What’s Happening Now
New Surface Files Converter
*HOT* Don’t forget, if you have to process meteorological data with AERMET 24142, we have released Surface Files Converter that can convert GHCN formatted surface data (which cannot be read by AERMET 24142) into ISHD formatted surface data (which can be read by version 24142). This is now out and is freely available to all BEEST users in current maintenance. Contact us for a coupon code and then you can download it from https://www.providenceoris.com/product/surface-files-converter/.
EPA News
EPA’s 2026 Regional/State/Local (RSL) Modelers Workshop will be held July 14-16, 2026. There will be a stakeholder/public session on the afternoon of July 14, but it will be virtual/on-line only. Click here for more information and to register for the workshop.
Our understanding is that EPA will be releasing the 2026 AERMOD Modeling System updates prior to the workshop (hopefully by July 4). As always, as soon as EPA releases new versions of AERMOD, AERMET, etc, we will incorporate them into BEEST ASAP!
Conferences and Workshops
AWMA Specialty Conference – Guideline on Air Quality Models: From Guidance to Practice– It’s back! The latest in a series of dispersion modeling conferences sponsored by AWMA is coming to the Hilton Durham near Duke University in Durham, NC October 13-15, 2026. For more information on the conference, go here.
CAPCA Fall Meeting – The fall meeting of the Carolinas Air Pollution Control Association (CAPCA) will be October 21-23, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. For more information on the conference, including lodging, registration, and exhibiting, go to https://www.capca-carolinas.org/fall-2026.
If your company, organization, agency, State, etc. has an upcoming modeling or air quality-related event (virtual or otherwise) and you’d like it publicized in Providence/Oris Notes, please send that information to us at info@providenceoris.com, and we’ll be happy to include it.
Providence Products
Simply the best!
BEEST Suite
*HOT* BEEST 12.14 is coming out very soon!
This update includes:
• Ability to find a receptor network in Show Current Data Graphically
• Ability to generate special grid receptors based on a selected fenceline
• Ability to assign all sources inside a selected fenceline to a source group
• Ability to create a line of point sources
• Ability to create a line of area sources
• An updated version of MAXDCONT Viewer
• An updated version of WINDROSE
• Updated File -> Import and File -> Export menus
• Plus, several bug fixes
This version will be released in early July.
After EPA releases its AERMOD system updates, we will incorporate those new executables into BEEST 12.15.
As always, users in maintenance can download the most recent version of BEEST from https://www.providenceoris.com/software-downloads/.
“Go BEEST Mode !” We still have plenty of Go BEEST Mode t-shirts! You can request one of those by emailing us at info@providenceoris.com.
These stylish shirts seem to be very popular among the modeling community: Go BEEST Mode
AerScreen for Windows
AerScreen for Windows 5.02 is now out! This version includes these features:
• Fixed bugs with entering values for flare sources in English units
• Corrected unit conversion and labels for Heat Release Rate
• Corrected unit conversion and labels for Heat Loss Fraction
• Updated keyboard shortcut for exiting AerScreen for Windows to Ctrl + Q
Users in maintenance can download the most recent version of AerScreen for Windows from https://www.providenceoris.com/software-downloads/.
AERMOD Wizard
*HOT* AERMOD Wizard 1.10 is now out! New features in it include:
• AERMET 24142 and AERSURFACE 24142 now supported
• Ability to export circles (e.g., 10km radius circle about a monitor) to Google Earth
• New download routine for Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) upper air data
• Updated ambient air data (EPA data through November 24, 2025)
• Added an option for specifying thresholds for NEI sources on the Options form
• PM2.5 annual NAAQS and SIL updated in MERPs Analysis form
We presented a webinar on AERMOD Wizard 1.10 and its new features on April 8, 2026. If you missed it, you can click here to view it.
We are currently working on AERMOD Wizard 1.11, which will include, among other things, a new download routine for GHCN surface meteorological data.
Users in maintenance can download the most recent version of AERMOD Wizard from https://www.providenceoris.com/software-downloads/.
We’re off to use the Wizard!
If you have suggestions for an enhancement to any of our modeling software products, please let us know and we’ll do our best to incorporate it into the software ASAP!
Modeling Tip of the Month
As we mentioned above, our new Surface Files Converter utility can be used to read in Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN)-formatted surface meteorological data and write out the surface data in Integrated Surface Hourly Database (ISHD) format. This is because the current version of EPA’s AERMET program cannot read/process GHCN-formatted data. The Surface Files Converter program is easy to set up and run. After clicking/opening Surface Files Converter, you go to the Help menu to help start the process:
Several drop-downs appear, including the User Manual, GHCN Download, GHCN Documentation, ISHD Documentation, and the ISHD Station List.
The User Manual walks the user through the data download and conversion process. The basic process is:
1. Open the ISHD Station List and search for the station name to find the WBAN identifier.
2. After finding the WBAN ID, go to Help | GHCN Download, which opens the GHCN-hourly data website.
3. Click the first link in the Download Data section (NCEI Direct Download (Dataset Files):
- :
4. In the search bar on the upper right, enter the year you want:
5. Click the year when it pops up, then click the “psv” (pipe-separated value) link
6. After the /psv directory loads, go back to the Search bar (upper right-hand corner) and type in the WBAN identifier you found in the ISHD Station List.
7. Click the filename on the left to download the psv formatted surface data file. After the GHCN data set is downloaded, you can proceed to run the Surface File Converter program.
8. On the main program screen, go to the Setup tab and, under Select the GHCN file, click the Browse button. Browse to where you saved the GHCN file, select it and click Open.
9. Under the Select the ISHD file field, click File, browse to where you want the converted file to reside, and type in the name you wish to call it.
10. After the GHCN and ISHD fields are filled, you are now ready to convert the data. Click the Run tab at the top and then click Convert.
Providence Training
Modeling skills ready for an upgrade? We can help!
We want to note that many folks use our classes as credit toward professional engineer continuing education requirements. Check with your state’s licensing board or the National Society of Professional Engineers (see here or here) for more information on what is required.
AERMOD Modeling for Permits
Our next AERMOD Modeling for Permits class of 2026 will be August 18-19, 2026, and it will be online. If you want to get started in air modeling, then this class is for you! If you want to register, please click here.
Advanced AERMOD
Our next Advanced AERMOD class is slated for August 20-21, 2026, and it will also be online.
Advanced AERMOD covers those topics that are near and dear to modelers, such as:
• NAAQS modeling for 1-hour NO2, 1-hour SO2, and 24-hour PM2.5 (including the new MAXDCONT Viewer)
• Meteorological data processing with AERMET/AERMINUTE/AERSURFACE
• Culpability Determination
• Background Concentrations
• Emission scalars and Hourly Emission Rate files
• Changes in Terrain Data Processing and
• AERMOD Wizard and its uses
To register for Advanced AERMOD, please click here.
*NEW* Modeling for Non-Modelers – Given the importance that modeling plays in demonstrating compliance, we think that all stakeholders of the air quality permitting team (client/applicant, permit application preparer, modeler, attorney, etc) need to have a basic understanding of air quality modeling. Do you know a manager, an attorney, or a client who knows just enough about dispersion modeling to be dangerous? Wouldn’t it be better if that person knew enough about dispersion modeling to understand the basic modeling process and regulatory drivers, knew how to interpret modeling results, and knew when it was necessary to bring a modeling expert into the decision-making process? If so, our Modeling for Non-Modelers class is for them. This 1-day class doesn’t get into the nitty gritty of setting up and running the model, but it does familiarize students with enough of the process so that they can make informed decisions when it comes to dispersion modeling.
This year’s edition of our Modeling for Non-Modelers class has been set for Thursday September 17, 2026 and will be presented online. Click here to register.
Just as a reminder, if you register more than 30 days before your training class(es), you will receive a $100 discount on the course fee (per class, per registrant).
2026 Class Dates
Here are all of our remaining training class dates for 2026:
Don’t forget, if our schedule of classes doesn’t mesh with your schedule, or if you have several people that need to be trained at once, contact us about setting up your own onsite or online class. Have laptop, will travel! (including virtually)
Providence Services
BeestXpress
**BeestXpress runs AERMOD 24142**
If you’ve never used our super-fast cloud-based BeestXpress before, now is the time. We have an on-demand webinar that steps you through the process of setting up an BeestXpress account and sending off your first BeestXpress run. You can view the webinar here. New BeestXpress users can complete their first run with up to 50 partitions absolutely FREE. Instructions about receiving the free run are given at the end of the webinar. Beyond the starter run BeestXpress will give you a per-run cost estimate before you begin. If you need help budgeting for BeestXpress, contact us for additional daily rate pricing options.
*HOT* BeestXpress has now processed over 800,000 AERMOD runs. WOW!!
BeestXpress users can log on at www.beestxpress.com to take advantage of our AERMOD “force multiplier”. That AERMOD run that might have taken a day or two to process on your desktop computer can finish in an hour or less on BeestXpress. When time is money, BeestXpress is the best modeling return on investment there is!
Meteorological Data Processing Services
Do you need AERMOD-ready meteorological data? If so, we can help! Whether it’s running national weather service data or onsite monitor met data through the AERMET/AERMINUTE system, Providence has the background, know-how, and experience to have your data processed and ready for you ASAP. If you’d like more information, contact us at info@providenceoris.com or jamesred@providenceeng.com.
Consulting Solutions
One thing that we’re very proud of is the depth and range of our modeling experience and expertise. The kinds of air quality models we’ve used include all types, ranging from simple screening tools like SCREEN and AERSCREEN to plume models like ISC and AERMOD. The types of analyses include basic Significant Impact Level, NAAQS, PSD increment consumption, Class I analyses, air toxics and SIP attainment demonstrations. So, we’ve seen it all. To that end, should you or your clients need additional modeling assistance or just a second set of eyes to QA or peer review your modeling (ranging from initial protocol up to final submission), we stand ready to help. Feel free to contact us at 512‑258‑8855, 828‑628‑0634 or info@providenceoris.com.
OR . . . maybe you just need advice about a particular project OR you need someone to do a QA review, OR you have a very small modeling task to complete. It would be too much of a hassle to set up a contract for just a few hours of work. What to do?
Easy! Now you can purchase individual air modeling consulting hours with a credit card online through our website! Just contact us first so we’re on the same page about the scope and schedule. Go to https://www.providenceoris.com/product/1-hour-of-expert-air-modeling-consulting/
For clarity, this small-job purchasing option is for air modeling consulting only. Software customers may receive help from us at any time for software-related issues at no cost (this is included in the maintenance fees). Recent trainees may also call to ask us training-related questions at no cost.
Calendar
EPA Regional/State/Local Modelers Workshop – Public Session
July 14, 2026
Online
AERMOD Modeling for Permits
August 18-19, 2026
Online
Advanced AERMOD
August 20-21, 2026
Online
Modeling for Non-Modelers
September 17, 2026
Online
AWMA Specialty Conference – Guideline on Air Quality Models; From Guidance to Practice
October 13-15, 2026
Durham, NC
CAPCA Fall Meeting
October 21-23, 2026
Myrtle Beach, SC
Our complete class schedule can always be found at https://www.providenceoris.com/training/
For More Information:
Phone: (512) 258-8855
Email: info@providenceoris.com
Visit our websites:
www.providenceoris.com (software, support, and training)
www.beestxpress.com (cloud-based high speed AERMOD)
