National Weather Service Products and Services

National Weather ServiceProducts and Services

Steve DiRienzo

Warning Coordination Meteorologist

NWS Albany, NY

Overview1. What is the National Weather Service?

2. Watches, Warnings and Advisories and Outlooks Too!

3. Routine Products and Services

4. Specialty Centers

5. Communication Channels

6. Outreach and Education

7. Websites

NWS Products and Services Reference Guidebook

• Most of what I’m going to talk about is from the Reference Guidebook

• http://www.weather.gov/om/guide/

• .pdf Document

1. What is the National Weather Service

NWS Mission

Weather Forecast Offices

2. Watches, Warnings, Advisories and Outlooks Too!

1. Outlook: An outlook is used to indicate that a hazardous weather event may develop but there is still uncertainty. Forecaster confidence of an event occurring is generally greater than 30 percent. This stage is intended to provide those who need it, considerable lead-time to prepare for the possible event.

2. Watch: A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather event has increased, but its occurrence, location and/or timing is still somewhat uncertain. Forecaster confidence is generally greater than 50 percent. This stage is intended to provide enough lead-time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.

3. Warning/Advisory: A warning or advisory is used when a hazardous weather event is imminent, or is already occurring. Forecaster confidence is generally greater than 80 percent. A warning is used for conditions that pose a threat to life and property. An advisory is used for less serious conditions that cause significant inconvenience and, if proper precautions are not taken, could pose a threat to life and property. When a warning or advisory is issued, preparations should be completed or rushed to completion.

Definitions

Why Does NWS Forecast Rivers?

• The National Weather Bureau Organic Act of 1890 (U.S. Code title 15, section 311) mandates that the National Weather Service is the responsible agent for "the forecasting of weather, the issue of storm warnings, the display of weather and flood signals for the benefit of agriculture." The NWS uses many sources of data when developing its flood forecasts. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the principal source of data on river depth and flow.

• The USGS operates and maintains more than 85 percent of the Nation's

stream-gaging stations, which includes 98 percent of those that are used for real-time river forecasting.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Winter Weather Watches/Warnings

Thunderstorm/Tornado Watches/Warnings

Hydrology (Water) Watches/Warnings

Non-Precipitation Watches and Warnings

Non-Precipitation Watches and Warnings Cont.

Fire WeatherWatches/Warnings

Statements – Used for Updates

Verification and Performance Goals

3. Routine Products and Services

Point and Click Forecast

NWS GIS Data Portal

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/gis/

XML and RSS Feeds

Radar Products

Radar Products Cont.

Hydrologic Services

Fire Weather Services

Fire Weather – NWS Spot Forecasts

Fire Weather - NWS Spot Forecasts

Routine Aviation Products

Climate Services

4. Specialty Centers – Storm Prediction Center

Specialty Centers – National Hurricane Center

Specialty Centers – National Hurricane Center

Specialty Centers – River Forecast Centers

Specialty Centers – River Forecast Centers

Specialty Centers – Regional Climate Centers

Specialty Centers – Climate Prediction Center

Specialty Centers – Hydrometeorological Prediction Center

Specialty Centers – National Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center

Specialty Centers – ARL –HYSPLIT Model Plume Trajectories

5. Communication Channels

Cell Phone/Smartphone/Blackberry Version:

http://mobile.weather.gov/

Communication Channels – NOAA Weather Radio

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/nwr/

Communication Channels – Emergency Alert System (EAS)

Communication Channels – EMWIN and IWIN

Communication Channels – iNWS

6. Outreach and Education

6. Outreach and Education

6. Outreach and Education

6. Outreach and Education

Decision Support Services

If you need to contact us for Emergency Management Support:

1-800-239-2123

We are staffed 24/7.

Summary1. What is the National Weather Service?

2. Watches, Warnings and Advisories and Outlooks Too!

3. Routine Products and Services

4. Specialty Centers

5. Communication Channels

6. Outreach and Education

7. Websites

NWS Products and Services Reference Guidebook

• Most of what I talked about is from the Reference Guidebook

• http://www.weather.gov/om/guide/

• .pdf Document

School Severe Weather Emergency Plan Guidebook

• A guide to developing a severe weather emergency plan for schools

• http://www.erh.noaa.gov/aly/Special/School%20Weather%20Safety%20Plan.pdf /

• .pdf Document

The End• Questions?

• Steve DiRienzo• Warning Coordination Meteorologist• 1-518-435-9571 x223• [email protected]

• Britt Westergard• Senior Service Hydrologist• 1-518-435-9571 x234• [email protected]