A. NOAA
Weather Wire Service (NWWS)
B. Emergency
Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN)
C. Interactive
Weather Information Network (IWIN)
D. National
Weather Service Family of Services (FOS)
E. NOAAPORT
F. Private Weather
Companies
1. System Description:
The NWWS is a satellite-based telecommunications network designed
to disseminate weather watches, warnings and other products--over 6000
in all--in the shortest possible time and with the highest possible reliability.
The current system, which has been operated for 12 years, is being replaced
with a more modern system with greatly enhanced capabilities.
2. Type of Data and Format:
The primary data is text, with headers identifying the type of product,
origination, and applicable time period. The current NWWS uses AFOS Product
Inventory List (PIL) headers and the new NWWS will use World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) headers. These headings bring weather products into
conformance with international standards. The enhanced capabilities of
the new NWWS will allow transmission of limited graphics products in the
future. The differences in header formats are explained at the DynCorp
Web site: http://www.weatherwire.net
3. Cost:
DynCorp is offering purchase and also financing options available
over various time frames. In addition, they are offering pricing incentives
if customers order by a specified date. All pricing and ordering information
can be obtained at DynCorp's Web site:
4. Reliability and Speed:
By using C-band satellite communications, high availability, even
in bad weather, is provided. In addition, the new NWWS has automatic dial
backup at all transmission sites to provide a backup path for watches and
warning in case of failure of any part of the system, be it satellite or
terrestrial. This also provides a means of continuous operations even during
sun outages. The specified availability for the data link is 99.9%. The
products are transmitted at a data rate of 9.6 Kbps (compared to 1.2 Kbps
for the present system) and a broadcast rate of 64 Kbps as compared to
7200 bps. The current system also provides improved performance on timeliness.
Whereas the current NWWS specifies that warnings are delivered within one
minute 98% of the time, the new NWWS will deliver these warnings in 10
seconds or less 98% of the time.
5. Equipment Required:
In order to accommodate the enhanced capabilities, a larger antenna
than the current one is required. Therefore, the current 0.75 meter diameter
antenna will be replaced by one with a 1.8 meter diameter for most locations.
A single receiver will replace the two units currently required, i.e.,
the controller and the selector (SIS) box. End users will be able to select
their products in a user-friendly environment using a standard Windows-based
PC (user-supplied).
6. Obtaining Service:
Commercial end users may contact DynCorp for service at (800) 633-2340
or at their Web site:
They offer three options:
7. Point of Contact:
Contact DynCorp at (800) 633-2340. Information can also be found
on their Web site.
B. Emergency
Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN)
1. System Description:
EMWIN is a continuous 24/7 9.6 KBPS uncompressed, open, and non-proprietary data broadcast from GOES 8 and GOES 10 satellites on a frequency of 1690.775 MHz. It contains live warnings, watches, advisories, and most routine products that are currently on the existing NOAA Weather Wire System (NWWS). EMWIN also contains satellite imagery and graphics.
The signal currently can be received from space in areas from Western
Europe to Australia (East to West) and from the lower Arctic to the higher
Antarctic (North to South). A fairly extensive web site with details about
EMWIN satellite broadcast and in some areas radio reception, data formats
and a list of weather product categories can be found on the internet at
http://weather.gov
(under EMWIN links selection).
2. Type of Data and Format:
The types of data include all standard warnings, watches, advisories,
and routine data including state forecasts, short term forecasts (NOWcasts),
zone forecasts and most routine NWS products.
3. Cost:
The cost of a satellite system capable of receiving this data stream
ranges from under $1K for a minimum system to over $7 K for top of the
line multiple satellite monitoring systems with automatic switchover capabilities.
The service and broadcast from GOES satellites themselves is free to all.
The broadcast is free. The service itself is free. Any users cost consists
of obtaining, installing, and configuring the type and level of system
they require for their needs.
4. Reliability and Speed:
The satellite system has a high reliability and availability 24/7
with some short outages of several minutes duration at satellite midnight
during GOES satellite eclipse periods in the spring and fall. Data transmission
speed is 9.6 KBPS uncompressed.
5. Equipment Required:
The equipment required is a satellite receiver to receive the signal,
a personal computer to run software to display, alarm, and do optional
items such as calling pagers with desired information. It can be made more
robust at the user end by use of UPS and backup power capabilities if needed.
For example, even when local infrastructure may be damaged due to storms
or similar events, the signal is still available from satellite if the
user has made arraignments for electrical power to a receiver and a computer.
A list of EMWIN vendors that have variations of systems, software, and
options can be found at
http://weather.gov.
Most of these sites have extensive details and in depth information.
6. Obtaining Service:
Anyone with the right equipment can receive the EMWIN datastream
service.
7. Point of Contact:
Contact Ken Bashford at Kenneth.Bashford@NOAA.gov.
1. System Description:
IWIN is an internet site with live data very similar to EMWIN data.
It is open to any and all users and contains live warnings in addition
to many routine categories of NWS products. IWIN depends on the availability
of the internet which is not always possible during major weather events
due to connection problems either at the user end or at NOAA/NWS due to
current Internet bandwidth limitations.
2. Type of Data and Format:
The types of data include all standard warnings, watches, advisories,
and routine data including state forecasts, short term forecasts (NOWcasts),
zone forecasts and most routine NWS products.
3. Cost:
Cost to user is normal access to a personal computer and access to internet, etc. The service itself is free.
4. Reliability and Speed:
This site is used millions of times per day and is one of the highest level of use weather sites in the world.
Data for IWIN is gathered at the primary NWS headquarters telecommunications
facility and has been operational for over 5 years on 24/7 basis. It is
recommended that due to the nature of all technology, that users consider
multiple methods of obtaining data under all situations to allow for redundancy
and increased reliability.
5. Equipment Required:
IWIN can be very easily accessed and used by any personal computer
on the Internet with any standard browser. The address is http://weather.gov
or http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov.
6. Obtaining Service:
Anyone with Internet access can obtain IWIN.
7. Point of Contact:
Contact Ken Bashford at Kenneth.Bashford@NOAA.gov.
1. System Description:
External user access to near real-time weather and flood data and
information is available on a family of alphanumeric, graphic, and imagery
data communication services accessed in the Washington, D.C. area. The
Family of Services (FOS) consists of seven services (1) the Public Product
Service, (2) the Domestic Data Service, (3) the International Data Service
(4) the High Resolution Data Service (5) the Digital Facsimile Service,
(6) the AFOS Graphics and, (7) the Server Access Service.
The Public Product Service (PPS) of the FOS, carries all public warnings
and watches, and various hydrological, agricultural, and miscellaneous
forecasts and products.
Detailed information about the PPS can be obtained from the following
web pages:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oso/fospage.shtml
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oso/oso1/oso15/fos/fos.html
2. Type of Data and Format:
All products appearing on the data services are identified by abbreviated
headings that conform to World Meteorological Organization standards and
procedures.
3. Cost:
a. If obtained from commercial providers (see item #6 below) the
cost varies.
b. If obtained directly from the National Weather Service.
The annual subscription fees for the PPS is $4,000.
4. Reliability:
99.8% reliability.
5. Equipment/Circuit Required:
If you obtain service directly from the National Weather Service,
you will need the below equipment and data circuit connection. If you arrange
for service from a commercial provider, they will inform you regarding
the equipment you need.
Data Modem
Motorola 326X (Note: detail information on the 326X modem can be
obtained from the following web page: http://www.motorola.com/networking/products/tran.html
Circuit
Dedicated
Half-Duplex
Point-To-Point (From User Site to Washington, D.C. )
D1 Conditioning
Data Line
9.6Kbps
Silver Spring - Transmit
User - Receive
Asynchronous Transmission 9.6Kbps
NWS/AT&T Circuit No.: FDEJ111498.ATI
AT&T Point-of-Contact: 703-691-6193
6. Obtaining Service:
You can get the PPS by contacting one of the below FOS Direct
Subscribers. Note that the list of companies and individuals is intended
purely as information with no implied endorsement by the NWS.
1. Alden Electronics
40 Washington Street
Westboro, MA 01581
Contact: Lorraine Smith
Phone: 1-800-225-9492 ext. 2464
E-Mail: smithl@alden.com
2. DYNCORP (Formerly GTE)
15000 Conference Center Drive Rm.131
Chantilly, VA 22021
Contact: Mike Dowgiello
Phone: (703) 818-5854/5500/4850
E-Mail: michael.dowgiello@gsc.gte.com
3. Kavouras, Inc
11400 Rupp Drive
Burnsville, MN 55337-1279
Contact: Jim Block/Bob Larson, Tech. Svc.
Phone: (612) 890-0609
E-Mail: jblock@kavouras.com
4. UNISYS Corporation
P.O. Box 1226
221 Gale Lane
Kenneth Square, PA 19348
Contact: Andy Lang
Phone: (610) 444-2433
E-Mail: andrewjlang@unn.unisys.com
You can also get the PPS by becoming a direct subscriber to the FOS by contacting Julie L. Hayes at:
or by writing to:
National Weather Service
Telecommunications & Dissemination Branch, W/OSO151
1325 East West Highway Station No. 5432
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Attn: Family of Services Program Leader
The request should state: (1) the service you want, and (2) the name
and telephone of the person to contact in your firm.
1. System Description:
The NOAAPORT broadcast system provides a one-way broadcast communication
of NOAA environmental data and information in near-real time to NOAA and
external users. This broadcast service is implemented by a commercial provider
of satellite communications utilizing C-band frequencies over the GE-4
satellite.
NOAA data is collected by a wide variety of stations and observing
systems and are sent to the NWS Telecommunications Gateway (NWSTG) in Silver
Spring, Maryland. Weather data is collected by GOES satellite environmental
sensors and NWS observing systems, and processed to create products. The
products are fed to the AWIPS Network Control Facility (NCF) which routes
the products to the appropriate NOAAPORT channel for uplink and broadcast.
Nearly all of the data that is collected by the NWS, will be available
for use on all of the four channels of NOAAPORT.
A more extensive description of NOAAPORT is provided in the NOAAPORT website at
www.nws.noaa.gov/noaaport/html/noaaport.shtml
2. Type of Data and Format:
NOAAPORT products have the following characteristics:
4. Reliability and Speed:
Of the four NOAAPORT channels three are full T-1 bandwidth, for the
NWS Telecommunication Gateway products, GOES-East and GOES-West. The fourth
channel, operating at half-T-1 bandwidth, contains unprocessed GOES Data
Collection Platform (DCP) reports. Selected imagery from other satellites
will also be made available on the fourth channel.
A NOAAPORT Operational Readiness Demonstration (NORD) was conducted
for a 31 day interval in May 1998 to measure the data transmission performance
of the NOAAPORT satellite broadcast network (SBN) service.
5. Equipment Required:
6. Obtaining Service?
Users may get service by constructing, purchasing or leasing a NOAAPORT downlink, as described previously under Equipment Required. No registration or other contractual agreement with the NWS is required.
7. Point of Contact:
For purchase or leasing of equipment, contact the vendors identified
in the NOAAPORT website listed below under the "Manufacturers List." For
technical information on NOAAPORT, contact Julie Hayes or David Helms at
the telephone numbers and addresses given in the same website.
www.nws.noaa.gov/noaaport/html/noaaport.shtml
Obtain service from private sector meteorologist or weather service
companies. The National Weather Service Industrial
Meteorology web site provides links to private weather service
provider home pages as well as a directory of private weather services
organized by State. For more information, contact the IM staff at Phone:
(301) 713-0258.