1. Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems
National Weather Service: Evolving to Provide Impact-Based Decision Support Services
Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems
Tuesday, September 26, 2017

2. NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne
Status Quo…
Hey! Here’s our website. Everything is riiight here, now have at it.
What do you mean you can’t find what you’re looking for?
Well, call us if you need anything.
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

3. NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne
A Case For Change
Gone is the era of pushing out products…
making room for the era of providing support.
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

4. Helping You Make Better Decisions

5. Meeting the Needs of Government Partners
Remote & On-site Decision Support Services
County Emergency Management
Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
Wyoming State Engineers Office
Wyoming Game & Fish Dept.
Wyoming Dept. of Transportation
National Park Service
US Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
Conservation Districts
Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

6. Meeting the Needs of Government Partners
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

7. Spot Weather Forecasts
Provide weather forecasts for a specific location
Used when requested by public safety official if essential to public safety:
Wildland Fires
Out of control burn
Search & Rescue
HazMat
Forecasts generated from the NWS office
Forecasts can be provided verbally or as text
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

8. Spot Forecasts for Recurring Events
Beartrap Music Festival
National High School Finals Rodeo
Cycle Greater Yellowstone
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Forecasts done each day and delivered to your or fax at the request of Emergency Management
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

9. Example - Spring Flood Potential & Preparation
Water year precipitation average = 135% to 145% of normal statewide
Mountain snowpack is 90% to 190% of normal
Wind River Basin precipitation near 255% of normal, while south central Wyoming is 65% of normal
Much above normal ( %) snowmelt potential across all major basins of western & central Wyoming = above normal streamflow into summer
MAJOR POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING THIS SPRING/SUMMER!
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

10. NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne
Initiation…
Conference Calls
WyoLink
Google Hangouts
Webinars
Good ol’ fashioned phone call
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

11. Contacting the NWS Open 24/7 every day of the year!
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

12. Staying in Touch with NWS

13. NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne
Social Media
Search for National Weather Service XYZ or (XYZ Weather)
NWS staff very actively monitoring
Content is updated regularly (frequency depends upon weather impacts)
Great way to stay aware of local weather
Fantastic way to share YOUR reports, pictures and see reports from others
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

14. NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne
Social Media
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

15. NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne
mobile.weather.gov
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

16. Just Want to Talk with Someone?
“What is the outlook for rain in Laramie the next 7 days?”
“What is the wind forecast for today?”
“How much water is in our snowpack?”
“We have people staged outside, what is the lightning threat?”
Call your local NWS!
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

17. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
WEA Messages Originated by NWS
Warning Type
WEA Message
Tsunami Warning
Tsunami danger on the coast. Go to high ground or move inland. Listen to local news. –NWS
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning in this area til HH:MM. Take shelter now. Check local media. –NWS
Extreme Wind Warning
Extreme Wind Warning this area til HH:MM. Take shelter. –NWS
Hurricane Warning
Hurricane Warning this area til HH:MM. Check local media and authorities. –NWS
Typhoon Warning
Typhoon Warning this area til HH:MM. Check local media and authorities. –NWS
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning this area til HH:MM. Avoid flooded areas. Check local media. –NWS
Dust Storm Warning
Dust Storm Warning in this area til HH:MM. Avoid travel. Check local media. –NWS
Extreme
Severe
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

18. All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio
24-hour broadcast
7-day detailed forecast
Alarm/alert for severe thunderstorms, flash floods, evacuations, etc.
Hourly conditions
Regional temperature and precipitation data
Hazardous weather outlook
Can generate emergency messages = EAS input point!
NWS Riverton NWS Cheyenne

19. Discussions & Questions

20. Civic Groups • Schools • Church Groups • Weather Safety
Thank You!
National Weather Service
Civic Groups • Schools • Church Groups • Weather Safety