A veteran cooperative observer was one of 12 people killed over the Thanksgiving weekend when a severe outbreak of killer tornadoes raked portions of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama

Maggie Johnson, 73, a cooperative observer since 1988, reported observations to WFO Memphis from her home in Sledge, MS. "Miss Maggie," as she was known to her NWS friends, was known for her accuracy and dedication to duty during the most severe weather conditions. Miss Maggie, her small home and weather observation station are all gone now - but she will be remembered.

"We always lament any weather-related death," said James Duke, meteorologist in charge of WFO Memphis. "But when it's one of our own - the loss and the pain is so much keener. Maggie Johnson was part of our family and her death is hard to take."

Miss Maggie's station was called "Sledge Two North" representing an area of approximately 25 miles around Sledge. She was one of 125 cooperative observers reporting to WFO Memphis.

"We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Maggie Johnson," said Bill Proenza, Director, NWS Southern Region Headquarters. "Like thousands of cooperative observers across the nation, Mrs. Johnson gave generously of her time and energy because of her interest in weather and dedication to our country. We honor Maggie Johnson and her colleagues for their sacrifices and commitment."

Zwemer Ingram, data acquisition program manager for WFO Memphis, said, "We'll get somebody else to do it - but we will never replace Miss Maggie."

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Volunteers who support the NWS Cooperative Observer Program have begun to receive national recognition on The Weather Channel. On the first Wednesday of each month, The Weather Channel will recognize a "Cooperative Observer of the Month" in a one-to-two-minute segment as part of its "Evening Edition" programming. The first observer featured on December 5th was Dr. Jerome Thaler of Yorktown Heights, NY, who provides observations to WFO Upton, NY. Thaler recently published the book, "Weather History and Climate Guide of the Lower Hudson Valley," and has been an active cooperative weather observer with the NWS Upton office since 1964. "This demonstrates the tremendous importance of our more than 11,000 volunteer observers and their contributions to the Nation," said Andy Horvitz, COOP Program Manager. The cooperative observations are critical for monitoring local weather conditions, understanding climate variability, and supporting climate verification forecasts. The next segment is scheduled to air on The Weather Channel January 2, 2002, between 9 and 10 p.m., and again between 10 and 11 p.m. (EST).

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NWS Headquarters is inaugurating a new directives system. Over the next year, this directives system will replace the Weather Service Operations Manual. The NWS Directives System (NDS) will include policy directives, procedural directives, and supplements. The goal of the NDS is to be efficient and effective, easily understood and accessible, and completely electronic.

To facilitate the implementation of the NDS, three separate training sessions were held on November 15 and 16, 2001. Each training session included an overview of the NDS and a writing session led by instructors from the United States Air Force Academy.

The Management and Organization Division of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for managing, and providing guidance on, the new NDS. Information on the NDS can also be found at its Home page at www.nws.noaa.gov/directives. The Home page is currently a work-in-progress.

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At the 26^th National Weather Association Meeting in Spokane, WA, in October, a number of people from the NWS earned awards. NOAA's NWS Focus previously recognized Bob Johns, who received the Fujita Research Achievement Award, but we didn't have the full list of awardees. Here are the others - congratulations to all!

Group Operational Achievement Award:

Jere Gallup, Jack Gross, Russell Pfost, Guy Rader

NWS/WFO, Miami, Florida - "For providing outstanding warning services to the citizens of the upper Florida Keys when a tornado spawned by Tropical Storm Mitch tore through in November, 1998."

Individual Operational Achievement Award:

Elizabeth Quoetone, NWS/Office of Climate, Water & Weather Services, Warning Decision Training Branch, Norman, OK - "For developing Warning Decision Making training workshops to include a better understanding of the elements of the decision making process resulting in improved severe weather warnings and public service."

Larry R. Johnson Special Award:

NWS Radar Web Display Project Team (Susan Beckwith, Jack Bushong, Dennis Cain, Jeff Cotterman, Jay R. del Cano, Allan Darling, Roland Devoe, Mary Desjardins, John Feldt, William Gery, Thomas H. Grayson, David Kitzmiller, Janet Miller, Robin Miller, Larry Mooney, Fredrick R. Mosher, William P. Murray, Thomas Piper, David Ruth, Joe Sullivan, Fortune Vilcko, Ken Waters, Peter Weiss, and David Zaff) - "For designing, procuring, testing, and implementing a new operating concept within a short time period and within budget to display WSR-88D data on NWS Internet sites for all to use."

25th Anniversary Award:

Stephen W. Harned and all members of WFO Raleigh, NC - "In grateful appreciation for their time and talents in planning and organizing all the activities associated with the NWA 25^th anniversary celebration."

Forecaster Training Opportunities Highlighted

Ensemble Prediction Systems: Pete Manousos, NCEP/HPC SOO, developed a Web-based training module titled "Ensemble Prediction Systems for Operational Forecasters" which is posted on COMET's SOO Training Resource Center. Access it at http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/ensembletraining/. The module is intended to provide a practical introduction to ensemble forecasting and operational use of NCEP's ensemble products. The training incorporates terminology, visualization and interpretation techniques, as well as strengths and limitations of EPS. It will require from 60 - 90 minutes to review.

Numerical Weather Prediction Course On-line: To date, 179 NWS meteorologists have successfully completed the Understanding NWP Models and Their Processes distance learning course at http://meted.ucar.edu/nwp/course/index.htm . No doubt many others have reviewed parts of the course. In completing the NWP Distance Learning Course, forecasters can choose to view each element of each module (recommended for interns or others unfamiliar with NWP or those highly interested in the topic), or they can choose to view the minimum path required for each module. The minimum path includes the core material experienced forecasters will find most beneficial in refreshing their understanding of NWP.

Upon completing the course, students take a short on-line exam based on the questions included in each module. A certificate of completion will be issued to those with a passing score of 75 percent. Because you will need a fresh memory of the material when you take the exam, we recommend you complete the modules within two to four weeks if possible. However, because the modules can be demanding, don't try to take more than one module per day. The total time to complete the course is between 16 and 20 hours.

See the thank you note to NWS Director Jack Kelly from the White House Office of Management and Budget following Director Kelly's appearance with OMB Director Mitch Daniels at a National Press Club luncheon last week.

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NOAA's NWS Focus-

I would like to draw attention to some staff members in my NWS office in Eureka, California. Our secretary, Lynn Stover, was diagnosed with cancer early this year. She was forced to remain at home while dealing with radiation treatments that left her too weak to work her regular schedule. After she began feeling better, Lynn wanted to resume some of her duties, but still felt too weak to come to work.

Our Electronics Systems Analyst (ESA), Don Dodd, took a computer to Lynn's home and set it up for her with the software that she would need to work on office needs. He was able to connect Lynn to her computer at the office via PC Anywhere. Now Lynn does time cards, can check her e-mail, and access all the forms that are stored at her desk PC. She is able to transfer files from her home computer to the one at work, and can even send files to the printers at work.

Lynn should be commended for wanting to work, despite serious, life-threatening illness. Don should be commended for finding a way to help Lynn do her job from home.

Crystal Trulove
Hydrometeorological Technician,
National Weather Service Forecast Office, Eureka, CA

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