In AWIPS Build 5.2.2, each forecast office will be able to
modify the location, size, and resolution of its local MSAS domain,
and will also be able to specify the model background utilized in the
MSAS analyses, the level of the MSAS pressure reduction (e.g. 1500m or
sea level), and the time interval used in the MSAS pressure change
analysis (e.g. 1-h or 3-h pressure change).  Changes in the domain
size will be linked to changes in the grid resolution in such a way as
to minimize AWIPS impacts and guarantee that overall MSAS
computational demands remain the same. For example, forecast offices
can choose a 15-km, regional-scale domain, or a 60-km CONUS domain,
but not a 15-km CONUS domain.  Starting in Build 5.2.2, MSAS will
also, for the first time, support domains outside the Continental
U.S., e.g. Alaska and Puerto Rico.  Default domains have been
established for each $FXA_INGEST_SITE.

The default domain for CONUS sites matches the domain used by MSAS in
previous AWIPS builds, i.e., a 60-km grid covering CONUS and
neighboring areas of Canada and Mexico.  For Alaska sites, the default
is a 30-km grid covering Alaska, and for Puerto Rico, a 30-km grid
covering Puerto Rico and nearby areas of the Caribbean is used. Note 
that, in Build 5.2.2, MSAS is not enabled for sites in the Pacific Region.

For more information on the customization options offered in the Build
5.2.2 MSAS, see http://www-sdd.fsl.noaa.gov/MSAS/localization.html.
For more information on MSAS analysis techniques, see 
http://www-sdd.fsl.noaa.gov/MSAS/msas.html.