1. Robert Grumbine National Weather Service Robert.Grumbine@noaa.gov RA-IV WIGOS Implementation Workshop (English), 1 - 3 December, Willemstad Curaçao United States of America Presentation

2. Outline of the Presentation 1.Mission of the NMHS 2.National Observing Issues or Needs 3.Plans for the Observing Networks 4.WIGOS Implementation Status 5.Summary

3. 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. EventDateArea AffectedFatalitiesEconomic Losses Hurricane Katrina2005U. S. Gulf Coast states2,000$80 billion Tornado outbreak2011Six southern U. S. states346$11 million Mississippi River Flood2011Mississippi River Valley20$2-$4 billion NWS Office of Observations - Component of the reorganized NWS Headquarters -Aligns programs for optimal management of resources

4. 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

5. Plans for the National Observing Networks  Develop real-time monitoring and reporting capability to support operations  NWS Headquarters reorganization, April 2015 leading to new procedures and approach to managing observations  Regional 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

6. 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 A  Data and metadata access via National Centers for Environmental Information NCEI (archived) and Global Information System Centers (GISC)

7. 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)

8. 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 USGSUSACE IOOSNASA DoDDOT US NavyUS Air Force

9. WIGOS Implementation Status  WIGOS Pilot Project – assisting development of Quality Management processes and procedures  U. S. is exploring quality management options through MADIS  NWS process includes policy, directives and instructions  Implementation is monitored

10. Summary  U. S. NWS Headquarters reorganization is improving observing operations  All observations activities, including monitoring and planning are now in one office  WIGOS implementation progressing  U. S. participating in quality monitoring pilot with WIGOS Project Office Updating national implementation plan in 2016