CI applications in model initialization

Discussions ongoing in the aviation forecast group are focusing on the utility of the cloud-top cooling rate and CI products in helping to initiate rapid-refresh models, such as the RUC of HRRR. Current efforts being tested this year include pushing radar reflectivity information into the models to help initialize the location of storms. A couple limitations of doing this are that the current radar reflectivities do not provide good information about updraft strength or growth in the future. The aviation forecast group is discussing the possibilities of using the CI products as a proxy for vertical development to help the models identify areas of new growth, and thus improve their short term forecasts. We all know that the current models have issues with their short term forecasts as they generally take some time to "spin up". This should be something we should look into in the future for collaborations within the model community.