Toward a New National Weather Service A First Report (1991) / Chapter Skim
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Introduction
Introduction
Pages 13-20
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From page 13... ...
The National Research Council's National Weather Service Modernization Committee endorses the organizational approach and implementation philosophy of the NWS, but recognizes the challenges ahead; success will depend on the continuity of strong leadership, of good management, and of adequate resources. Although the Committee is impressed with the progress the NWS has made, it is also cognizant of the commitment required by the federal government, NOAA, and the NWS to complete successfully the modernization and revitalization of the nation's weather services.
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From page 14... ...
The modernization and associated restructuring of NWS shall assure that the major advances which have been made in our ability to observe and understand the atmosphere are applied to the practical problems of providing weather and hydrologic services to the Nation." The more specific goals set forth in the National Implementation Plan for the Modernization and Associated Restructuring of the NWS (DOC, 1990) are: • "Operational realization of a predictive warning program focusing on mesoscale meteorology and hydrology; • "Advancement of the science of meteorology and hydrology, • "Development of NWS human resources to achieve maximum benefit from recent scientific and technological advances; • "User acceptance and support of NWS modernization and associated restructuring service improvement objectives; • "Strengthening cooperation with the mass media, universities, the research community and the private hydrometeorological sector to collectively fulfill the nation's weather information needs from provision of 14
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From page 15... ...
The successful implementation of four key components of the modernization initiative is essential to realize its full potential. Modernization requires: • more powerful observation technology, including Doppler radar, automatic observing systems, and enhanced satellite systems now being developed, as well as new systems such as wind profilers and a lightning detection network, that together will produce unprecedented, highresolution, continuing information on the state of the atmosphere; • more powerful systems and concepts for transmitting this information, converting it into forecasts and warnings, and making timely information about the atmosphere available to a variety of users in the public and private sectors; 15
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From page 16... ...
NEW OBSERVATION SYSTEMS Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) units utilize Doppler radar technology to measure the radial wind velocity in severe weather elements such as thunderstorms, to provide improved estimates of precipitation amounts, to detect the transition between rain and snow, and to track storm movement and intensity.
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From page 17... ...
of the NWS. The AWIPS unit and its associated communications will be the data integrator at each WFO, receiving highresolution data from the observation systems; centrally collected data, analyses, and guidance products from the National Meteorological Center (NMC)
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From page 18... ...
The hydrologjc forecasts and warnings prepared by the RFCs are disseminated by the WSFOs and selected WSOs. The work of these operational field facilities is supported by the National Meteorological Center, the National Hurricane Center, and the National Severe Storms Forecast Center.
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From page 19... ...
unless the Secretary has certified -- that such action will not result in any degradation of weather services provided to the affected area." NEW AND STRONGER COLLABORATION The current modernization of the NWS and its continuing improvement in the future are vitally dependent on collaboration with both the university community and the private sector. Universities are the prime sources of new meteorologists for the NWS and play a key role in training these future meteorologists in the use of new scientific and technological developments.
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From page 20... ...
Increased attention to collaboration with the private sector will be required as modernization of the NWS continues. THE COMMITTEE'S ENDORSEMENT AND INTENT The Committee on National Weather Service Modernization has examined the plans for these components in some detail, and commends the federal government and the NWS for creating a modernization plan that offers tremendous potential for enhanced service to the nation.
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