entrance from outside. Lunch/drinks/snacks can be purchased there.
Preorder Here

Group Dinner:There will be an optional group dinner on Thursday, October 16, details to follow.