Robert GrumbineNational Weather Service

Robert.Grumbine@noaa.gov

RA-IV WIGOS Implementation Workshop (English),

1 - 3 December, Willemstad Curaçao

United States of America Presentation

Outline of the Presentation

1.Mission of the NMHS2.National Observing Issues or Needs 3.Plans for the Observing Networks4.WIGOS Implementation Status5.Summary

Mission of the NMHS

Provide weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.

Event Date Area Affected Fatalities Economic Losses

Hurricane Katrina 2005 U. S. Gulf Coast states 2,000 $80 billion

Tornado outbreak 2011 Six southern U. S. states 346 $11 million

Mississippi River Flood 2011 Mississippi River Valley 20 $2-$4 billion

•NWS Office of Observations- Component of the reorganized NWS Headquarters- Aligns programs for optimal management of resources

Major needs and gaps in observing capabilities and access

No major gaps, but collaboration opportunities to meet needs: Ocean surface vector winds, Arctic observations,

vertical wind profiles and aircraft observations (Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea)

Methods under development to assess needs and gaps within NOAA and other agencies in the U. S. government

Plans for the National Observing Networks

Develop real-time monitoring and reporting capability to support operationsNWS Headquarters reorganization, April 2015 leading to new procedures and approach to managing observationsRegional Instrument Centers (RICs)

Sterling Field Support Center is being analyzed as a potential RIC Mt. Washington National Data Buoy Center (Regional Marine Instrument Center)

Maintain observing capabilities NEXRAD Service Life Extension Program ASOS Service Life Extension Program Frequency migration for radiosondes Mesonet

WIGOS Implementation Status

WMO monitoring indicates 8 silent stations: 6 RBSN surface/1 silent RBSN upper air/1 silent RCBN NWS investigating to resolve this discrepancy

Several U. S. databases NWS Office of Observations analyzing combining databases

(MADIS, by interacting with OSCAR, may do this)Data access via Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and WMO Publication No. 9, Volume AData and metadata access via National Centers for Environmental Information NCEI (archived) and Global Information System Centers (GISC)

WIGOS Implementation Status

Completion of updated National WIGOS Implementation Plan anticipated by early 2016

WIGOS Quality Management Pilot Project Aircraft observation over Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Caribbean radar data for Numerical Weather Prediction

Training is needed to take full advantage of Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review tool (OSCAR)

WIGOS Implementation Status

Formal agreements with partners including:

Partners access our data via: Web interface FTP WIS/GISC NOMADS

No significant barriers or constraints Barrier to locating/accessing information

USGS USACE

IOOS NASA

DoD DOT

US Navy US Air Force

WIGOS Implementation Status

WIGOS Pilot Project – assisting development of Quality Management processes and proceduresU. S. is exploring quality management options through MADISNWS process includes policy, directives and instructions

Implementation is monitored

Summary

U. S. NWS Headquarters reorganization is improving observing operations All observations activities, including monitoring and

planning are now in one officeWIGOS implementation progressing U. S. participating in quality monitoring pilot with

WIGOS Project Office Updating national implementation plan in 2016