540 likes | 714 Views
National Weather Service Products and Services. Steve DiRienzo Warning Coordination Meteorologist NWS Albany, NY. Overview. What is the National Weather Service? Watches, Warnings and Advisories and Outlooks Too! Routine Products and Services Specialty Centers Communication Channels
E N D
National Weather ServiceProducts and Services Steve DiRienzo Warning Coordination Meteorologist NWS Albany, NY
Overview • What is the National Weather Service? • Watches, Warnings and Advisories and Outlooks Too! • Routine Products and Services • Specialty Centers • Communication Channels • Outreach and Education • 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
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.
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.
NWS GIS Data Portal http://www.nws.noaa.gov/gis/
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/
Decision Support Services If you need to contact us for Emergency Management Support: 1-800-239-2123 We are staffed 24/7.