Weather Information for Decision Makers

Bill Sammler

Warning Coordination Meteorologist

NOAA/National Weather Service - Wakefield, VA

Bill Sammler

Warning Coordination Meteorologist

NOAA/National Weather Service - Wakefield, VA

So Much Weather… So Many Places to Find It!!So Much Weather… So Many Places to Find It!!

Our desire is increase YOUR knowledge of an impending weather event without forcing you to

use multiple web sites to get that knowledge

Virginia NWS Web SitesVirginia NWS Web Sites

NWS Wakefield, VA:

http://weather.gov/akq

NWS Blacksburg VA:

http://weather.gov/rnk

NWS Sterling VA:

http://weather.gov/lwx

NWS Morristown TN:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mrx

Clickable Map for Forecasts

Graphical Forecasts

NWS Charleston WV:

http://weather.gov/rlx

Point Specific 7 Day ForecastPoint Specific 7 Day Forecast

KML link to GIS displayable forecast

Forecast Grid Point

GIS Example Using KML LinkGIS Example Using KML Link

Accessing Graphical ForecastsAccessing Graphical Forecasts

Regional Graphical Forecasts

Regional Graphical ForecastsRegional Graphical Forecasts

State Graphical ForecastsState Graphical Forecasts

Local Graphical ForecastsLocal Graphical Forecasts

More Useful Information More Useful Information

Hourly Weather Graph Hourly Weather Graph

Temp/Dew PointTemp/Dew Point

Wind/Wind GustsWind/Wind Gusts

Precip Type/Tstms?

Precip Type/Tstms?

Surface RH/POP/Sky

Surface RH/POP/Sky

NWS Wakefield EM/Briefing PageNWS Wakefield EM/Briefing Pagehttp://weather.gov/akq/empage.php

Local

Radar

Hazard/Topic Specific Tabs

LocalWFO

Products

NWS Wakefield EM/Briefing PageNWS Wakefield EM/Briefing Page

NWS Wakefield EM/Briefing PageNWS Wakefield EM/Briefing Pagehttp://weather.gov/akq/empage.php

NWS Wakefield EM/Briefing PageNWS Wakefield EM/Briefing Page

NWS Blacksburg EM/Briefing PageNWS Blacksburg EM/Briefing Pagehttp://weather.gov/rnk/emer/emer_severe.php

NWS Blacksburg EM/Briefing PageNWS Blacksburg EM/Briefing Page

NWS Blacksburg EM/Briefing PageNWS Blacksburg EM/Briefing Pagehttp://weather.gov/rnk/emer/emer_severe.php

NWS Blacksburg EM/Briefing PageNWS Blacksburg EM/Briefing Page

NWS Sterling EM PageNWS Sterling EM Pagehttp://weather.gov/lwx/em.php

Area Forecast Discussion (AFD)Area Forecast Discussion (AFD)How can I determine the forecaster’s confidence?

Area Forecast Discussion (AFD)Area Forecast Discussion (AFD)How can I determine the forecaster’s confidence?

How can I determine the forecaster’s confidence?

Jan 16, 2008 Forecast Discussion

Area Forecast Discussion (AFD)Area Forecast Discussion (AFD)

Accessing Real-Time Radar DataAccessing Real-Time Radar DataLocal + Regional/National Mosaics

Accessing Real-Time Radar DataAccessing Real-Time Radar DataLocal + Regional/National Mosaics

Standard VersionStandard Version

Enhanced Version

Enhanced Version

Regional

Mosaics

Regional

Mosaics

Getting River Forecast Info (AHPS)Getting River Forecast Info (AHPS)

River Forecast Info (AHPS)River Forecast Info (AHPS)

River Forecast Info (AHPS)River Forecast Info (AHPS)

Using Tabbed BrowsingUsing Tabbed Browsing

• How can I make this info Routine?

• Making it a Priority is One Possibility

• Tabbed Browsing is an Easier Solution

– Open Multiple Pages Each Time Your Browser Opens

• How can I make this info Routine?

• Making it a Priority is One Possibility

• Tabbed Browsing is an Easier Solution

– Open Multiple Pages Each Time Your Browser Opens

Using Tabbed BrowsingUsing Tabbed Browsing

• Available in Firefox and IE7

• In Firefox – File -> New Tab

• In IE7 – Click “blank” tab to open New Tab

• Available in Firefox and IE7

• In Firefox – File -> New Tab

• In IE7 – Click “blank” tab to open New Tab

• Open a New Tab for Each Page you wish to open

• Open a New Tab for Each Page you wish to open

Making Tabs “Home Pages”Making Tabs “Home Pages”

• FIREFOX

• Tools -> Options

• FIREFOX

• Tools -> Options

• Internet Explorer 7 (IE7)

• Tools Icon -> Internet Options

• Internet Explorer 7 (IE7)

• Tools Icon -> Internet Options

Tabbed Browsing ExamplesTabbed Browsing Examples

My OfficeMy Office At HomeAt Home

Conference Calls – Help Us Help You

Conference Calls – Help Us Help You

• Highly valued by NWS (and EMs)

• Run Smoothly Sometimes… Others – Not So Much

• Resources Often Not be Used PRIOR to the Conference Calls

– Baseline Understanding of Impending Event Important to the Quality of Conference Calls

• Many Questions Answered Via These Resources – Please Use Them

• Highly valued by NWS (and EMs)

• Run Smoothly Sometimes… Others – Not So Much

• Resources Often Not be Used PRIOR to the Conference Calls

– Baseline Understanding of Impending Event Important to the Quality of Conference Calls

• Many Questions Answered Via These Resources – Please Use Them

AKQ Conference Calls During

Hanna

AKQ Conference Calls During

Hanna

The End!!

Are There Any Additional

Questions?

Are There Any Additional

Questions?

william.sammler@noaa.govwilliam.sammler@noaa.govchristopher.strong@noaa.govchristopher.strong@noaa.govphil.hysell@noaa.govphil.hysell@noaa.gov