Partnering with the National Weather Service

Partnering with the National Weather Service

Ron GirdOutreach Program Manager

NOAA-National Weather ServiceVirginia Public Safety Outreach Conference

November 20, 2003

Talk OutlineTalk Outline

• Introduction to the National Weather Service

• Community Awareness & Preparedness

• Get to Know Us

• Summary

• Introduction to the National Weather Service

• Community Awareness & Preparedness

• Get to Know Us

• Summary

What We Do – Our MissionWhat We Do – Our Mission

• Produce Weather, Water and Climate Forecasts and Warnings

– For All Americans– To Protect Life and Property– To Enhance the National Economy

• Data and Products:– Government Agencies– Private Sector– The Public– Global Communities

• Weather and data are becoming more important to economy and business decisions

• Produce Weather, Water and Climate Forecasts and Warnings

– For All Americans– To Protect Life and Property– To Enhance the National Economy

• Data and Products:– Government Agencies– Private Sector– The Public– Global Communities

• Weather and data are becoming more important to economy and business decisions

Who We Are Weather Forecast Office (WFO)

Team: Your Community Weather Experts

Who We Are Weather Forecast Office (WFO)

Team: Your Community Weather Experts

• Issues all Local Forecasts & Warnings

• Builds and Maintains Relationships With Local and State Governments

• Provides Expert Advice to Emergency Operations Centers

• Solicits Customer Feedback on Products and Services

• Conducts Community Awareness and Education Programs

• Trains Volunteer Observers and Storm Spotters

• Issues all Local Forecasts & Warnings

• Builds and Maintains Relationships With Local and State Governments

• Provides Expert Advice to Emergency Operations Centers

• Solicits Customer Feedback on Products and Services

• Conducts Community Awareness and Education Programs

• Trains Volunteer Observers and Storm Spotters

Respond & Feedback

Respond & Feedback

How We Do ItHow We Do It

DistributeDistribute

Products & ServicesProducts & Services

LocalOfficesLocal

OfficesCentral

GuidanceCentral

GuidanceProcessProcess

ObserveObserve

FeedbackFeedbackFeedbackFeedback

Where We ArePerformance

Where We ArePerformance

Severe Thunderstorm WarningsSevere Thunderstorm Warnings

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

Year

Pe

rce

nt

0

5

10

15

20

25

Min

ute

s

Probability of Detection(Y1)

False Alarm Rate(Y1)

Lead Time(Y2)

Flash Flood WarningsFlash Flood Warnings

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

Year

Pe

rce

nt

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

Min

ute

s

Probability of Detection(Y1)

False Alarm Rate(Y1)

Lead Time(Y2)

No Flash Flood data prior to 1987No Flash Flood data prior to 1987

Tornado WarningsTornado Warnings

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002Year

Pe

rcen

t

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Min

ute

s

Probability of Detection(Y1)

False Alarm Rate(Y1)

Lead Time(Y2)

Hurricane Path ImprovementHurricane Path Improvement

0

100

200

300

400

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Years

Pat

h E

rro

r

2 Day

3 Day

Where We AreU.S. Drought Monitor

Where We AreU.S. Drought Monitor

Where We AreU.S. Hazards Assessments

2-Week Outlook

Where We AreU.S. Hazards Assessments

2-Week Outlook

CommunityAwareness & Preparedness

CommunityAwareness & Preparedness

• Users

– Public

– Emergency Management

– Private Sector

– Government Agencies

– Academia

• Users

– Public

– Emergency Management

– Private Sector

– Government Agencies

– Academia

• Methods

– NOAA Weather Radio

– NOAAPORT

– Weather Wire

– Internet

– Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN)

• Methods

– NOAA Weather Radio

– NOAAPORT

– Weather Wire

– Internet

– Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN)

OCWWS: Help Us – Help You!

What is StormReady?What is StormReady?

• StormReady is a “grass roots” program that focuses on improving communication and severe weather preparedness in communities

• StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs

• StormReady prepares communities for severe weather - from tornadoes to tsunamis

• StormReady provides community leaders and emergency managers with detailed and clear guidance on how to improve their warning and weather preparedness programs

• StormReady is a “grass roots” program that focuses on improving communication and severe weather preparedness in communities

• StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs

• StormReady prepares communities for severe weather - from tornadoes to tsunamis

• StormReady provides community leaders and emergency managers with detailed and clear guidance on how to improve their warning and weather preparedness programs

StormReadyStormReady

• 631 StormReady Sites in 46 states (Sept. 5, 2003)Fairfax County-11/17/03

• 8 TsunamiReady/StormReady Communities

• 631 StormReady Sites in 46 states (Sept. 5, 2003)Fairfax County-11/17/03

• 8 TsunamiReady/StormReady Communities

When Seconds Count, When Seconds Count,

StormReady StormReady Communities are Communities are

PreparedPrepared

How We Do It StormReady Success Story

Van Wert, Ohio F4 Tornado - 11/10/02

How We Do It StormReady Success Story

Van Wert, Ohio F4 Tornado - 11/10/02

Data Acquisition &

Data Acquisition &

Processing

Processing

Numerical Numerical

ModelingModeling

Warnings

Warnings

Operations

Operations

DisseminationDissemination

ResponseResponse

2003 Lightning Safety PosterLightning Safety Magnets

2003 Lightning Safety PosterLightning Safety Magnets

NOAA PA# 200353OCWWS: Help Us – Help You!

Turn Around – Don’t Drown

Turn Around – Don’t Drown

• Slogan/concept developed by Hector Guerrero, WCM-WFO San Angelo

•Developing National web page and pamphlets for national distribution (Spring 2004)

• Slogan/concept developed by Hector Guerrero, WCM-WFO San Angelo

•Developing National web page and pamphlets for national distribution (Spring 2004)

www.nws.noaa.gov/om/water/turnaround.shtmlwww.nws.noaa.gov/om/water/turnaround.shtmlOCWWS: Help Us – Help You!

A Guide to F-Scale Damage Assessment

A Guide to F-Scale Damage Assessment

• Recommendation 2 from the La Plata, MD Tornado Service Assessment: Completed April 2003

• Copies sent to all WFOs and Regional WCMs as a training tool for PSDA techniques

• Recommendation 2 from the La Plata, MD Tornado Service Assessment: Completed April 2003

• Copies sent to all WFOs and Regional WCMs as a training tool for PSDA techniques

OCWWS: Help Us – Help You!

PDF version available onPDF version available onWCM Resource Center at:WCM Resource Center at:http://meted.ucar.edu/resource/wcmhttp://meted.ucar.edu/resource/wcm

Partnerships Promote Progress

Partnerships Promote Progress

• National Weather Service partners:

– The Weather Channel

• NWS watches and warnings to 85 million homes

• Joint Outreach activities

– American Meteorological Society

• Train local teachers in meteorology and oceanography

– National Disaster Education Coalition (NDEC)

• Red Cross-FEMA-USDA-USGS and many other

• Consistent science and safety message for all hazards

• National Weather Service partners:

– The Weather Channel

• NWS watches and warnings to 85 million homes

• Joint Outreach activities

– American Meteorological Society

• Train local teachers in meteorology and oceanography

– National Disaster Education Coalition (NDEC)

• Red Cross-FEMA-USDA-USGS and many other

• Consistent science and safety message for all hazards

NWS: When Seconds Count DVDNWS: When Seconds Count DVD

• Produced by “The Weather Channel” as part of their Forecast Earth Series

• Collaborative effort between NOAA/NWS and The Weather Channel

• DVD Copies sent to all forecast offices

• 30 minutes long with three main sections

• El Nino Flooding in California

• Tornadoes in the Midwest

• Tropical Storm Allison Flooding in Texas

• Produced by “The Weather Channel” as part of their Forecast Earth Series

• Collaborative effort between NOAA/NWS and The Weather Channel

• DVD Copies sent to all forecast offices

• 30 minutes long with three main sections

• El Nino Flooding in California

• Tornadoes in the Midwest

• Tropical Storm Allison Flooding in Texas

OCWWS: Help Us – Help You!

Citizen CorpsCitizen Corps

• July 2003: Statement of Affiliation signed between DHS and NOAA-National Weather Service

•The local NWS Forecast Office will be the contact for local Citizen Corps groups

– Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM)

• www.citizencorps.com

• July 2003: Statement of Affiliation signed between DHS and NOAA-National Weather Service

•The local NWS Forecast Office will be the contact for local Citizen Corps groups

– Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM)

• www.citizencorps.com

OCWWS: Help Us – Help You!

Citizen Corps - continuedCitizen Corps - continued

•Together DHS and NOAA agree to work to:

• Raise public awareness about weather hazards and promote public safety

• Promote formation of local Citizen Corps Councils and assist them in expanding NOAA Weather Radio coverage

• Provide opportunities for volunteers thru the NWS Coop Observing Program

• Expand Storm Spotter training at local WFOs

• Publicly acknowledge the NOAA/Citizen Corps Affiliation thru website links, co-logos on publications etc.

• Coordinate respective activities to further shared missions

•Together DHS and NOAA agree to work to:

• Raise public awareness about weather hazards and promote public safety

• Promote formation of local Citizen Corps Councils and assist them in expanding NOAA Weather Radio coverage

• Provide opportunities for volunteers thru the NWS Coop Observing Program

• Expand Storm Spotter training at local WFOs

• Publicly acknowledge the NOAA/Citizen Corps Affiliation thru website links, co-logos on publications etc.

• Coordinate respective activities to further shared missions

OCWWS: Help Us – Help You!

Overview of NOAA/NWS Homeland Security Program

Overview of NOAA/NWS Homeland Security Program

• The entire forecast process helps support Homeland Security.

• Home Land Security Functions:

– Detection, Preparedness, Prevention, Protection, Response, and Recovery.

• NOAA services support most of these functions.

• The entire forecast process helps support Homeland Security.

• Home Land Security Functions:

– Detection, Preparedness, Prevention, Protection, Response, and Recovery.

• NOAA services support most of these functions.

NWS Role Dispersion Models

NWS Role Dispersion Models

• NWS Numerical Prediction Center

– National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)

• Runs HYSPLIT routinely at end of every Eta-12 run.

• Able to run site-specific HYSPLIT and 4km NMM on request

• Hosts secure web site

• Senior Duty Meteorologist (SDM) runs HYSPLIT and refers federal agencies to WFO

• NWS Numerical Prediction Center

– National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)

• Runs HYSPLIT routinely at end of every Eta-12 run.

• Able to run site-specific HYSPLIT and 4km NMM on request

• Hosts secure web site

• Senior Duty Meteorologist (SDM) runs HYSPLIT and refers federal agencies to WFO

NWS Role Local Forecast Office

NWS Role Local Forecast Office

• Best source of local/regional weather, water, and climate info 24/7

• Expert knowledge of local terrain, land use, and climatological influences

• Existing linkages to local/regional First Responders, EMs, and media

• NWR and EAS provide emergency dissemination to much of the public

• On-site support to EOC’s

• Special products such as GIS mapping and web links

• Best source of local/regional weather, water, and climate info 24/7

• Expert knowledge of local terrain, land use, and climatological influences

• Existing linkages to local/regional First Responders, EMs, and media

• NWR and EAS provide emergency dissemination to much of the public

• On-site support to EOC’s

• Special products such as GIS mapping and web links

What to do When the Call Comes In

What to do When the Call Comes In

• MOST local incidents will be responded to by local FR’s and EM’s

• In those cases, they will contact the WFO directly

• Incidents involving Nuclear Reg. Commission (NRC) or other Feds will contact SDM who will send them to appropriate WFO

• WFO should obtain appropriate information such as location, size and/or height of release, what weather information is requested, & who/how to provide outputs

• Call the NCEP SDM (301) 763-8298

• MOST local incidents will be responded to by local FR’s and EM’s

• In those cases, they will contact the WFO directly

• Incidents involving Nuclear Reg. Commission (NRC) or other Feds will contact SDM who will send them to appropriate WFO

• WFO should obtain appropriate information such as location, size and/or height of release, what weather information is requested, & who/how to provide outputs

• Call the NCEP SDM (301) 763-8298

What to do When the Call Comes In(continued)

What to do When the Call Comes In(continued)

• SDM will submit the HYSPLIT model job which should run and post to the secure web site within 10-15 mins

• After 10-15 minutes, WFO forecaster should check the web site and download the appropriate HYSPLIT files when available.

• WFOs with GIS expertise may be asked to re-map the model output to meet user’s needs

• Provide model output and any additional weather information to requestor as agreed upon above (fax, e-mail attach., FTP, web link, etc).

• Continue to provide information as long as needed

• SDM will submit the HYSPLIT model job which should run and post to the secure web site within 10-15 mins

• After 10-15 minutes, WFO forecaster should check the web site and download the appropriate HYSPLIT files when available.

• WFOs with GIS expertise may be asked to re-map the model output to meet user’s needs

• Provide model output and any additional weather information to requestor as agreed upon above (fax, e-mail attach., FTP, web link, etc).

• Continue to provide information as long as needed

Information Requested byFR’s and EM’s

Information Requested byFR’s and EM’s

• Hourly Weather Roundup (HRR)

• Representative METAR & Mesonet obs (including AWS, PORTS, etc.) within 50 miles

• Upper-Air Data: Soundings and aircraft data

• Spot Forecast out 12h to several days

• Detailed zone or sub-zone forecast with local terrain effects including sea and valley breezes Stability/Mixing and Transport Forecasts

• Additional HYSPLIT runs

• Hourly Weather Roundup (HRR)

• Representative METAR & Mesonet obs (including AWS, PORTS, etc.) within 50 miles

• Upper-Air Data: Soundings and aircraft data

• Spot Forecast out 12h to several days

• Detailed zone or sub-zone forecast with local terrain effects including sea and valley breezes Stability/Mixing and Transport Forecasts

• Additional HYSPLIT runs

Dispersion Model Web Resources

Dispersion Model Web Resources

• ARL READY Site: www.arl.noaa.gov/ready.htm

• ARL HYSPLIT Info: www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/dispersion.html

• ARL Smoke Product: www.arl.noaa.gov/smokewww.arl.noaa.gov/smoke

• COMET Dispersion meted.ucar.edu/dispersion/basics/index.htm

• COMET HYSPLIT: meted.ucar.edu/dispersion/cam_hys/index.htm

• NWSI 10-518: www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/pd01005018a.pd

• ARL READY Site: www.arl.noaa.gov/ready.htm

• ARL HYSPLIT Info: www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/dispersion.html

• ARL Smoke Product: www.arl.noaa.gov/smokewww.arl.noaa.gov/smoke

• COMET Dispersion meted.ucar.edu/dispersion/basics/index.htm

• COMET HYSPLIT: meted.ucar.edu/dispersion/cam_hys/index.htm

• NWSI 10-518: www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/pd01005018a.pd

NOAA Weather RadioAMBER Alerts

NOAA Weather RadioAMBER Alerts

• AMBER alerts, may be relayed over NWR by the NWS at the request of local and/or state officials. We do not not initiate the contact nor the message.

• Some local and state EAS plans and local agreements with NWS offices include provisions for AMBER alerts, using the currently available "CEM“ EAS event code.

• AMBER alerts, may be relayed over NWR by the NWS at the request of local and/or state officials. We do not not initiate the contact nor the message.

• Some local and state EAS plans and local agreements with NWS offices include provisions for AMBER alerts, using the currently available "CEM“ EAS event code.

NOAA Weather RadioAMBER Alerts

NOAA Weather RadioAMBER Alerts

• The FCC has adopted the Child Abduction Emergency (CAE) event code.

• WFOs can now use CAE to transmit AMBER Alerts over NWR.

• All Hazards Emergency Message Web Page

– www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/allhazard.htm

• The FCC has adopted the Child Abduction Emergency (CAE) event code.

• WFOs can now use CAE to transmit AMBER Alerts over NWR.

• All Hazards Emergency Message Web Page

– www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/allhazard.htm

Get to Know Us

http://www.weather.gov

Get to Know Us

http://www.weather.gov

www.weather.govwww.weather.gov

Zip code

www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml

Local NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologists

(WCM)

Local NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologists

(WCM)

www.stormready.noaa.gov/contact.htm

Where We’re GoingLonger Range Hurricane Forecast

Where We’re GoingLonger Range Hurricane Forecast

Where We’re GoingAdvanced Hydrologic Prediction

Service

Where We’re GoingAdvanced Hydrologic Prediction

Service

AHPS Base and Energy Expansion Areas

Areas Completed Through FY 2002

Areas Covered by FY 2003 National AHPS (110 New Forecast Points)

Areas Covered by FY 2003 Energy Initiative (56 New Forecast Points)

Anchorage(A KRFC)

Tulsa(A BRFC)

Fort W orth(W GRFC)

Slidell(LM RFC)

Pleasant Hill(M BRFC)

StateCollege

(M ARFC)

Taunton(N ERFC)

Portland(N W RFC)

Sacram ento(C NRFC) Salt Lake City

(C BRFC)

Peachtree City(S ERFC)

Chanhassen(N CRFC)

W ilmington(O HRFC)

Sacramento(CNRFC)

Taunton(NERFC)

AHPS Probability of AHPS Probability of Flooding PredictionFlooding Prediction

SummarySummary

• NOAA-NWS are pleased to join DHS Citizen Corps Affiliate Program

• NWS local forecast offices are already providing support to local CC Councils

• NWS will establish consistent local support nation wide

• NOAA-NWS are pleased to join DHS Citizen Corps Affiliate Program

• NWS local forecast offices are already providing support to local CC Councils

• NWS will establish consistent local support nation wide