Toward a New National Weather Service A First Report (1991) / Chapter Skim
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New Observation Systems
New Observation Systems
Pages 21-31
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From page 21... ...
Two particularly important ones for forecasting and warning of severe weather events, because of the high space or time resolution of their observations, are wind profilers and a sferics network for lightning detection and analysis. A network of profilers will be tested during the Modernization and Associated Restructuring Demonstration (MARD)
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From page 22... ...
The IOT&E-2 process involves independent test and evaluation of the entire NEXRAD system to determine its operational effectiveness and suitability, to identify its deficiencies and enhancements, and to determine which items should be addressed during subsequent tests and evaluation. Following are additional comments based on the IOT&E-2 report regarding functional performance and capability, human engineering, software documentation and maintenance, and training.
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From page 23... ...
It is now likely that a highly reliable algorithm for hail detection and quantitative hail measurement will not be available initially, but research at the National Severe Storms Laboratory of NOAA is expected to produce an improved technique. Also, the National Severe Storms Laboratory is working on an unproved mesocyclone detection algorithm.
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From page 24... ...
. The NWS instructors will, in turn, be responsible for training weather service operational and maintenance personnel.
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From page 25... ...
Recommendation: The National Weather Service should develop a continuing comprehensive training and education program so that the skills of the Next Generation Weather Radar maintenance and operational staffs, as well as the meteorologists and hydrologists, reflect the ever-changing state of the art. AUTOMATED SURFACE OBSERVING SYSTEM The Committee does not have any specific comments at this time regarding the status of the development and installation of Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)
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From page 26... ...
Also, the use of these data to verify high-resolution forecasts undoubtedly will contribute to even further improvements as systematic model errors and errors from highly localized effects are uncovered and corrected. Recommendation: The National Weather Service should identify other local and state surface observation resources; assess their quality and utility for operational use as adjunct data; prepare a national summary of the nation's high-resolution observing capabilities; assess the cost of acquiring and upgrading the nation's high-resolution surface observing capabilities; initiate efforts to acquire existing data and, as feasible, to improve the quality and quantity of the data; and promote the development and installation of additional local and state networks in data-sparse regions.
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From page 27... ...
As a result, the Committee is concerned that reestablishment of the full twoGOES constellation may not take place until mid-1994 or later, should there be a launch or spacecraft failure with GOES I or J Because the NWS modernization program depends on the GOES-Next satellites, along with the Next Generation Weather Radar, the Automated Surface Observing System, and the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System, the fragility of the GOES program has the potential to delay the schedule for completion of the full modernization and restructuring.
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From page 28... ...
Recommendation: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Commerce, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Congress should provide more realistic budgeting and funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's operational satellite systems in order to realize the full potential benefits of the National Weather Service modernization and associated restructuring. VIABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF THE CLIMATE DATA RECORD The nation's climate record is a valuable resource whose viability must be maintained.
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From page 29... ...
For example, a slight shift in the location of a thermometer will have little effect on weather forecasts but often produces a noticeable discontinuity in average temperatures at a station, which clearly makes determining climate trends difficult. Given the evident need for high-quality data for climate studies and applications, the Committee argues that the NWS must be concerned that its data satisfy the needs for consistent climate records as well as for forecasting.
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From page 30... ...
Recommendation: The National Weather Service should establish a network of observation stations in natural and undeveloped areas with the sole aim of acquiring baseline data for a long-term climate record. Consistency of the record over long periods should be the first priority.
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From page 31... ...
The Committee plans to continue its examination of the NWS modernization as it relates to the climate record to help ensure a positive impact on that record.
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