William P. Roeder

Mr. William P. Roeder


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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6 April 2019 in Remote Sensing
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BMBruno Medina
Bruno Medina
Lawrence CareyLawrence Carey
Lawrence Carey
CACorey G. Amiot
Corey G. Amiot
RMRetha M. Mecikalski
Retha M. Mecikalski
WRWilliam P. Roeder
William P. Roeder
RBRichard J. Blakeslee
Richard J. Blakeslee
The United States Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron provides wind warnings, including those for downbursts, at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center (CCAFS/KSC). This study aims to provide a Random Forest model that classifies thunderstorms’ downburst and null events using a 35-knot wind threshold to separate these two categories. The downburst occurrence was assessed using a dense network of wind observations around CCAFS/KSC. Eight dual-polarization radar signatures that are hypothesized to have physical implications for downbursts at the surface were automatically calculated for 209 storms and ingested into the Random Forest model. The Random Forest model predicted null events more correctly than downburst events, with a True Skill Statistic of 0.40. Strong downburst events were better classified than those with weaker wind magnitudes. The most important radar signatures were found to be the maximum vertically integrated ice and the peak reflectivity. The Random Forest model presented a more reliable performance than an automated prediction method based on thresholds of single radar signatures. Based on these results, the Random Forest method is suggested for continued operational development and testing.