Summit Results: Working Group Established; Call Issued to Establish Integrated Earth Observation System

Thirty-four nations and the European Commission adopted a declaration identifying priority areas for action to strengthen global cooperation on Earth observations at the United States-sponsored Earth Observation Summit in late July. The declaration also established an intergovernmental working group, known as the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), to prepare a ten-year implementation plan for an integrated Earth Observation System. The United States will be represented in the working group by retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator (and his alternate, Charles Groat, Director of the U.S. Geological Survey). The United States and NOAA will also host the GEO Secretariat, Helen Wood, as the director. Over the coming year, this group will work on the steps for coordinating and sustaining existing observing systems, addressing issues of data management and capacity building, and incorporating user requirements. Read more about the summit and goals set at the summit in the August issue of NOAA Magazine.

Forecast Office Recovering from Storm Damage

A wind gust peeled back part of the roof above the Quad Cities Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Davenport, IA, on August 20, 2003. The roof structure was seriously damaged, but no one was injured, and the Quad Cities NEXRAD radar was not damaged. The forecast staff transferred forecast responsibility to the Des Moines and LaCrosse forecast offices for about 21 hours.

"Amazingly, all personal computers and work station computers came up the next day," said WFO Quad Cities Meteorologist-in-Charge Jim Belles. "Our main casualty was the phone system. A replacement system, sent from our regional headquarters, was installed, configured and operational August 22." Belles said the roof of the leased building was repaired within the week, and "with the exception of a few ceiling tiles that are missing and some cleanup of the walls and carpet, we look great and are fully operational."

Read more details here. More photos of the damage are available on the Quad Cities web site.

NWS Gathering Public Comments on Experimental Product for Aviation Community

The NWS is wrapping up an effort to collect public comments about an experimental product called the Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS) available at the Aviation Weather Center''s web site.

ADDS makes text, digital and graphical forecasts, analyses, and observations of aviation-related weather variables available to the aviation community, and provides access to the experimental Flight Path Tool service and other experimental products developed by the FAA Aviation Weather Research Program. The current results of that effort can be viewed on the experimental ADDS site.

ADDS is a joint effort of NCAR Research Applications Program (RAP), NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL), and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Aviation Weather Center (AWC). The NWS is proposing to support the operational side of ADDS and the Flight Path Tool by September 15, 2003.

People can e-mail comments regarding the ADDS service before September 5, 2003, to ADDS.Comments@NOAA.gov. The subject line should read ADDS COMMENTS.

Overview Presentation Added to NWS New Employee Orientation Program Web Site

Recently, NWS posted a new introduction to the New Employee Orientation Program web site. Visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/employee_orientation/index.htm and click the Overview button on the left part of the screen to view the presentation. It provides an introduction to the program and guides the user through the various sections of the New Employee Orientation web site.

Women's Equality Day Program Includes Regional Deputy Director

In celebration of Women's Equality Day on August 26, 2003, the Anchorage, AK, Federal Women's Program Interagency Committee sponsored a panel discussion on "Women Mentoring Women." The event, held at the University of Alaska Anchorage, had more than 50 participants. Laura Furgione, NWS Alaska Region Deputy Director, was one of four successful women who discussed their careers and shared their experiences.

"There were three basic messages we all emphasized: education and training, networking, and persistence," Furgione said. "Individuals must be willing to step up to the plate and do their jobs to their best ability. They should also capitalize on every opportunity be it travel, outreach, or training. Each situation adds to one's experience and resume."

Click here for the history behind the establishment of Women's Equality Day from the Women's History Project web site.

Also On the Web...
Wyoming Senator and Representative Attend NOAA Weather Radio Dedication Ceremony

On August 23, 2003, personnel from NWS's Riverton, WY, forecast office held a dedication ceremony for a new NWR transmitter in Kaycee. Representative Barbara Cubin and Senator Craig Thomas greeted a crowd of more than 100 people attending the ceremony. The new transmitter was made possible by Federal funding requested by Representative Cubin, Senator Thomas, and Senator Mike Enzi. The ceremony nearly coincides with the one-year anniversary of a devastating flash flood that damaged or destroyed many small businesses in the Kaycee community. A city-wide barbecue, a walking tour of the town, and the dedication of a new visitor's center were also held in conjunction with this event. Read more about the event by clicking here.

Employee Milestones

• Click here to see NEW APPOINTMENTS/TRANSFERS to NWS through August 31, 2003.
• Click here to see RETIREMENTS/DEPARTURES from NWS through August 31, 2003.