To conclude a documentation of the April 27, 1999, workshop begun in the last IM Update, I have posted the rest of the workshop agenda including view graphs and handouts from speakers below. Action items will be completed and reported in later IM editions.
10:15 am: NOAAPORT Issues Panel, Vico Baer, Dave Helms, Charles Piercy, Julie Hayes, Richard Thigpen
Discussion Points:
Partners defined a need for an evaluation of the placement of the Communication Control Block (CCB) in NOAAPORT headers by the Network Control Facility (NCF). Currently there is too little differentiation between headers. In addition, the NWS needs to advertize how it plans to deal with mixed mode (text/graphics) products. Follow ups to these action items will be posted on the NOAAPORT homepage at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/noaaport/html/noaaport.shtml.
A constituent also articulated a need to create a web based search mechanism to locate definitions of AWIPS/NOAAPORT headers. While there are close to 100,000 products, NWS has taken an action item to create an AWIPS Product Catalog similar to the Family of Services Products Catalog of years past.
A partner commented that redbook graphics products on NOAAPORT are segmented but the headers do not indicate this. NWS indicated that this will change with the current implementation of AWIPS Build 4.2 software which will define the full product--as is currently the case with GRIB products.
There was finally a question on the expansion of products on NOAAPORT. Dave Helms from the NWS Office of Meteorology took the action on providing to the user community the NWS long term plans for product expansion.
10:45 a.m.: WSR-88D Update, Bob Saffle
Discussion Points:
The current WSR-88D software and computer hardware have reached the limits of their computing capacity and communications capability. Bob pointed out the future capabilities to mitigate the range folding problems and to transmit higher resolution data in the planned "Open systems" improvements to the current Radar Product Generator software and hardware. These improvements are dependent on future funding levels.
11 a.m.: ASOS Product Improvement, Marty Deiseroth/Doug Gifford
Discussion Points:
Marty and Doug reviewed planned ASOS instrumentation improvement schedules.
Partners have a need for SPECI (special) NWS ASOS observations to report temperatures to a tenth of a degree. NWS will look into the possibility of converting temperature readings to report to the nearest tenth of a degree.
An additional attendee noted that a number of ASOS sites only produce a 6 group for precipitation an not a 7 group with 24 hour precipitation. OSO will take action to review the issue and provide an update to the attendees.
11:15 a.m.: Future of NGM and Model Output Statistics (MOS), Paul Dallavalle
Discussion Points:
The good news is the decision that NCEP and the Techniques Development Lab (TDL) will run the NGM MOS output until April 2001. A new Aviation MOS guidance package will extend out to 72 hours and initially be available in November of 1999 to allow at least a one year overlap with the current NGM MOS Output (verification results will be available on the TDL web page).
MOS guidance is available in ASCII and BUFR (binary format). BUFR data though is available for more locations. While both formats are useful, partners felt that there should be more advertisement of the BUFR data by TDL.
In addition, TDL is working on an ETA thunderstorm MOS package. The partners in attendance encouraged TDL to look into developing a complete ETA MOS package.
11:30 a.m.: Requirements Process, Rich Lane
Discussion Items:
Rich Lane outlined the new NWS Requirements Generations process. A full description and tracking document for active requirements are posted on the OM home page at: http://www.oso3.nws.noaa.gov/oso3/rgpp.
It should be made clear how partners can be more involved in the requirements process. They would like to participate in a pro-active mode rather than reactive. NWS will look at methods to educate partners on the requirements process and to ensure they have ample opportunity for input. One approach may be via the Internet. The NWS should investigate the use of a list server.
1 p.m.: Storm Prediction Center, Joe Schaefer/Paul Janish
Discussion Points:
Severe Watch By County
Constituents expressed a strong desire for the NWS to produce a consolidated list of counties when a watch is issued.
Recommended Action(s): As plans for watch by county solidify, the NWS should strongly consider the issuance of a single list of all counties included in a watch. In order to decrease errors within the county list, before a watch is disseminated, the SPC and all impacted WFO's will coordinate and agree as to which counties will be included in the proposed watch.
Partners would like watches issued by the SPC differentiated by type. When receiving the watch message, there is no specific coding to indicate if the watch is a tornado watch or severe thunderstorm watch. One solution is to change the WW designation in the third line of the watch message. It currently is: SPC WW ddhhmm, where dd is day, hh is hour and mm is minute. For example, the WW could be changed to WT for a tornado watch and remain WW for severe thunderstorm watch.
Recommended Action(s): SPC should investigate the feasibility of this change and the potential impacts of this change on all systems of dissemination.
Experimental Probabilistic Convective Outlook
Discussion Points:
When implementing the Probabilistic Convective Outlook, consideration should be given to the following comments:
2 p.m.: Zone Forecast Products, Mike Mathews
Discussion Points:
Attendees feel that winter weather products are becoming a dumping ground for the inclusion of various warnings. For example, a winter storm warning, a winter weather advisory and high wind watch may appear in the same product. Winter weather products should have better segmentation or each warning should be placed in a separate product.
Proposed Action(s): Policy regarding the WSW and NPW products should be reviewed and clarification provided to partners and NWS field offices.
Partners indicated frustration over so many WFO's issuing zone forecasts for each state. For example, seven WFO's issue zone forecasts for North Carolina. Partners would like the zones compiled by state.
Recommended Action(s): Methods for compiling zones by state should be investigated.
Partners indicated that it is difficult to know which WFO to call if they have questions about NWS forecasts and warnings.
Recommended Action(s): The NWS should investigate identifying a single point of contact per state (one WFO) regarding all products issued for the state. Solution could be to designate the office who will be issuing the State Forecast Product or the WFO located at the state capitol. Whatever method is chosen, this office should be prepared to speak on statewide issues.
2:45 p.m.: Short Fused (Bullet Style) Warnings, Dan Petersen
Discussion Points:
Partners indicated that short-fused warnings (tornado, flash flood, severe thunderstorm, special marine) products are not consistently following proper segmentation procedures.
Recommended Action(s): NWS Headquarters should draft a letter to all Meteorological Service Division chiefs for them to reinforce to their field offices the need for consistent segmentation.
Partners indicated that the use of a "text crawl" across a television screen is a very popular method for the dissemination of NWS short-fused warnings. However, problems arise with the text crawl if the bullets are too long and wordy.
Recommended Action(s): Draft a letter to all Meteorological Service Division chiefs for them to reinforce to their field offices the need for short bullets with less wordiness. Additionally, NWS should inform the media regarding the possible use of the EAS stream to create a text crawl.
On May 19, 1999, the House of Representatives passed by voice vote an Authorization Bill for the atmospheric side of NOAA.. The Bill, if passed by the Senate and signed by the President (i.e. enacted into law), would abolish the 1890 Organic Act and regulate the division of weather services between the National Weather Service and the commercial weather industry. The full text of the Bill and a transcript of the debate as well as the committee report has been posted on the NOAA Legislative Affairs Home Page at: http://www.legislative.noaa.gov/.
Dr. D. James Baker has announced that Gregory W. Withee will be the new Assistant Administrator for the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) effective May 23, 1999. Over the 18 years that Greg has been with NOAA, he has worked in three of NOAA's line offices. Most recently, he was Deputy Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services. Greg replaces Dr. Robert Winokur who recently retired from NOAA.
The GOES-L Launch previously scheduled for May 23, 1999, has now been delayed to at least June 11, 1999. The second stage engine has not yet been cleared for flight by the manufacturer. GOES launch information and imagery are available on the web at http://www.nnic.noaa.gov/SOCC/SOCC_Home.html.
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