1. National Weather Service Products and Services Steve DiRienzo Warning Coordination Meteorologist NWS Albany, NY

2. Overview 1.What is the National Weather Service? 2.Watches, Warnings and Advisories and Outlooks Too! 3.Routine Products and Services 4.Specialty Centers 5.Communication Channels 6.Outreach and Education 7.Websites

3. 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

4. 1. What is the National Weather Service

5. NWS Mission

6. Weather Forecast Offices

7. 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.

8. Definitions

9. 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.

10. Hazardous Weather Outlook

11. Winter Weather Watches/Warnings

12. Thunderstorm/Tornado Watches/Warnings

13. Hydrology (Water) Watches/Warnings

14. Non-Precipitation Watches and Warnings

15. Non-Precipitation Watches and Warnings Cont.

16. Fire Weather Watches/Warnings

17. Statements – Used for Updates

18. Verification and Performance Goals

19. 3. Routine Products and Services

20. Point and Click Forecast

21. NWS GIS Data Portal http://www.nws.noaa.gov/gis/

22. XML and RSS Feeds

23. Radar Products

24. Radar Products Cont.

25. Hydrologic Services

26. Fire Weather Services

27. Fire Weather – NWS Spot Forecasts

28. Fire Weather - NWS Spot Forecasts

29. Routine Aviation Products

30. Climate Services

31. 4. Specialty Centers – Storm Prediction Center

32. Specialty Centers – National Hurricane Center

34. Specialty Centers – River Forecast Centers

36. Specialty Centers – Regional Climate Centers

37. Specialty Centers – Climate Prediction Center

38. Specialty Centers – Hydrometeorological Prediction Center

39. Specialty Centers – National Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center

40. Specialty Centers – ARL – HYSPLIT Model Plume Trajectories

41. 5. Communication Channels Cell Phone/Smartphone/Blackberry Version: http://mobile.weather.gov/

42. Communication Channels – NOAA Weather Radio http://www.erh.noaa.gov/nwr/

43. Communication Channels – Emergency Alert System (EAS)

44. Communication Channels – EMWIN and IWIN

45. Communication Channels – iNWS

46. 6. Outreach and Education

50. Decision Support Services If you need to contact us for Emergency Management Support: 1-800-239-2123 We are staffed 24/7.

51. Summary 1.What is the National Weather Service? 2.Watches, Warnings and Advisories and Outlooks Too! 3.Routine Products and Services 4.Specialty Centers 5.Communication Channels 6.Outreach and Education 7.Websites

52. NWS Products and Services Reference Guidebook Most of what I talked about is from the Reference Guidebook http://www.weather.gov/om/guide/.pdf Document

53. School Severe Weather Emergency Plan Guidebook A guide to developing a severe weather emergency plan for schools http://www.erh.noaa.gov/aly/Special/School%20Weather%20Safety%20Plan.pdf /.pdf Document

54. The End Questions? Steve DiRienzo Warning Coordination Meteorologist 1-518-435-9571 x223 Stephen.Dirienzo@noaa.gov Britt Westergard Senior Service Hydrologist 1-518-435-9571 x234 Britt.Westergard@noaa.gov