Introduction to the National Introduction to the National Weather ServiceWeather Service

Howard University School of Atmospheric ScienceHoward University School of Atmospheric Science

Ken WatersKen WatersNWS Regional ScientistNWS Regional Scientist

National Weather ServiceNational Weather ServicePacific Region HeadquartersPacific Region Headquarters

Honolulu, HawaiiHonolulu, Hawaii

June 1, 2005June 1, 2005

OutlineOutline

• An overview of the National Weather An overview of the National Weather ServiceService

• A sample research area for NWS: GIS A sample research area for NWS: GIS TechnologyTechnology

• Department of Commerce (DOC)Department of Commerce (DOC)– National Oceanic and Atmospheric National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA)Administration (NOAA)•National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service

– Annual Budget $850MAnnual Budget $850M

• NWS Mission:NWS Mission:

" " The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database and infrastructure which can be used by other governmental database and infrastructure which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public, and the global community.agencies, the private sector, the public, and the global community. " "

National Weather Service National Weather Service OrganizationOrganization

• National Headquarters in Silver Spring, MDNational Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD• Support staff in Silver SpringSupport staff in Silver Spring• Numerous other support facilities around the country such as the Numerous other support facilities around the country such as the

National Training Center in Kansas City, and the National Severe National Training Center in Kansas City, and the National Severe Storms Lab in Norman OKStorms Lab in Norman OK

– Six Regions Six Regions (6 regional headquarters, 122 forecast offices):(6 regional headquarters, 122 forecast offices):

– Eastern (Bohemia NY)Eastern (Bohemia NY)– Central (Kansas City MO)Central (Kansas City MO)– Southern (Fort Worth TX)Southern (Fort Worth TX)– Western (Salt Lake City UT)Western (Salt Lake City UT)– Alaska (Anchorage AK)Alaska (Anchorage AK)– Pacific (Honolulu HI)Pacific (Honolulu HI)

– National Center For National Center For Environmental Prediction Environmental Prediction (NCEP) (Camp Springs, MD)(NCEP) (Camp Springs, MD)

• Nine centers around the country producing national products and Nine centers around the country producing national products and guidanceguidance

Location of Forecast OfficesLocation of Forecast Offices

• NWS StaffNWS Staff

– As of 2005: 4832 employees, including:As of 2005: 4832 employees, including:

•2348 Meteorologists2348 Meteorologists

•520 Meteorology Technicians520 Meteorology Technicians

•288 Hydrologists288 Hydrologists

•516 Information Technology specialists516 Information Technology specialists

•432 Electronics Engineer/Technicians432 Electronics Engineer/Technicians

•118 Physical Scientists (oceanographers, 118 Physical Scientists (oceanographers, physicists, etc.)physicists, etc.)

•610 Other fields (administrative support, 610 Other fields (administrative support, etc.)etc.)

NWS SystemsNWS Systems

• AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System) – In every forecast office; LINUX-based System) – In every forecast office; LINUX-based system used for visualization of weather/hydro system used for visualization of weather/hydro data (incl models) and issuance of productsdata (incl models) and issuance of products

• IFPS (Interactive Forecast Preparation System) – IFPS (Interactive Forecast Preparation System) – Graphical editing of forecast grids of surface Graphical editing of forecast grids of surface elementselements

• NEXRAD – Doppler radar networkNEXRAD – Doppler radar network• NOAA Weather Radio (All-Hazards) – Radios that NOAA Weather Radio (All-Hazards) – Radios that

can be programmed to alert for specified counties can be programmed to alert for specified counties and warningsand warnings

Products of National Weather Products of National Weather ServiceService

• Warnings, Watches, and Advisories (tornado, Warnings, Watches, and Advisories (tornado, severe thunderstorm, marine, flash flood, wind, severe thunderstorm, marine, flash flood, wind, heat, hurricane, tsunami, surf, etc.)heat, hurricane, tsunami, surf, etc.)

• Aviation (terminal forecasts, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, Aviation (terminal forecasts, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, graphical outlooks)graphical outlooks)

• Marine (surf, coastal, offshore, high seas forecasts Marine (surf, coastal, offshore, high seas forecasts and oceanic charts)and oceanic charts)

• Public forecasts (zone forecasts, state/area Public forecasts (zone forecasts, state/area forecasts)forecasts)

• National Digital Forecast DatabaseNational Digital Forecast Database• Numerical Models GuidanceNumerical Models Guidance• Climate Forecasts and SummariesClimate Forecasts and Summaries• Hydrological warnings and summariesHydrological warnings and summaries• …….plus much more!.plus much more!

National Digital National Digital Forecast DatabaseForecast Database

• 2.5 km to 5.0 km resolution grid 2.5 km to 5.0 km resolution grid across entire countryacross entire country

• Forecasts out to 7 days of Forecasts out to 7 days of temperature, wind, temperature, wind, precipitation, humidityprecipitation, humidity

• Becoming the primary public Becoming the primary public forecast “product” for the NWS forecast “product” for the NWS rather than text productsrather than text products

• Legacy text products are Legacy text products are derived from complex computer derived from complex computer programs that interrogate the programs that interrogate the gridsgrids

• Power users (AccuWeather, Power users (AccuWeather, Weather Channel, etc.) can Weather Channel, etc.) can download the national grids and download the national grids and use to produce their own use to produce their own customized forecast productscustomized forecast products

• MORE INFO: MORE INFO: http://weather.gov/ndfd/http://weather.gov/ndfd/

Typical Forecast OfficeTypical Forecast Office

• Meteorologist-in-charge (GS-14 or 15)Meteorologist-in-charge (GS-14 or 15)• Warning Coordination Meteorologist (GS-13 Warning Coordination Meteorologist (GS-13

or 14)or 14)• Science and Operations Officer (GS-13 or 14)Science and Operations Officer (GS-13 or 14)• Information Technology Officer (GS-13)Information Technology Officer (GS-13)• 5 Lead Forecasters (GS-13)5 Lead Forecasters (GS-13)• 5 Journeyman Forecasters (GS-12)5 Journeyman Forecasters (GS-12)• 2 Meteorological Interns (GS-5 to 11)2 Meteorological Interns (GS-5 to 11)• Meteorological Technicians, Electronics Meteorological Technicians, Electronics

Technicians, and other support staffTechnicians, and other support staff

Requirements to become meteorologist in Requirements to become meteorologist in NWSNWS

Basic Requirements:Basic Requirements:

• Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included: Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included: – At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science

including a minimum of: including a minimum of: • Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;* Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;* • Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale); Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale); • Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and • Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation. Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.

– Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.* Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.* – Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.* Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.* – At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any

combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science. science.

• *There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics *There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.appropriate for a physical science major.

• OROR• Combination of education and experience--course work as shown in A above, plus Combination of education and experience--course work as shown in A above, plus

appropriate experience or additional education. appropriate experience or additional education.

• Most meteorologists entering the NWS start at Met Intern level (GS-05 Most meteorologists entering the NWS start at Met Intern level (GS-05 [~$28,000/yr]) although higher placement is available for holders of advanced [~$28,000/yr]) although higher placement is available for holders of advanced (graduate) degrees or relevant experience (typically military)(graduate) degrees or relevant experience (typically military)

• Most existing meteorologists are working at GS-11 through GS-13 ($45k-$84k)Most existing meteorologists are working at GS-11 through GS-13 ($45k-$84k)

Getting Into the NWSGetting Into the NWS

•Entry Information: Entry Information: – http://www.weather.gov/eeo/Studehttp://www.weather.gov/eeo/Stude

ntResearchOpportunities.htmntResearchOpportunities.htm

• Jobs Online at:Jobs Online at:– https://jobs1.quickhire.com/scripts/https://jobs1.quickhire.com/scripts/

doc.exedoc.exe

……switching gears…switching gears…

A research application example of A research application example of some work being done in NWS some work being done in NWS blending operations with new blending operations with new technologies. technologies.

THE GOAL: integrate Geographic THE GOAL: integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) principles Information Systems (GIS) principles into the National Weather Service.into the National Weather Service.

BackgroundBackground

• National Weather Service issues four types of short-fused warnings:– Tornado Warnings (TOR)– Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (SVR)– Flash Flood Warnings (FFW)– Special Marine Warnings (SMW)

• Issued normally for one county at a time– Can lead to a large false-alarm area, especially in the

case of large or irregular-sized counties

• Verification has been strictly county-based• Legacy dissemination methods all tied to counties:

– NOAA All-Hazards/Weather Radio• Uses SAME alert code based on counties

– Internet displays – again, based on counties

WARNGENWARNGEN

– Allows forecaster to Allows forecaster to graphically highlight the graphically highlight the area of greatest threatarea of greatest threat

– Creates a template text Creates a template text product for the warning, product for the warning, including proper headers, including proper headers, issue/expiration times, issue/expiration times, county UGC codescounty UGC codes

– ALSO: includes ALSO: includes latitude/longitude vertex latitude/longitude vertex points for the pathcast, or points for the pathcast, or polygon warning --- LITTLE polygon warning --- LITTLE USED by NWS, partners, USED by NWS, partners, and publicand public

Using GIS with Polygon Using GIS with Polygon WarningsWarnings

• Polygon vertices well-suited to include in GISPolygon vertices well-suited to include in GIS

• Mechanism was established to strip off the lat-Mechanism was established to strip off the lat-long polygon information, database the long polygon information, database the polygons, and create real-time GIS shapefilespolygons, and create real-time GIS shapefiles

• Using only open source (“freeware”) softwareUsing only open source (“freeware”) software– Code written in PerlCode written in Perl– Polygon values formatted in ESRI “gen” formatPolygon values formatted in ESRI “gen” format– Use “gen2shp” and “txt2dbf” packagesUse “gen2shp” and “txt2dbf” packages

County vs. PolygonCounty vs. Polygon

• Latitude/Longitude points at the bottom Latitude/Longitude points at the bottom of all TORs, SVRs, FFWs, and SMWs.of all TORs, SVRs, FFWs, and SMWs.

Polygon AdvantagesPolygon Advantages

• Shows specifically where the threat isShows specifically where the threat is• More accurately shows warning area on systems More accurately shows warning area on systems

displaying warnings graphicallydisplaying warnings graphically• Reduction of risk area to publicReduction of risk area to public• Better graphical description capabilitiesBetter graphical description capabilities• Wider local distribution via cell phones, PDAs, etc.Wider local distribution via cell phones, PDAs, etc.• Increase NWS role in the confirmation part of the Increase NWS role in the confirmation part of the

warning processwarning process• Private sector starting to turn to polygonsPrivate sector starting to turn to polygons• Allows NWS to refine warnings to true threat areaAllows NWS to refine warnings to true threat area• Allows us to track and set goals for false alarm areaAllows us to track and set goals for false alarm area• Better warning qualityBetter warning quality• Keeps NWS in technological stepKeeps NWS in technological step

Polygon EliminatesPolygon EliminatesArea FalseArea FalseAlarmedAlarmed

Polygon AdvantagesPolygon Advantages

Prototype TestPrototype Test

Jackson MS Apr 5-7Jackson MS Apr 5-7“Trial by fire”“Trial by fire”

And now, some examples, And now, some examples, using 2004 warningsusing 2004 warnings

Tornado Warnings -- 2004Tornado Warnings -- 2004

Tornado WarningsTornado WarningsFlorida 2004Florida 2004

Severe Thunderstorm Severe Thunderstorm WarningsWarnings

Severe Thunderstorm Severe Thunderstorm WarningsWarnings

Tendency to align warnings to Tendency to align warnings to county borders continued in county borders continued in

20042004

Flash Flood WarningsFlash Flood Warnings

Special Marine WarningsSpecial Marine Warnings

Flash Flood WarningsFlash Flood Warningsstill very “county-based”still very “county-based”

Applications For Applications For Viewing Polygon Viewing Polygon

WarningsWarnings• CONUS map showing warnings, updated CONUS map showing warnings, updated

each minute: each minute: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/http://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/

• ArcIMS map service for historical viewing: ArcIMS map service for historical viewing: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/http://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/

• Texas A&M Site (warnings + radar): Texas A&M Site (warnings + radar): http://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/warn.htmlhttp://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/warn.html

• Iowa Mesonet:Iowa Mesonet:http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/GIS/apps/rview/warnings.phtmlhttp://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/GIS/apps/rview/warnings.phtml

Display of warnings onlyDisplay of warnings onlyhttp://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/http://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/

Busy Day….!Busy Day….!

ArcIMS Map ServiceArcIMS Map Servicehttp://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/warn.htmlhttp://www.prh.noaa.gov/regsci/gis/warn.html

Includes LSR data from SPCIncludes LSR data from SPC

Iowa Environmental Iowa Environmental MesonetMesonet

http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/GIS/apps/rview/warnings.phthttp://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/GIS/apps/rview/warnings.phtmlml

The ChallengesThe Challenges• Internal to NWSInternal to NWS

– Forecaster paradigm shift to focus on weather threatForecaster paradigm shift to focus on weather threat– Workload issues keeping track of warningsWorkload issues keeping track of warnings

• Ensuring events don’t slip between nearly adjacent warningsEnsuring events don’t slip between nearly adjacent warnings– Verification measuresVerification measures

• Changes to GPRA baselinesChanges to GPRA baselines• Special verification issues (e.g., multiple warnings for same county)Special verification issues (e.g., multiple warnings for same county)

– SoftwareSoftware• WARNGEN error -- periodically issues 2-point polygons well out of CWAWARNGEN error -- periodically issues 2-point polygons well out of CWA

• External to NWSExternal to NWS– Dissemination!Dissemination!

• Many TV Stations not prepared to display polygonsMany TV Stations not prepared to display polygons– Niche market for private sector (e.g., WeatherData)Niche market for private sector (e.g., WeatherData)

• NOAA All-Hazards RadioNOAA All-Hazards Radio– Technical limitation: location is based only on countyTechnical limitation: location is based only on county– New generation of NWR needs to allow users to input either lat/long or nearest city to take advantage New generation of NWR needs to allow users to input either lat/long or nearest city to take advantage

of polygon technologyof polygon technology

Questions?Questions?

• Updated every minute for TOR, Updated every minute for TOR, SVR, FFW, SMW, as well as SPC SVR, FFW, SMW, as well as SPC watcheswatches

• Available at:Available at:– http://http://

www.srh.noaa.gov/hq/regsci/giswww.srh.noaa.gov/hq/regsci/gis

Ken Waters

Regional Scientist

NWS Pacific Region

Honolulu, Hawaii

Ken.waters@noaa.gov

(808) 532-6413