Feature Tracking in TempestExtremes: Automated Detection and Characterization of Extreme Weather

TempestExtremes is a growing collection of detection and characterization algorithms for large climate datasets, leveraging C++ for rapid throughput and a command line interface that maximizes flexibility of each kernel. The tracking kernels in this package have been already used for tracking and characterizing tropical cyclones, extratropical cyclones, monsoonal depressions, atmospheric blocks, atmospheric rivers, and mesoscale convective systems. Postprocessing operators are also available for extracting information from tracked objects, including extent of extreme winds, feature size, storm-driven precipitation, translation speed, and distance tracked. By considering multiple extremes within the same framework, we can study the joint characteristics of extremes while minimizing the total data burden. Here we present some of the key technologies and capabilities of this framework, and give several examples of its use in advancing the science of extreme weather.