Streamlining the graphical forecast process

The national meteorological services of Australia and the United States have followed similar paths in modernising production of their public weather forecasts during the past two decades. Both have adopted grid-based forecasts constructed by forecasters using a graphical forecast process. As gridded forecasting has matured, both have worked to achieve a more streamlined and standardised forecast process, so as to free up forecaster time for other activities such as decision support and a focus on high-impact weather, while increasing consistency in the gridded forecasts. We will describe the paths followed in Australia and the U.S., specifically in the U.S. National Weather Service Central Region, towards a more streamlined graphical forecast process. Although the journeys have been rather different, they have converged on similar solutions. A variety of lessons have been learned regarding how to achieve effective change in weather forecast production, through grassroots engagement and management support.