Letter from the Assistant Administrator

I am pleased to present the National Weather Service (NWS) Strategic Plan.

Weather, water and climate affect each of us everyday - whether it's a tornado or flood that threatens life and property, a severe weather outbreak which disrupts air traffic, or just a minor inconvenience due to hot and humid weather. The National Weather Service has the responsibility to provide weather, water and climate information to protect life and property and enhance the economy. We have met this responsibility for many years and, I hope you would agree, we have done it well.

However, population growth, vulnerable infrastructure, and an increasingly interdependent economy are creating new challenges for the Nation - including increased vulnerabilities to weather and climate. At the same time, science and technology are rapidly advancing and providing potential solutions that will enable the National Weather Service to better meet our country's needs. This strategic plan is our best effort to anticipate service needs in the 2020 time frame, project what science and technology will allow, and establish meaningful outcome-oriented goals and objectives for NWS 2020.

The plan also provides a strategic framework that will guide our organization and investment over the next ten years. We hope this strategy will prepare NWS to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future - continuing to deliver today's mission and expanding to meet the growing needs of the country.

Our Strategic Plan is aligned with NOAA's Next Generation Strategic Plan and is the result of a collaborative effort among our employees and the NWS Employees Organization (NWSEO), NOAA and NWS management, and our partners in the public, private and research sectors. Our success in executing the plan will depend critically on teamwork - within NWS and NOAA and with our partners in the public, private and academic communities. We will continue to closely collaborate with our NOAA colleagues as we develop more detailed strategies and implementation plans.

Our success depends on the capabilities of all of NOAA. Collectively, we must be creative and innovative in our thinking, willing to embrace change and committed to achieving success that will benefit all Americans - especially during challenging economic and budgetary times. Following this path will enable NWS to become more capable, better equipped and more agile in providing service to our country -- providing more timely, high-quality weather, water and climate information for decision makers at all levels and contributing to safer, healthier, and more productive communities, ecosystems and economies.

 

 

NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services
and Director National Weather Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration