NOAA Economic Statistics Document Updated

A new revision of Economic Statistics for NOAA is available here. The booklet compiles economic statistics relevant to NOAA's mission and programs. The statistics serve as a common reference to the economic impacts and benefits of NOAA programs and provide a consistent set of economic data for NOAA management and staff to use when preparing for Congressional visits and testimony, budget preparation, speeches, and other external events.

The NWS economic impact statistics were compiled and verified by the Strategic Planning and Policy Office at NWS Headquarters. If you have any additions to offer, send them to us at NWS.Focus@noaa.gov. Be sure to include the original source information (where published, when, author if known, and any other pertinent information so the information can be verified).

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Working Together to Save Lives:
Manager Conducts Remote Weather Observation Station Training

by Delores Clark
NWS Pacific Region Public Affairs Officer

Getting to Wake Island is not easy and once there, you may get to leave in a few hours or you may have to stay a few days. A former active military base, Wake Island sits in the middle of the ocean, a 7 1/2-hour flight southwest of Honolulu, HI. The island is no longer serviced by commercial airlines even though it is an important refueling stop and emergency landing site for aircraft transiting the Pacific. Infrequent military flights or charter flights are the only air transportation available.

Pacific Region Surface Program Manager David Meek has conducted training in many Supplemental Aviation Weather Reporting Station (SAWRS) locations in the Pacific. He recently gave his second SAWRS training class on Wake Island. A pilot himself, Meek enjoyed flying aboard an Air Force C130, and appreciates the skill required to land on the small atoll. At 2.5 square miles, Wake is 11 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC.

"It is small in size but huge in strategic location and history," Meek said, referring to Wake's significant role during World War II. About 200 people reside there but most are on one-year contracts.

The Wake Weather Service Office closed in 1997, but the Pacific Region still maintains weather observation equipment there. Wake is one of the few landmasses in the data-sparse Pacific. It is a reporting point in a large area of ocean with little or no ship observations. As in other regions, forecasters rely on Supplemental Aviation Weather Reporting Station (SAWRS) cooperators to provide METAR observations, critical to aviation safety. SAWRS cooperators are trained to observe and record winds, weather, sky condition, temperature and dew point, altimeter, and explanatory remarks. The certification process includes a closed-book, 50-question test with a minimum passing grade of 80.

One of the SAWRS observers has made Wake Island his home for the past 30 years. After business hours on Wake, Meek managed to do some diving during the nine days he waited on a return flight to Hawaii.

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Plans Set for 50th Anniversary of Operational Numerical Weather Prediction Symposium

The 50th Anniversary of Operational Numerical Weather Prediction is the topic for an upcoming Symposium planned for June 14 - June 17, 2004, at the University of Maryland Inn and Conference Center in College Park, MD.

Jointly sponsored by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA), the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC), the American Meteorological Society, and the National Weather Association, the Symposium celebrates the formation of the Joint Numerical Weather Prediction Unit (JNWPU) on July 1, 1954, which was staffed by members of the U.S. Weather Bureau, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy.

"The symposium offers a unique opportunity to learn about early, current, and future operational numerical weather prediction [NWP] throughout the United States," said Louis Uccellini, Director of the National Centers of Environmental Prediction and Co-chair of the event. "People won't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event."

The origins of NCEP, AFWA, and FNMOC can all be traced to the JNWPU. George Cressman was the JNWPU's first Director, and then became the National Meteorological Center's (NCEP's precursor) first Director, a post he held until leaving to become Director of the Weather Bureau in 1963.

NCEP alumni Norm Phillips and Jim Howcroft will make featured talks about their early roles in making operational numerical weather prediction a viable and valuable addition to the forecast process. Former Directors Fred Shuman, Bill Bonner, and Ron McPherson also will participate. Several international NWP pioneers will talk on the development of international operational NWP, and the conference will highlight discussions of the future of numerical weather prediction.

See the conference web site to register, and for more information, including the full program and a description of a number of historical displays that will be on hand.

For more information, contact Lauren Morone by e-mail at Lauren.Morone@noaa.gov.

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University Assignment Program Opportunities Available

NWS recently began searching for applicants to the 2004 University Assignment Program (UAP), which offers opportunities for both full-time and part-time training assignments in job- or career-related study at accredited educational facilities.

"The program enables employees to keep abreast of advances in science and technology and other innovations within their occupational fields," said Greg Mandt, Director of the Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services. The program also provides an opportunity for employees to learn new skills or develop and improve abilities needed in current or future positions.

Scientific and technological advances require NWS employees (meteorologists, hydrologists, computer specialists, and other professionals) to keep up with current advances in mesoscale meteorology, marine weather, oceanography, hydrology, advanced numerical prediction, information technology, and other job-related disciplines. In addition to these specialties, applicants should consider studies which encompass the planned use of new technology and which span or combine two career specialties. All staff is also encouraged to broaden their communicative, interpersonal, leadership, and managerial skills.

Employees selected for university training assignments remain in their current positions while in training status.

To apply for this program or for more information, contact your supervisor. Applications are due by May 21, 2004.

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Honor Roll:
Administrator Award Winners Announced

Two NWS employees and nine NWS employee teams will receive NOAA's top personnel award for their achievements during the May 25, 2004, NOAA Administrator's Award ceremony.

"The contributions from these awardees is appreciated and worthy of the highest recognition," said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. D.L. Johnson, NWS Director. "The many NWS people being recognized by the NOAA Administrator is a tribute to all of the hard work going on throughout the Weather Service to support the NOAA mission. Congratulations to all the honorees!"

The Administrator's Award is a combination honorary and monetary award designed to recognize NOAA-specific contributions. The award consists of a plaque and $5,000. In the case of group awards, the $5,000 is split equally among the members. Administrator's Awards are granted to individuals and groups; each winner receives an engraved plaque signed by the Under Secretary. Winners are recognized annually at a formal ceremony held in May in Silver Spring, MD.

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Cost Management Question of the Month

Jeffery Cupo from Southern Region is the April cost management Question of the Month winner. His correct answer of $23,097,000 was based on the Office of Operational Systems third quarter cost in Fiscal Year 2003. Congratulations Jeffery!

May's cost management Question of the Month is:

Systems play an integral role in the NWS strategic mission. Which two "Systems" Cost Objects demonstrated the most significant cost reduction between the first quarter and second quarter of FY 2004. Name the two cost objects and the dollar amount of decrease for each.

The following link provides a clue and contains the answer:

http://rims.nws.noaa.gov/qotm/coqc_nws.pdf.

E-mail your answer to Natalie.Robinson@noaa.gov no later than the last working day of the month. The first correct answer received wins an NWS shirt.

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Employee Milestones

• Click here to see NEW APPOINTMENTS/TRANSFERS to NWS through April 30, 2004.
• Click here to see RETIREMENTS/DEPARTURES from NWS through April 30, 2004.

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