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IHFS Vision
Statement
The mission of
the Hydrologic Research Laboratory is:
"The Hydrologic Research Laboratory (HRL) supports
the National Weather Service (NWS) hydrologic services program through
the design, development, and implementation of hydrologic forecast
tools and techniques for use at NWS River Forecast Centers and Weather
Forecast Offices. In support of this mission, HRL conducts studies,
investigations, and analyses leading to the application of new scientific
and computer technologies for hydrologic forecasting and related
water resources problems. HRL sponsors and conducts applied research
in order to gain a better understanding of the physical processes
and phenomena involved in the evaluation and prediction of water
movement in all phases of the hydrologic cycle. Research and development
support for the hydrology-related components of major NWS projects
is provided, notably the NEXRAD and AWIPS. HRL personnel provide
training and implementation support on hydrologic forecasting techniques
in support of the NWS hydrologic services program."
It is HRL's vision "To be recognized by our customers
as the best provider of hydrologic expertise and support in the
public sector."
In support of this mission and vision,
the Integrated Hydrologic Forecast System (IHFS) will provide a
more effective system of tools and techniques for use at River Forecast
Centers (RFCs), Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and supporting headquarters
offices.
Scope
IHFS will perform
all functions necessary to support hydrologic forecast operations
conducted at RFCs and WFOs.
IHFS functions include:
- data ingest
and analysis
- hydrologic
analysis and forecasting
- hydrologic
product preparation
- general
scientific development functions required for analyzing and testing
new science in the context of the operational system
- calibration
functions
IHFS functions
do not include:
- Data collection
functions external to the WFO or RFC such as HADS
- Communications
and other system level functions that are provided by NWS-wide
systems such as AWIPS
Functions specific
to the development of new science that are not required for analysis
and testing in the context of the operational system
Operational
Mission Goals
- Usability:
Improve the ability of forecasters to determine and specify system
and science parameters required for hydrologic analysis and generation
of forecast products
- Operational
Effectiveness: Improve the analysis and forecast effectiveness
of field forecasters by providing more effective software tools.
- Product
Improvement: Improve support for the introduction of new
data types, new analysis and forecast science and procedures,
and new forecast products
Architectural
Goals
- Human
Resources: Improve utilization of human resources by:
- reducing maintenance effort
- using more effective system technologies
- reuse and sharing of software components
- using common data structures and techniques
- using a common look and feel for all system users including forecasters,
hydrologic developers, and system developers
- providing on-line, context sensitive help and documentation material
- Product
Improvement: Enable the incorporation of evolving system
technologies that support the Operational Mission and Architectural
Goals
- Portability:
Improve system portability and the capability for technology transfer
through the use of commercial off-the-shelf products and through
adherence to standards where possible and appropriate
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