The National Weather Service (NWS) FOS has added a new service. The new service is called the Server Access Service and it allows direct user access to product data files located on Office of Systems Operations (OSO) servers. The NWS Telecommunications Gateway will provide a router port for a serial interface at speeds up to T1. The circuit and modem are supplied by the subscriber. As with all FOS connections, the NWS operates on a cost recovery basis. For information on annual maintenance fees for the Server Access Service and a listing of products available through this connection to the FOS, contact Ms. Julie Hayes (e-mail: julie.hayes@noaa.gov).
As of October 1, 1998, the NWS began broadcasting all international data that formerly was available only on the FOS International Data Services (IDS I and II) on NOAAPORT. This includes the "additional data" as defined by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Resolution 40. The NWS adheres to the WMO Resolution 40 on the policy and practice for the exchange of meteorological data. In order to assure continued exchange of weather information between nations NOAAPORT users need to be aware of the restrictions on re-export of "additional data." As parties to Resolution 40, countries are allowed to identify certain additional data and products that may not be re-exported for commercial use. Additional data and products placed on services accessible by the internet without control violate the conditions of exportation. A list of all products identified as additional data and products by the country of origin is available at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oso/addata.shtml.
The NWS encourages U.S. businesses doing business in other countries to avoid conflicts with foreign laws and regulations and to give due consideration to reasonable commercial practices in deciding upon the reintroduction of weather related information into the originating country.
The WSR 88D Build 10 Beta test began on September 21, 1998, and will continue through the end of October at the following locations: Vance AFB, Oklahoma; Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina; Sacramento, California; South Kauai, Hawaii; Norfolk/Richmond, Virginia; Medford, Oregon; Fairbanks, Alaska; Nome, Alaska; and King Salmon, Alaska.
Several changes in the Build 10 software will affect the NEXRAD Information Dissemination Service (NIDS). The software adds a reflectivity product with an 8 level reflectivity display similar in appearance to the layer composite reflectivity products. A new tornado detection algorithm (TDA) will replace the current tornadic vortex signature (TVS) algorithm. The TDA algorithm allows radar operators to choose parameter settings ranging from more detections with more false alarms to fewer detections with fewer false alarms. The operator can also specify the lower boundary height for the low level layer composite reflectivity product. WSR 88D sites will be able to vary the thickness of the low layer as long as the layer thickness is at least 6,000 feet.
NIDS providers will receive the lowest four elevation angles of the base reflectivity and base radial velocity products as well as the lowest two elevation angles of the storm relative mean radial velocity product regardless of how many elevation angles of these products are generated by the Radar Products Generator. Finally, the modem communication rate will increase to 14.4 kilobits per second.
A new Automated Weather Observing Station (AWOS) report has been added to the FOS Domestic Data Service (DDS). The site is:
54Y wil change to ROS on October 8, 1998.
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