Director's Dialog:
Wind Profiler Network Status

What is the status of the wind profiler network? Specifically, will there be enough funding to at least maintain the current network? If so, will there be funding for additional profiler sites? If funding is not available, why not? The reason I ask is because the profilers have been very valuable tools for operational forecasting of both warm and cold season hazardous weather. For example, SPC forecasters found profiler data beneficial in evaluating model performance during the May 3, 1999, Oklahoma/Kansas tornado outbreak (and I'm sure they use profiler data routinely in generating their convective forecasts).

Also, several forecasters use profiler data routinely to assess model performance in the winter, especially with respect to the magnitude and location of impending storms. I only wish that we had more of them in strategic locations throughout the United States. The bottom line is that we use these data extensively in operations (and research that benefits operations), and they are a very important data source. Thanks for your feedback.

Matthew Bunkers, NWS Rapid City, SD

Thanks for the question.

Profilers are valuable in forecasting rapidly evolving weather where small-scale short-lived features are a significant factor. We are working with Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) to develop a strategy for increasing the density and timeliness of observations over North America to improve your ability to detect and forecast these weather events. This strategy needs to incorporate profilers, Meteorological Data Collection and Reporting System (MDCRS), non-NOAA mesonets, FAA radars, and others into the existing observational data stream we acquire today.

These additions are expensive. We will incorporate this strategy in our program planning and budget request through NOAA. Work on the next budget submission cycle is about to begin and, if successful, will provide funding in FY 06.

We face challenges as we move forward:

• Profiler dollars must compete for funds with MDCRS, mesonets, other observation systems, AWIPS, and NEXRAD. However, we are confident we can develop an executable strategy.
• The Europeans are launching search and rescue satellites and beginning in FY 06 we will no longer have the ability to use the frequency of the Midwest profiler network. There is an approved frequency window we could use; however modifications to the existing network are expensive. We will need to factor this into the integrated strategy. The FY 04 President's Budget did not provide funds to keep the existing network active. We are working with FSL to address this challenge.

Finally, profilers provide important information and we are committed to ensuring our integrated observing strategy and systems provide the best information to you in the field.

– Jack Kelly, NWS Director

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Corporate Board Committee Addresses IFPS Issues

With operational implementation of the Interactive Forecast Preparation System (IFPS) and National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) set to begin this fall, NWS corporate managers are working with the field to address issues associated with nationwide implementation.

The Science and Technology Committee (S&TC) of the NWS Corporate Board and a team from NWS field offices, called the Science and Technology Action Team (STAT), met on March 26-27, 2003, in Kansas City, MO. The STAT, which includes the regional Scientific Services Division chiefs, joined the committee to discuss the challenges and limitations of the IFPS.

The IFPS discussion stemmed from a white paper by six Western Region Science and Operations Officers (SOOs), which concludes with eight major recommendations for future direction of IFPS implementation. Western Region is planning a workshop on May 6-8, 2003, to address the recommendations.

"We are in a time of change. Winners get ahead of change. IFPS represents a major change in the way we produce products and services--one which holds great potential for our customers and for our forecasters. As with any such change, there are scientific challenges," said Jack Hayes, Director of the Office of Science and Technology.

"The Science and Technology Committee has taken the lead for the Corporate Board to address seminal science questions relating to our IFPS plan," Hayes said. "Using experts from the field and the headquarters, we will develop a strategy and roadmap to infuse the necessary science and technology into the NWS to ensure IFPS is a success."

The S&TC will establish a standing IFPS Science Steering Team that will attend the workshop. The committee will also establish a Technology Steering Team to address information technology (IT) needs such as AWIPS, telecommunications, and other needs IT required to meet IFPS and other operational requirements. These teams of field experts, with headquarters members serving only as facilitators, will continue to examine the current IFPS situation and follow through with positive and proactive changes to the IFPS based on recommendations from the SOO white paper and the workshop results. Ultimately, the teams will develop recommendations for the corporate board on the optimal agency direction to take for digital forecast preparation.

The S&TC was chartered to provide coordinated direction on corporate level science and technology topics and issues facing the agency, and is chaired by Hayes. Other voting members include Gary Carter, Director of the Office of Hydrologic Development; Dennis McCarthy, Director, Central Region; Bill Proenza, Director, Southern Region; Louis Uccellini, Director, NCEP; and Barry West, Chief Information Officer; David Rogers, Office of Weather and Air Quality Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; and Marie Colton, Office of Research and Applications, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, are non-voting members of the S&TC.

NWS Office Director Earns Federal 100 Award From Federal Computer Week

Federal Computer Week magazine recently recognized Jack Hayes, Director, Office of Science and Technology with a "Federal 100 Award" for technology excellence and leadership for 2002.

Hayes earned the recognition for his leadership in moving the NWS Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) to the open-source Linux operating system. The move is expected to improve performance and simultaneously save hundreds of millions of dollars in hardware purchases, maintenance, operations, and licensing fees over the next 20 to 30 years.

Radar Operations Center Engineer is NOAA Employee of the Month for April

Engineer Mark Betsch of the NWS Radar Operations Center (ROC) in Norman, OK, is the April NOAA Employee of the Month. Betsch was recognized for managing both the Evansville, IN, and Brandon, MS, NEXRAD radar projects.

As Evansville Project Manager, Betsch led the project through a series of challenges, from leasing a temporary radar to developing technical specifications, acquiring a site, procuring a system, and installing the permanent radar. Data from the new NWS Tri-State Doppler Radar near Owensville, IN, will be used by forecasters at five NWS offices to provide low-level radar coverage to 70 counties in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Betsch's teamwork, leadership, and commitment helped the NWS complete the project under budget and four months ahead of schedule.

Betsch simultaneously managed the relocation of a radar from Jackson, MS, to a new, optimal coverage site at Brandon, MS, and installation of an alternate training system for the U.S. Air Force. He managed to use radar assets from an Air Force training NEXRAD for the Brandon site, ensuring that the "old" Jackson NEXRAD provided continuous radar coverage during the establishment of the new radar site.

"Mark's broad technical background, diplomatic leadership style, and measured tenacity were pivotal in completing these two very complex radar projects," said Ed Berkowitz, ROC Program Branch Chief. "His management of both projects simultaneously was nothing short of remarkable, and we're very proud to see him recognized as NOAA Employee of the Month."

NWS Severe Convection Forecasting, Warning Professional Development Series Updated

An updated version of the NWS Severe Convection Forecasting and Warning Professional Development Series (PDS) is now available.

The PDS is based upon the specific job responsibilities for developing forecasts and warnings of severe weather in an NWS Forecast Office.

"The document allows all NWS forecasters, especially Science and Operations Officers (SOOs) and Training Officers, to assess individual training needs and locate available training associated with developing severe weather forecasts and warnings," recommends Brad Grant, Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Service's Warning Decision Training Branch (WDTB) instructor and PDS focal point.

The WDTB in Norman, OK, updated the PDS, which was originally defined by a team of NWS SOOs, National Severe Storm Laboratory (NSSL) research scientists, and NWS training representatives.

WDTB added a new unit, "Post-Event Assessment," to address training needs associated with science, technology, and human factors that contribute to success or failure during a severe weather event.

The updated PDS can be found at: http://www.nwstc.noaa.gov/nwstrn/d.ntp/meteor/svrpds.html.

Weather Channel to Broadcast Five NOAA El Niño Specials in April

The first in a series of joint video projects between NOAA and The Weather Channel (TWC) is set for broadcast in late April 2003.

The five-minute El Niño specials will be broadcast, one per night, the week of April 21, 2003, between 9 - 11 p.m. EST on TWC Evening Edition. Here are the individual episode titles:

• April 21 - El Niño Overview
• April 22 - El Niño and Hurricanes
• April 23 - El Niño and Convective Weather
• April 24 - El Niño and Winter
• April 25 - El Niño's International Impacts