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National Weather Service
FY 2000 Annual Operating Plan

(Condensed)

March 8, 2000

(A pre-release version of this documents was published on January 7, 2000. This is the final version based on the approved NWS Fiscal Year 2000 Annual Operating Plan.)

Contents

Mission

Planning Assumptions/Overview

1.0 Program Information/Planned Accomplishments
1.1 NWS Objectives
1.2 NWS Performance Measures
1.3 NWS Milestones

2.0 Management Issues
2.1 Diversity
2.2 Affirmative Action
2.3 Employee Development and Training

3.0 Other Information
3.1 Legislative Issues
3.2 Minority Serving Institutions

Mission


The National Weather Service provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database and infrastructure which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public and the global community.

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Planning Assumptions/Overview


The NWS FY 2000 Operating Plan is based on an appropriation of $656.9M. The OR&F account is $601.4M, $37.7M above the FY 1999 appropriation, while the Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction (PAC) account is $55.5M, $43.3M below the FY 1999 appropriation.

Funding levels provided in the appropriation will enable the NWS to continue to improve weather, water and climate services and achieve the goals of the NOAA and NWS Strategic Plans. The plan also supports key Departmental program initiatives including the Natural Disaster Reduction Initiative and Climate in the 21st Century.

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1.0 Program Information/Planned Accomplishments


1.1 National Weather Service (NWS) Objectives

The NWS supports three of NOAA's Strategic Planning goals (Advance Short-Term Warning and Forecast Services, Implement Seasonal to Inter-annual Climate Forecasts, and Predict and Assess Decadal to Centennial Change) and will continue to examine potential involvement in other NOAA-related activities. The milestones in this plan are listed in accordance with the five major goals in the NWS Strategic Plan: 1) Deliver Better Products and Services, 2) Capitalize on Scientific and Technological Advances, 3) Exercise Global Leadership, 4)Change in the Organizational Culture, and 5) Manage NWS Resources.

1.2 NWS Performance Measures

Performance measures have been modified to better align with the goals and objectives of the NWS Strategic Plan. Measures have been added for winter storm warnings and aviation and marine forecasts.

Measures of Performance/Service Improvements:
 
1999
Actual
2000
Goal
2005
Goal
Tornado Warning
Lead Time (minutes)
12
 12
15
Accuracy (%) 70 70 80
False Alarm Rate (%)
72
 65
40
Flash Flood Warning
Lead Time (minutes) 40 55 65
Accuracy (%) 82 86 90
Winter Storm Warning
Lead Time (hours) 11 12 18
Accuracy (%) 85 85 90
Hurricane Warning
Lead Time (hours)
19
 20
25
Aviation Forecasts (Ceiling/Visibility)
Accuracy (%)
19
 20
29
False Alarm Rate (%) 52
50
 26
Marine Forecasts (Wind/Wave)
Accuracy (%) 50 51 65
Precipitation Forecasts
Accuracy of 3-Day Forecast (%) XX 20 30
(XX - 3-day precipitation forecast not issued in 1999)

1.3 NWS Milestones

Deliver Better Products and Services

Public Services

Climate Services Aviation Services Marine Services Fire Services Flood Forecasting and Water Management Emergency Management


Capitalize on Scientific and Technological Advances

Research to Operations

Technology Exercise Global Leadership

Increase U.S. participation in international activities

Foster national/international education efforts


Change the NWS Organizational Culture

Enhance professional development and training program

Increase representation of women and minorities Implement human resource and management practices to support NOAA mission Place decision and budget authority at lowest and most effective levels


Manage NWS Resources

Integrate Planning and Evaluation

Leverage Information Technology/Infrastructure Ensure Cost Efficiency Return to Top

2.0 Management Issues

2.1 Diversity

In FY 1999, the NWS appointed a new Diversity Coordinator, established a Diversity Council, and developed a Managing Diversity Webpage. FY 2000 activities include:


2.2 Affirmative Action

The NWS will continue to support the NOAA Affirmative Action Plan. All recruitment efforts within the NWS promote hiring practices independent of age, class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion, or language. NWS will continue to foster and promote opportunities for advancement, training, and challenges for all. In FY 2000, NWS has established a goal of increasing representation and promotions for women and minorities by 1%.

NWS Affirmative Action activities in FY 2000 include:

2.3 Employee Development and Training

The NWS places a high priority on employee development and training. In FY 1999 the NWS implemented a National Strategic Training and Education Plan (NSTEP) to integrate and prioritize training requirements. In addition to the training activities outlined in section 1.3, NWS will complete the following employee development and training actions in FY 2000:

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3.0 Other Information

3.1 Legislative Issues

FY 2000 Congressional earmarks are identified below:

 3.2 Minority Serving Institutions

The NWS will increase its relationship with Minority Serving Institutions including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities.

The NWS will increase direct and indirect assistance to Minority Serving Institutions by $200K in FY 2000. Specific activities include:


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