October 10, 1985                             W/OM14x2

TO: All Holders of Operations Manual

SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 85-10

1.    MATERIAL TRANSMITTED:

WSOM Chapter B-55, "Distribution and Use of Satellite Data," 24 pages.

2.    SUMMARY

The entire chapter has been revised. Major changes are as follows.

The Chapter is restructured to accommodate the integration of the Satellite Field Services Stations (SFSS) into the NWS.

A brief description of the relationship between the NWS and supporting NESDIS facilities is included.

The responsibilities of and relationships between WSH, Regional Directors, National Center Directors, Area Managers and SFSS Managers are defined.

SFSS products, issuance times, and areas of responsibility are defined.

Backup plans for temporary SFSS outage are defined.

The archival policy for hardcopy satellite imagery is described.

Responsibility for the GOES-TAP distribution service has been redefined to accommodate SFSS integration.

A list of acronyms related to the satellite program is included.

3.    EFFECT ON OTHER INSTRUCTIONS:

This chapter supersedes WSOM Chapter B-55, Issuance 78-17, dated September 18, 1978.

Richard E. Hallgren
Assistant Administrator
    for Weather Services

Issue Date    Org. Code   NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE       Part      Chap.
10-10-85        W/OM14             Operations Manual                            B             55

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1.     Purpose

        1.1 Introduction
        1.2 Description of Data Acquisition and Distribution Facilities

2.    Responsibilities

        2.1 Weather Service Headquarters (WSH)
        2.2 Regional Headquarters
        2.3 National Meteorological Center
        2.4 Collocated National Centers and WSFO's
        2.5 Satellite Field Services Stations (SFSS)
        2.6 Non-collocated Offices

3.    Satellite Field Services Station (SFSS) - Products and Services

        3.1    Satellite Interpretation Message (SIM)
        3.2    Tropical Weather Discussion (TWD
        3.3    Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Analysis
                3.3.1     National Guidance Products
                3.3.2     Regional SST Products
                3.3.3     SST Areas of Responsibility

4.    Responsibilities of Individual Satellite Field Services Stations

        4.1    National Severe Storms Forecast Center - SFSS
        4.2    WSFO San Francisco - SFSS
        4.3    WSFO Washington - SFSS
        4.4    National Hurricane Center - SFSS
        4.5    WSFO New Orleans - SFSS
        4.6    WSFO Anchorage - SFSS
        4.7    WSFO Honolulu - SFSS

5.    Satellite Field Services Station Backup Responsibilities

6.    Archival of Satellite Data

        6.1    SFSS Archives
        6.2    University Repositories
        6.3    NESDIS - National Climatic Data Center

7.    GOES-TAP Distribution Service

        7.1    The GOES-TAP Program
                7.1.1 SFSS GOES-TAP Responsibilities
        7.2    The WSFO-TAP Program

Exhibits:

B-55-1 SFSS SIM Areas of Responsibility
B-55-2 SFSS Tropical Weather Discussion Areas of Responsibility
B-55-3 Sea Surface Temperature Area of Responsibility
B-55-4 SFSS Backup Plan

Appendix:

A - WSOM B-55 Acronyms

1.    Purpose. This chapter provides National Weather Service (NWS) policies on the distribution and analysis of weather satellite data in support of warning and forecasting services. The chapter describes:

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS)/NWS responsibilities for acquisition and distribution of satellite data,

The responsibilities of program leaders at the national, regional, and local Weather Service Forecast Office/River Forecast Center (WSFO/RFC) level,

The formats for the products generated by Satellite Field Services Stations (SFSS),

The responsibilities of individual SFSS's, including station backup plans, and

Satellite hard-copy archival policy.

1.1    Introduction. The NWS and NESDIS jointly provide for the acquisition, processing, distribution, analysis, and archiving of environmental satellite data. NESDIS manages the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) satellite system and acquires satellite data, appends appropriate calibration and navigation information, i.e., temperature values and earth location parameters, and distributes the data to seven NWS SFSS's which are collocated with NWS National Centers or WSFO's. NWS meteorologists at the SFSS's are responsible for analysis and interpretation of the data and for distribution of analyzed products throughout the field structure. Imagery is distributed to NWS National Centers, WSFO's, RFC's, selected Weather Service Offices (WSO's), and Center Weather Service Units (CWSU) located within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Route Traffic Control Centers. NESDIS provides centralized satellite data processing and analysis to the National Meteorological Center (NMC) and the NWS field structure through the NESDIS Synoptic Analysis Branch (SAB) collocated with the NMC.

1.2    Description of Data Acquisition and Distribution Facilities.

Command and Data Acquisition Station (CDA). The NESDIS CDA station located at Wallops Station, Virginia, is responsible for transmitting spacecraft telemetry data to the satellites and acquiring raw Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imagery data. Computers at the facility reformat the GOES data and append calibration and navigation information before the data are retransmitted to the GOES satellite. The GOES satellite transmits the reformatted data to the NESDIS data processing center at NOAA's Central Computer Facility (CCF) located in the Federal Office Building (FB4), Suitland, Maryland.NESDIS CDA stations at Wallops Station, Virginia, and Gilmore Creek, Alaska, also acquire data from polar orbiting satellites. Polar satellite data consist of both TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) data and imagery data from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). TOVS data are sent, via satellite relay, to the CCF for processing into temperature and humidity profiles. These data are used at the NMC as input to NMC's numerical atmospheric models. The AVHRR instrument generates High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) imagery which is acquired at the CDA's and the NWS ground station at Redwood City (San Francisco), California. The imagery is sent to the Central Data Distribution Facility (CDDF) in Camp Springs, Maryland, for distribution through the GOES-TAP system.

Central Data Distribution Facility (CDDF). The NESDIS operated CDDF located in the World Weather Building (WWB) in Camp Springs, Maryland, receives the digital GOES data via a microwave link from the NOAA CCF in Suitland. Computers in the CDDF partition the full-earth disk image into geographical sectors and distribute them in analog format via telephone lines to the seven SFSS facilities. HRPT imagery data are distributed to the SFSS's through the CDDF.

Satellite Field Services Station (SFSS). The seven NWS-operated SFSS's located in Washington, D.C., Miami, Kansas City, New Orleans, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Anchorage serve as regional hubs for distribution of GOES sectors and polar satellite imagery to WSFO's, RFC's, selected WSO's, and CWSU's. A professional staff of meteorologists, hydrologists, and oceanographers provides analysis and interpretation of the data and distributes analyzed products throughout the field structure.

Weather Service Forecast Office (WSFO). Fifty-two NWS WSFO's receive GOES and NOAA polar orbiter imagery from the regional SFSS sites. Twenty-one CWSU's associated with parent WSFO's also receive the data directly from SFSS locations. WSFO and CWSU meteorologists interpret the imagery in support of warning and forecast services within the WSFO/CWSU area of responsibility. As required, additional interpretive services are provided by the SFSS meteorologists.

River Forecast Center (RFC). NWS RFC's receive GOES and NOAA polar orbiter imagery from the regional SFSS locations. NWS meteorologists and hydrologists interpret the imagery in support of meteorological and hydrological warning and forecast services. As required, additional interpretive services are provided by SFSS meteorologists or meteorologists at the NESDIS SAB in Camp Springs, Maryland.

GOES Data Collection System (DCS). Data Collection Platforms (DCP's), operated by government agencies and private organizations, and acquisition components comprise the NESDIS DCS. The system is a data relay network which uses the GOES satellites to relay a wide variety of environmental data transmitted from DCP's throughout the Western Hemisphere to the CDA station at Wallops Station, Virginia. The DCP data are then transmitted via dedicated circuits to the NESDIS DCS Data Processing System (DCS/DPS) in the WWB. The GOES DCS/DPS performs the following functions: (1) schedules activities within the DCS; (2) performs error checks on data; (3) disseminates data; (4) maintains performance histories on each DCP; (5) performs routine system tests to locate failures; and (6) provides continuous real-time operation using redundant computer and communication systems.

GOES DCP Data Distribution System. Within 2-3 minutes of the initial DCP are transmitted to the NO M CCF. NWS processing components include the IBM 4341 communications computer which receives and stores the raw platform data and the NAS 9000 system which decodes and processes the data into products for distribution to WSFO's and RFC's. Routine reports (AFOS category RRA) are packaged by state area and are routinely transmitted every 6 hours over AFOS Regional Distribution Circuits to the appropriate WSFO's. The reports are processed into Standard Hydrometeorological Exchange Format and contain information on precipitation amount, stream level, and standard meteorological parameters such as pressure, temperature, and wind speed/direction. In addition, unique products are created for use in RFC's and and transmitted over remote job entry telecommunication lines. When heavy precipitation is expected in an area, WSFO's and RFC's can initiate special data requests via AFOS to receive more frequent DCP reports.

2.    Responsibilities.

2.1    Weather Service Headquarters (WSH). Responsibility for satellite operations within the NWS resides with the Assistant Administrator for Weather Services. Staff assistance is provided by the Office of Meteorology which will:

Designate a Satellite Program Leader in the Office of Meteorology who will be responsible for general management of the program and the formulation of national satellite program policy,

Develop and coordinate with NMC and NWS regions NWS requirements for satellite system integrity, data, and services,

Work with NWS regions, NMC, NESDIS, and other agencies to meet these requirements,

Formulate training programs for satellite imagery interpretation and analysis for both SFSS and general meteorological personnel,

Designate the Satellite Program Leader to administer the SFSS Technical Support Contract, including coordination of and approval of contract modifications. The NWS representative will also serve on the Technical Support Contract Performance Evaluation Board,

Annually assess the effectiveness of the NWS satellite program, and

In conjunction with NESDIS, plan and implement the service and system modifications within the program, including modifications to the GOES Central Distribution System.

2.2    Regional Headquarters. Administrative responsibility for regional satellite operations resides with the Regional Director. Each Regional Director is responsible for:

Designating a regional satellite program leader who will be responsible for technical and administrative support for the SFSS, WSFO's, WSO's, CWSU's, and RFC's within the regional area of responsibility,

Designating an SFSS manager who will be responsible for SFSS operations, products, and services, 1.]

Contributing to the development of national policy, including operations, training, and implementing final decisions,

Developing, coordinating, and implementing regional satellite policy and guidance, including proposed modifications to the GOES CDDF,

Developing changes in SFSS service or resource requirements with area managers and SFSS managers. When changes involve resources used by more than one region, such as GOES sector or schedule modification, regional representatives will coordinate details and submit a single request for change. Unresolved differences will be decided by the WSH Satellite Program Leader,

Coordinating modifications to the SFSS Technical Support Contract with the WSH Program Leader and the SFSS managers, 1.]

Stimulating and distributing technical studies on the use of satellite data and imagery in support of NWS warning, forecast, and analysis programs,

and 1.]    In regions which have no direct line management responsibility for SFSS operations, items b. and f. do not apply. However, significant regional responsibilities remain and all other functions are appropriate.

Assessing the effectiveness of the regional satellite program and supporting equipment once a year. The assessment is due in writing before October 1 and will be submitted to the Director, Office of Meteorology. The report should contain a summary of product modifications, cross utilization activities, funding issues, training activities, and equipment modifications for the past year and a projection of requirements for the next year.

2.3    National Meteorological Center. Administrative responsibility for satellite operations at the National Severe Storms Forecast Center (NSSFC) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) resides with the Director, NMC. The Director is responsible for:

Designating a national center program leader who will coordinate technical and administrative support for the National Centers,

Designating, through the NSSFC and NHC Directors, an SFSS manager who will be responsible for SFSS operations, products, and services,

Contributing to the development of national policy, including operations and training,

Developing, coordinating, and implementing National Center policy and guidance,

Coordinating proposed modifications to the SFSS Technical Support Contract and the GOES CDDF with SFSS managers and WSH Program Leader, and

Assessing the effectiveness of the National Center satellite program and supporting equipment once each year. The assessment is due in writing before October 1 and will be submitted to the Director, Office of Meteorology. The report should contain a summary of product modifications, cross utilization activities, funding issues, training activities, and equipment modifications for the past year and a projection of requirements for the next year.

2.4    Collocated National Centers and WSFO's. Responsibility for satellite operations at SFSS sites resides with the respective National Center Directors or area managers/meteorologist in charge (AM/MIC). Technical and operations support consists of:

Supervision of the production of products and services for use within both the center or WSFO and throughout the SFSS area of responsibility,

Quality control of SFSS products and services,

Assurance of sufficient staffing and proper work distribution within the facility,

In consultation with the SFSS manager, recommendation of change in content and scheduling of SFSS products and services, including modifications to the GOES CDDF to the regional or National Center program leader, and

In consultation with the SFSS manager, recommendation of changes to regional or national policy to the regional or National Center program leader.

2.5    Satellite Field Services Stations (SFSS). Responsibility for operational production and distribution of SFSS products and services resides with the manager of the SFSS unit. The SFSS manager reports to the AM/MIC or National Center Director. The SFSS manager is responsible for:

Providing first level supervisory authority and assuring the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of all SFSS products and services,

Assessing the user community relative to the content, format, and scheduled issuance of SFSS products and services,

Coordinating with AM/MIC or National Center Director and recommending to regional or National Center program leader changes to content, format, and scheduled issuance of all SFSS products and services,

Monitoring the performance of the SFSS Technical Support Contractor,

Coordinating with the AM/MIC or National Center Director and recommending modifications to the SFSS Technical Support Contract. Recommendations will be forwarded to regional or National Center program leader and WSH satellite program leader,

Coordinating with the AM/MIC or National Center Director on recommendations for modification to regional or national policy and changes to the GOES CDDF,

Encouraging the development and implementation of new interpretive and analytical techniques for satellite data processing technology,

Encouraging the generation and dissemination of technical studies and training materials relating to satellite data analyses and imagery interpretation,

Maintaining 30- to 90-day on-site archives of hard-copy satellite imagery (see sections 6.0, 6.1, and 6.2),

Supervising the operation of the SFSS GOES-TAP services to NWS, other Federal, and non-Federal users within the area served by the SFSS, and

Coordinating with NESDIS Satellite Services Division (SSD) on cancellations or postponement of scheduled GOES satellite maneuvers.

2.6    Non-collocated Offices. Responsibility for the effective use and interpretation of satellite imagery in support of routine warning and forecast service at WSFO's, RFC's, WSO's, and CWSU's which are not collocated with SFSS's resides with the area manager or hydrologist in charge, or CWSU meteorologist in charge. They are responsible for:

Providing administrative and technical support to the site satellite program,

Appointing and providing adequate training for a satellite focal point for on-site activity at WSFO's and non-collocated RFC's,

Maintaining a file of satellite imagery interpretation training material,

Recommending changes in the content, format, and issuance time of SFSS products and services to SFSS manager and regional program leader, and

Recommending changes in imagery format, location, and distribution policy to SFSS manager and regional program leader.

3.    Satellite Field Services Station (SFSS) - Products and Services. SFSS's provide products and services to the collocated NWS facility, and to WSFO's, WSO's, CWSU's, and RFC's within their area of responsibility. The primary function of the SFSS unit is to acquire, interpret, and distribute satellite data and derived products. The SFSS also serves as a center of expertise for the development and implementation of new analytical techniques relative to both subjective imagery interpretation and objective digital satellite data analysis and processing. These efforts often require the preparation and distribution of satellite related-training material, including technical papers, videotapes, and seminars. In addition, the AM/MIC, with regional concurrence, may assign SFSS personnel to related analysis and forecast functions within the facility.

The SFSS's provide broad interpretative and analytical support to regional WSFO/CWSU's and RFC's by generating and disseminating products which include the Satellite Interpretation Messages (SIM) and SIM updates, Tropical Weather Discussions (TWD), and analyses of sea-surface temperatures, cloud motion winds, cloud top temperatures, and snow and ice cover. Consultative services, including derived rainfall estimates, are provided at all times and especially during periods of severe weather or potential flash flooding. The SFSS's interact directly with the NESDIS SAB which works closely with the Heavy Precipitation Branch (HPB) at NMC. These organizations are responsible for providing flash flood/excessive precipitation guidance and rainfall estimates to WSFO's and RFC's. NESDIS Satellite Services Directive (SSD 60-20) "Flash Flood/Excessive Precipitation Support for NWS," and WSOM Chapter E-13 "Flash Flood Program" provide more detail in this area.

3.1    Satellite Interpretation Message (SIM). The SIM is produced every six hours by all SFSS's in all six regions and is transmitted on AFOS Regional Distribution Circuits (or FAA networks) under the category header (cccSIMxxx). Issuance times vary by regional agreement and are listed as follows: 

The SIM will describe and explain existing cloud features relative to both synoptic and mesoscale dynamic features occurring in the atmosphere. Whenever possible, meteorological features depicted by the imagery will be compared to observed or forecast positions depicted by NMC's numerical guidance packages. Trends in the shape, intensity, and movement of meteorological features will be included in the message and will be referenced to geographic or to political boundaries. Whenever appropriate, SIM's will reference messages from neighboring SFSS's. If significant meteorological features exist, SIM's written for oceanic areas may range beyond the boundaries established in exhibit B-55-1. The SIM will be written for the NWS forecaster using commonly accepted meteorological terminology. All abbreviations and contractions used in SIM's will be consistent with FAA Contractions Handbook 7340.1. SIM's may also contain satellite operational schedules, information on GOES-TAP operations, and appended analyses such as cloud motion winds or cloud top temperatures. SIM's adapted for use by a user community outside the NWS, such as the Gulf of Mexico SIM issued by the New Orleans SFSS, may be written in plain language. Exhibit B-55-1 depicts the areas of responsibility for SIM issuance. SIM's will be updated when:

Mesoscale analysis of convection, convective outflow boundaries, relative cloud flow, and other convectively related features suggest the onset of significant convective development, severe thunderstorms, and/or heavy rain producing thunderstorms,

Mesoscale features and cloud motions reveal areas of greatest potential for locally heavy precipitation,

2.]    GMT issuance times are 1 hour earlier during Daylight time.
3.]    WSFO/NEW SIM upgrades for small scale features issued at:

0400Z    1600Z    2200Z

1. The issuance supports, explains, or adds information to a severe weather watch issued by the NSSFC, a severe weather warning issued by a WSFO, or a Satellite Precipitation Estimate (SPE) issued by SAB,
    

    

   Analysis of visible and/or low cloud IR curves give fog and low cloud trends that are important to aviation and marine users and NWS forecasters, and

   Recent imagery indicates unexpected changes or conditions which are significantly different from those described in the most recent SIM and/or the latest NMC guidance packages.

EXAMPLE

MKCSIMMKC
WOUSOO KMKC 292330
MKC NWS/SFSS SIM BASED ON DATA THRU 2300Z

NRN PLAINS/UPR MS VLY...
VORT MAX ERYR NR SRN LK WINNIPEG HAS ROTD NEWD 30KT TO NR 52N/9OW. VORT LOBE TRAILS SWD ACRS WRN LK SUPERIOR TO EXTRM SE MN...BTWN RST/LSE WHERE SRN END IS PUSHING EWD ARND 25 KT. TSTM CLUSTER OVER E CNTRL WI IS AHD OF LOBE AND CONTS TO EXPAND.

UPSTRM MID LVL TROF EXTDS FM NR 55N/94W SWD ACRS EXTRM WRN ONT TO VCNTY AXN AND IS PUSHING EWD ARND 30 KT. THIS FEATURE PRBLY ASSOCD WITH SFC TROF JUST E MN/ND BDR WITH STG WNWLY WINDS BHND IT.

FURTHER UPSTRM...SHRTWV TROF EXTDS FM 50N/98W SWWD ACRS DAKS TO NR PHP. TROF HAS BEEN PUSHING E AT NRLY 40 KT WITH MID CLDS AHD OF IT OVR ERN ND. LFM SHOWS CNDN PTN OF THIS SHRTWV BUT DOESNT EXTD IT FAR ENUF S.

SRN EDGE OF LOW CLDS OVR MAN/SASK HAS CONTD TO PUSH SEWD. SLY COMPONENT OF MOVMT IS ABT 15 KT. CLDS WILL BE AFFECTING NE ND EXTRM NW MN.

CNTRL PLAINS/MID MS VLY... TSTMS OVER NRN AR ARE ASSOCD WITH SFC TROF WHICH CURVES ACRS SERN MO INTO NRN AR. ACTVTY HAS BEEN DRFTG SSEWD ARND 10 KT. TSTMS HAVE ALSO FORMED ALG FNT/TROF FM NE KS SWWD WITH CDST TOPS OVER EXTRM S CNTRL KS AND NW OK.

SERN STATES...WK UPR TROF EXTDS FM EXTRM ERN TN SWWD ACRS NRN AL TO CNTRL MS. TROF IS PUSHING SEWD ARND 10 KT OVR TN WITH LTL MOVMT OVR MS/AL. COPE

3.2    Tropical Weather Discussion (TWD). The SFSS's at Miami, San Francisco, and Honolulu, respectively, support the NHC, Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center (EPHC), and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC). The SFSS at the NHC produces a TWD every six hours and the SFSS's at the EPHC and CPHC produce a TWD every 12 hours. The TWD is distributed on Automation of Field Offices and Services (AFOS) distribution circuits under the category header (cccTWDxxx). Issuance time are listed as follows: 

The TWD will indicate the time and type of imagery used to generate the message and, if appropriate, will reference the latest tropical storm or hurricane advisory. Convective activity associated with tropical storms or hurricanes will be so indicated. All convective activity including intensity, trends, and movement will be described and referenced to latitude-longitude points. Whenever appropriate, cloud features will be related to existing synoptic scale dynamic features in the atmosphere. The TWD will be written in plain language for the general marine, aviation, or meteorological community and will contain all the information previously contained in the Satellite Tropical Disturbance Summary. Exhibit B-55-2 depicts the areas of responsibility for TWD issuance.

EXAMPLE

ZCZC MIATWDMIA
AXCA20 KMIA 230735
TROPICAL WEATHER DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
235AM EST SUN DEC 23 1984

SURFACE ANALYSIS...23/OOOOZ SATELLITE IMAGERY THROUGH...23/0600Z SUBTROPICAL ATLANTIC SOUTH OF 32N... HURRICANE LILI WAS LOCATED AT 23/0400 NEAR 22.0N 59.0W MOVING TOWARDS THE SOUTH SOUTHWEST OR 225 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS. GALE FORCE WINDS EXTEND '00 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE CENTER. NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING OVER THE NORTHEAST QUADRANT. SEE THE LAmanual NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ADVISORY FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

ELSEWHERE BROKEN TO OVERCAST THIN CIRRUS OCCURRING NORTH OF 30N FROM THE SOUTHEAST US COAST TO 62W. SOME SCATTERED SHOWER ACTIVITY EXISTS OVER A 3 DEGREE DIAMETER AREA CENTERED AT 33N63W.

GULF OF MEXICO... A COLD FRONT IS MOVING ACROSS THE NORTHERN GULF WITH LOW LEVEL CLOUDS PRODUCING RAIN MOSTLY NORTH OF 27N AND WEST OF 87W. LITTLE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IS REPORTED ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT.

CARIBBEAN... WIDELY SCATTERED BROKEN LOW LEVEL CONVECTION IS OCCURRING THROUGHOUT THE CARIBBEAN WITH SHOWERS PRESENT OFF THE SOUTHERN COAST OF CUBA.. THE EAST COAST OF THE YUCATAN..AND THE EAST COAST OF NICARAGUA.

TROPICAL ATLANTIC SOUTH OF 15N... THE ITCZ CONSISTS OF A 8 TO 10 DEGREE WIDE BAND OF SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BETWEEN THE EQUATOR AND 9N EAST OF 40W TO 20W. HEAVIEST THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IS OCCURRING OVER A 3 DEGREE DIAMETER AREA CENTERED NEAR 3N25W AND 3N41W. ANOTHER AREA OF MID TO UPPER LEVEL CONVECTION EXISTS NORTHEASTWARD OF THE SOUTH AMERICAN COAST 4 DEGREES EITHER SIDE OF A LINE FROM 8N60W TO 15N48W.

3.3    Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Analysis. Depending on regional requirements, SST analyses are produced two or three times a week by five SFSS's and NOAA's Northwest Ocean Service Center (NOSC) in Seattle, Washington. SST's depict quantitative sea surface temperatures and/or ocean thermal features, such as upwelling, major ocean currents, and associated eddy boundaries, and are produced regionally. SST analyses produced at field sites are based on central guidance produced at NOAA's Ocean Products Center (OPC), a joint NWS, National Ocean Service, NESDIS facility in the World Weather Building, Camp Springs, Maryland.

3.3.1    National Guidance Products. The OPC guidance will consist of numerical hemispheric and large area SST charts generated from a blend of ship reports, buoys, and satellite data which will be disseminated twice a week for both oceans. In addition, the NMC/OPC will prepare the Oceanographic Analysis Chart commonly known as the "Gulf Stream and Loop Current" chart. This chart will be produced twice weekly as a guidance product for WBC, MIA, and NEW.

3.3.2    Regional SST Products. The responsibility for preparation of regional SST and ocean feature analyses will remain with SFSS's at five NWS field offices and the NOSC Seattle. (The NWS field offices are WSFO WBC, NHC MIA, WSFO NEW, WSFO SFO, and WSFO ANC.) Offices producing regional SST analyses are normally staffed with one oceanographer. These offices should ensure adequate training of staff personnel (marine forecasters or satellite meteorologists) in oceanographic functions. This training should be sufficient to continue the production of SST/Ocean Features Analyses products during periods of the oceanographer's absence.

In most cases, SST/ocean features analyses will cover much of the area assigned to the respective WSFO's for marine weather forecasting; however, the specific boundaries are not exactly the same. Coordination of the analyses will be accomplished by telephone. Boundaries need not require exact placement of isotherms. In order to provide consistency in the SST/ocean features program, the procedures below will be followed.

Regional analyses will be hand drawn on a Mercator projection with a scale of at least 1:5,000,000 and will display the NOAA logo. SST analyses isotherms will be drawn and labeled at 1 degree C intervals unless users have strong requirements for more detailed analyses. The products along the west coast will consist only of significant ocean features with isotherm values derived from a combination of analog AVHRR data and ship reports, buoys, and numerical guidance. East coast and Gulf of Mexico regional analyses will consist of two separate analyses, one for quantitative SST (derived from digital AVHRR data) and the other for significant ocean features, such as the Gulf Stream, Loop Current, eddies, etc. The Gulf Stream and Loop Current Charts and the Gulf Stream Wall Bulletin prepared by NMC will be used as guidance.

Regional analysis will use a 3-day composite period for the analysis of SST fields and will use digital, AVHRR imagery data (where available), ship reports, buoys, expendable bathythermographs, and numerical.

Regional analyses will be disseminated two or three times a week through the existing dissemination channels established in each regional area and may be divided into panels if necessary.

Regional analyses will overlap adjacent regional analyses. This will require coordination to ensure continuity between analyses in both time and space.

3.3.3    SST Areas of Responsibility. Regional analyses areas of responsibility are delineated as follows and are depicted in exhibit B-55-3.

 WBC-SFSS - will cover the waters off the east coast to 60EW and between 30E and 46EN. This area covers the eastern states from Georgia north, and the WSFO WBC and WSFO BOS offshore waters. Two primary analyses will be produced, namely, SST and an ocean features analysis. The significant ocean feature analysis will include details on fronts, eddies, and the Gulf Stream. Coordination with MIA is required along the southern boundary. In addition, the WBC-SFSS will produce the East Coast Sea Surface Thermal Analysis chart. This product is an atmospheric ally-corrected, high resolution (14 km) thermal analysis showing mesoscale surface thermal structure and detail.

NHC-SFSS - will cover the Florida Straits and the Atlantic waters between 70E and 85E W and between 22E and 32E N. Two separate analyses will be produced, namely SST and an ocean features analysis. The significant feature analysis will include fronts, eddies, the Loop Current, and the Gulf Stream. Coordination for adjacent areas is required with WBC and NEW.

SFSS NEW (Regional Satellite Ocean Service Unit) will cover the Gulf of Mexico from the Texas/Mexico coast to 81E W and between 22E N and the U.S. coast, as well as the Bay of Campeche. Two separate analyses will be produced, namely, SST and an ocean features analysis. The significant ocean features chart will include the Loop Current and eddies. Coordination with MIA is required for the adjacent area.

SFSS SFO will prepare a combined ocean features and SST analysis for the area from the west coast to 136E W between 20E and 42E N. Coordination with the NOSC SEA is required along the northern boundary.

The NOSC SEA will prepare a combined ocean features and SST analysis for the area from the west coast to 136E W between 40E and 52E N. Coordination is required with SFO and ANC.

SFSS ANC (Alaska Ocean Service Center) will prepare an SST analysis three times a week for the area from the Alaskan Pacific coast to 180E W between 50E and 66E N. A regional significant ocean features analysis depicting ice edge and mixed layer depth will also be produced. Coordination of  SST with NOSC SEA is required along the southern boundary.

4.   Responsibilities of Individual Satellite Field Services Stations. The products and services provided to the NWS field structure and the areas of responsibility for each SFSS are listed as follows. Product formats, product content, and issuance frequency may be modified per regional requirements.

4.1    National Severe Storms Forecast Center - SFSS. The SFSS at the NSSFC in Kansas City, Missouri, is under the jurisdiction of the Director of NSSFC. With respect to NSSFC support, the area of responsibility extends across the entire 48 conterminous United States. The geographic area of responsibility for SIM production includes all of the states in the Central Region except Michigan and the Great Lakes and most of the Southern Region except for the States of Georgia and Florida. The functions of the NSSFC/SFSS include: (1) direct interpretative support to all components of the NSSFC and WSFO's in its area of responsibility; (2) SIM's every six hours including mesoscale updates as appropriate; (3) backup to the NESDIS SAB on SPE's; (4) evaluation of new technology, such as Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) data; and technological systems, such as the Centralized Storm Information System; and (5) snow cover mapping for selected river basins in the north-central and western U.S.

4.2    WSFO San Francisco - SFSS. The SFSS at WSFO San Francisco, California, is under the jurisdiction of the AM/MIC. The SFSS area of responsibility for SIM production, includes all of the Western Region and the high seas warning and forecast area of the WSF0-SFO. The functions of the SFO-SFSS include: (1) SIM's every six hours and SIM updates as required; (2) TWD's twice a day; (3) significant ocean features analyses twice a week; (4) snowcover mapping for selected river basins in the Western Region; (5) interpretative support to the EPHC and WSFO's in the Western Region; (6) the acquisition, analysis, and distribution of polar satellite data; (7) cloud motion wind analysis; (8) fruit frost SIM and fire weather SIM as required; and (9) evaluation of new technology.

4.3    WSFO Washington - SFSS. The SFSS at WSFO Washington is under the jurisdiction of the AM/MIC. The SFSS area of responsibility includes all of the Eastern Region, the States of Michigan and Georgia, and the Great Lakes. Oceanic responsibility extends across the Atlantic to 35E W between 32E and 45E N. The functions of the WBC-SFSS include: (1) SIM's every six hours and SIM updates as required; (2) sea-surface temperature analyses and significant ocean features analyses twice a week; (3) analyses of cloud top temperatures and cloud motion winds; (4) International SIGMET's over the Atlantic Ocean as required; (5) interpretative support to the WBC WSFO, (including the WBC Ocean Services Unit) and other WSFO's in its area of responsibility; and (6) evaluation of new technology.

4.4    National Hurricane Center - SFSS. The SFSS at the National Hurricane Center in Miami is under the jurisdiction of the Chief of the Tropical Satellite and Analysis Center and the Director of the NHC. The area of responsibility of the NHC SFSS for SIM production includes the State of Florida and the oceanic area from 85E to 35E W between 32E N and the Equator. The area for TWD's includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico between 32E N and the Equator. If a tropical depression, tropical storm, or hurricane occurs north of 32E N, the TWD will include a description of the activity. The functions of the NHC SFSS include: (1) interpretive support to the NHC, WSFO's MIA and SJN, and CWSU MIA; (2) SIM's for the State of Florida and high seas waters every six hours; (3) TWD's every six hours; (4) sea-surface temperature analyses and significant ocean features analyses twice a week; (5) cloud motion winds; (6) the evaluation of new technology and meteorological techniques, such as the VAS; (7) surface analyses every six hours for the Atlantic Ocean South of 50E N including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico; and (8) rainfall estimates for WMO Region IV.

4.5    WSFO New Orleans - SFSS. The SFSS at New Orleans is under the jurisdiction of the AM/MIC WSFO-NEW and is integrated with the Ocean Service Unit to form the Regional Satellite and Ocean Services Unit. The geographic area of responsibility includes the Gulf of Mexico (including the Bay of Campeche) west of 85E W and the coastal portions (to 90 miles inland) of the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico from Appalachicola, Florida, to Brownsville, Texas. The function of the NEW-SFSS include: (1) SIM's approximately every six hours; (2) SIM upgrades (including small scale features) routinely produced three times a day; (3) sea surface temperature analyses and significant ocean features analyses twice a week; and (4) interpretive support to the WSFO's, WSO's, CWSU's, and aviation and marine interest in the Gulf area.

4.6   WSFO Anchorage - SFSS. The SFSS at Anchorage is under the jurisdiction of the AM/MIC WSFO-ANC and is integrated with the Ocean Service Unit to form the Regional Satellite and Ocean Service Unit. The geographic area of responsibility includes all of the Alaska mainland and the adjacent marine area north of 50E N and east of a line extending from 50EN, 160EE and north through the Bering Straight. The functions of the ANC-SFSS include: (1) SIM's for the State of Alaska and ocean waters every six hours; (2) sea surface temperature analyses and significant ocean features analysis three times a week; (3) sea ice analyses; and (4) interpretation and distribution of GOES and AVHRR imagery to users throughout the Alaska Region.

4.7    WSFO Honolulu - SFSS. The SFSS at Honolulu is under the jurisdiction of the AM/MIC WSFO-HNL. The SFSS area of responsibility for SIM's is that part of the Hawaiian Islands and surrounding area of interest to WSFO HNL and WSO's Kahului, Lihue, and Hilo. For TWD's the SFSS is responsible for that tropical area from 100E E to 140E W. The functions of the SFSS include: (1) interpretative support to the CPHC/WSFO, WSO's (including remote Pacific Islands), news media, Department of Defense, and selected foreign governments; (2) Hawaiian Islands SIM's three times a day; (3) TWD's twice a day; (4) acquisition and distribution of Japan's Geostationary Meteorological Satellite data; and (5) during hurricane season (June 1 through November 30), Tropical Weather Outlook's twice a day, and Tropical Weather Summaries once a month.

5.   Satellite Field Services Station Backup Responsibilities. In the event of system or data distribution failure at any of the SFSS facilities which temporarily prevents the completion of the site's mission (exclusive of imagery distribution via SFSS-TAP and west coast SST analysis functions), another SFSS will perform the duties of the failed SFSS. In order to reduce modifications to the GOES Data Distribution System and provide for an orderly transition of services and duties, assignment of backup responsibilities will be consistent with the normal flow of GOES and polar satellite imagery and the service functions of the various SFSS's. Exhibit B-55-4 details the backup arrangement for the production of SIM's TWD's and SST's.

6.0    Archival of Satellite Data. Satellite imagery and digital satellite data are archived through three separate mechanisms within NOAA: (1) the maintenance at each SFSS of on-site archives containing hardcopy pictures from the Unifax recorders, (2) the transfer of the pictures to repositories at selected universities, and (3) the permanent retention of digital and image satellite data at the NESDIS National Climatic Data Center in Camp Springs, Maryland.

6.1    SFSS Archives. Each SFSS maintains a collection of all hardcopy prints from the Unifax recorders. These on-site archives provide a source of imagery to be used by meteorologists for retrospective studies of meteorological events and will contain 90 days of pictures. Sites which serve regions with fewer WSFO's, such as the Alaska and Pacific Regions, may maintain 30 days of pictures. Copies are distributed by the SFSS manager to Federal users on request. Requests for imagery from non-Federal users will be resolved at the discretion of the SFSS manager.

6.2    University Repositories. The SFSS manager is responsible for the distribution of the pictures to selected universities after the archival period has expired. Universities cooperating in the program and the supporting SFSS's are listed as follows: 

The SFSS manager is responsible for timely retrieval of imagery from the cooperative university. Upon request, universities are expected to provide temporary return of pictures to the NWS during the first archival year.

6.3    NESDIS - National Climatic Data Center. NOAA's permanent satellite imagery and digital data archives are located at the NESDIS National Climatic Data Center at the World Weather Building in Camp Springs, Maryland. Most imagery and digital satellite data can be retrieved for both Federal and nonFederal users. User fees are assessed. Requests for data should be addressed to:

NOAA/NESDIS - Satellite Data Services Division (E/CC6) Room 100, World Weather Building Washington, D. C. 20233 FTS 301-763-8111

7.    GOES-TAP Distribution Service. Government and private users may obtain GOES and polar satellite data by subscribing to NOAA's GOES Data Distribution System. Satellite imagery in analog facsimile format is available via telephone line from either the seven SFSS locations or the 52 WSFO's which receive the imagery.

7.1    The GOES-TAP Program. The NESDIS SSD is responsible for the overall administration of the GOES-TAP program from the SFSS distribution sites. In this capacity NESDIS will maintain all telephone lines between Wallops CDA, FB-4, CDDF, and the SFSS sites. Configuration control of lines, routing priorities, and communication racks within SFSS's will also be maintained by NESDIS-SSD. Maintenance of the master list of subscribers and the collection of all fees will also be performed by NESDIS.

4.] Winter season imagery only available after 1 year.

Subscribers may receive data directly from an SFSS after completing an agreement with NESDIS to pay both an initial $1,000 installation fee and an annual $100 service fee. The user is entitled to real-time transmission of any image sector available to the SFSS. The user is responsible for acquiring appropriate communications lines and image display equipment. A complete description of the procedures to obtain GOES-TAP services is contained in The GOESUser'sGuide, June 1983. Copies of the GOES User's Guide and information on the acquisition of GOES-TAP service may be obtained from:

NOAA/NESDIS - Satellite Services Division (E/SP2 - GOES-TAP) Room 607, World Weather Building Washington, D.C. 20233 (FTS) 301-763-8051

7.1.1    SFSS GOES-TAP Responsibilities. The NWS-SFSS manager is responsible for the following functions:

    a. Maintaining a list of subscribers to SFSS GOES-TAP facility,

    b. Providing reliable high quality data transmission to subscribers through the SFSS technical support contractor,

    c. Providing consultative and interpretive support as required by the subscriber within the capability of the SFSS, and

    d. Providing information to subscribers concerning changes in data availability, format, areal coverage, and timing.

7.2    The WSFO-TAP Program. Subscribers may receive the same imagery as transmitted to a WSFO by signing an agreement with the NWS. There is no charge for this service. However the user will receive only the imagery being transmitted to the WSFO and will not have the capability or the authority to specify receipt of other sectors. In addition, the subscriber is responsible for the acquisition of the appropriate communications lines and image display equipment. WSFO-TAP users are not encouraged to ask for consultative or imagery interpretation services from the WSFO or SFSS. Information and application forms may be acquired from:

NOAA/NWS
Communications Division (W/OTS3)
8060 13th Street, Room 428
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(FTS) 301427-7766

WSOM B-55 ACRONYMS

AFOS - Automation of Field Operations and Services
AM/MIC - Area Manager/Meteorologist in Charge
AVHRR - Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
CCF - Central Computer Facility
CDA - Command and Data Acquisition Station
CDDF - Central Data Distribution Facility
CPHC - Central Pacific Hurricane Center
CWSU - Center Weather Service Unit
DCP - Data Collection Platforms
DCS - Data Collection System
EPHC - Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
FAA - Federal Aviation Administration
GOES - Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite
HRPT - High Resolution Picture Transmission
NESDIS - National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
NHC - National Hurricane Center
NMC - National Meteorological Center
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOSC - Northwest Ocean Service Center
NSSFC - National Severe Storms Forecast Center
NWS - National Weather Service
OPC - Ocean Products Center
RFC - River Forecast Center
SAB - Synoptic Analysis Branch
SIM - Satellite Interpretation Message
SFSS - Satellite Field Services Station
SPE - Satellite Precipitation Estimate
SSD - Satellite Services Division
SST - Sea Surface Temperature
TOVS - TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder
TWD - Tropical Weather Discussion
VAS - VISSR Atmospheric Sounder
VISSR - Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer
WSFO - Weather Service Forecast Office
WSH - Weather Service Headquarters
WSO - Weather Service Office

WSOM Issuance
85-10    10-10-85