Winter Weather Operations Plan (WWOP)

2. Winter Weather Operations Plan (WWOP) • Duty Assignments • Pre-event Planning • Flow charts

3. Staffing Positions • Public Information Officer (PIO) • Event Forecaster • Forecaster • Shift Duties • Storm Report Specialist (SRS) • Mesoscale and Real-time Support (MARS)

4. Public Information Officer(PIO) • Primary point of contact for public and media interviews and inquiries prior to and during the winter weather event. • Also acts as the coordinator of information and personnel during the event. • More specifically, the PIO • Serves as the event coordinator for staffing and information. • Coordinates with the Event Forecaster, SRS, and MARS for changes in storm evolution and expected snow/ice amounts and hazards. • Handles all inquiries and interview requests regarding the winter weather event. • Assists the SRS in initiating the production of an event snowfall map for the web page.

5. Event Forecaster • Updates the forecast database to reflect the changing weather conditions for the duration of the winter weather event. • Produces the text products derived from the database namely the Zone Forecast Package (ZFP) and Point Forecast Matrix (PFM) for the time period encompassing the event. • More specifically, the Event Forecaster • Updates the forecast database and reissues products derived from it for the winter weather event (while coordinating with the Forecaster). • Updates the ZFP for changes to watches/warnings/advisories. • Issues and/or updates WWA products (warnings, advisories, watches) If the MARS duty position has not been filled or delegated. • Issues and updates TAFs and TWEBs if these forecasts fall within the time frame of the winter weather event, and coordinates with the CWSU.

6. Forecaster • Updates the forecast database for the time period not encompassing the winter weather event. • More specifically, the Forecaster • Issues products derived from the forecast database as requested by the Event Forecaster. • Issues and updates TAFs and TWEBs if these forecasts fall outside the time frame of the winter weather event, and coordinates with the CWSU.

7. Shift Duties • Issues routine hydrological products and climate products. • Issues the Regional Weather Summary. • Assists with data collection and quality assurance as time allows.

8. Storm Report Specialist (SRS) • Is the primary phone operator for the duration of the winter weather event. • Also leads the initial storm report effort by initiating phone calls for snowfall/ice amounts. • More specifically, the SRS • Answers and routes phone calls to staff. • Collects and logs snowfall/ice reports from CWIP and COOP observers, Emergency Managers, sheriff’s offices, and E-Spotters. • Leads the initial verification effort and issues Local Storm Reports (LSR). • Monitors web page for accuracy of graphical and forecast information. • Relays snowfall/ice amounts to forecaster(s), PIO, MARS and Shift Duties position. • Prepares the summary LSR of maximum snow or ice totals. • Initiates the production of an Event Snowfall Map for the web page.

9. Mesoscale and Real-time Support (MARS) • Provides synoptic and mesoscale information to the staff. Also conducts regular staff briefings detailing changes in the synoptic, mesoscale and storm scale environments. Optimally, the MARS will also provide incoming staff members with a valuable in‑brief. • More specifically, The MARS duty position... • Conducts analysis of synoptic, mesoscale and storm scale conditions. • Issues and/or updates WWA products (Warnings, Advisories, Watches). • Issues and amends HWO. • Provides updates to the PIO and Event Forecaster regarding changes in storm evolution and snowfall/ice amounts and/or precipitation type. • Is the second point of contact for interviews if the PIO is unavailable.

10. Staffing Flow Charts • Three different models • Based on how far away the expected event onset is

11. Event onset > 36 hours away SHIFT DAY EVENING MIDNIGHT *Forecaster *Event Forecaster * PIO *Shift duties *Event Forecaster *Forecaster *PIO *Shift duties Model 1 X 2 (eve/mid) or 3 (day)

12. 36 hours ≤ event onset ≥ 24 hours away SHIFT DAY EVENING MIDNIGHT *Event Forecaster *Forecaster *Shift duties *PIO *Event Forecaster *Forecaster *Shift duties *PIO *Event Forecaster *PIO *Forecaster *Shift duties Model 2 X 2 (eve/mid) or 3 (day)

13. Significant/High Impact Event expected ≤ 24 hrs. away SHIFT DAY EVENING MIDNIGHT *Event Forecaster *MARS *Forecaster *PIO *SRS *Shift duties *Event Forecaster *MARS *Forecaster *Shift duties *PIO *SRS Model 3Significant or High Impact Event X 3 (eve/mid) or 4 (day)

14. WWE • Has ended, but HPC will: • Issue an internal (NWS-only) set of winter weather products for use at a WFO, twice daily following the 00Z and 12Z model cycles. • Be available to collaborate with the WFOs for a set time period. • Issue its operational suite of products.

15. WWE, cont. • WFO EAX may request HPC to facilitate a collaboration call for an event under the following guidelines: • The forecast for the event carries sufficient uncertainty as the to the strength, potential, or precipitation nature of the event (i.e. borderline cases where expected amounts are neither well above nor well below watch/warning criteria). • Model differences are significant. • The requesting WFO has coordinated the request with no less than 2 adjacent and no more than 10 contiguous WFOs. • Collaboration on 12 Planet has become inefficient.