VETERAN METEOROLOGIST TO LEAD
NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE AT FAA ACADEMY

Veteran meteorologist Cyndie Abelman has been appointed meteorologist in charge (MIC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service Office at the Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Oklahoma City, Okla. Abelman replaces Armando Garza, who is now the MIC at the Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Corpus Christi, Texas. The NOAA National Weather Service Office at the FAA Academy provides training and certification for FAA Pilot Weather Briefing (PWB) candidates. NOAA is an agency of the Department of Commerce.

In 1986, Abelman launched her NOAA National Weather Service career at the Weather Service Office (WSO) at Fort Smith, Ark. Two years later, she transferred to the WFO in Fort Worth, Texas where she served as a Journeyman Forecaster. In 1991, she was promoted to the position of Transition Meteorologist at Southern Region Headquarters in Fort Worth and played a major role in support of the NOAA National Weather Service’s modernization program throughout that region. She also served as the region’s Systems Integration Meteorologist (1995 -1997) before moving to the West Gulf River Forecast Center (WGRFC) as a Senior Hydrometeorology and Support (HAS) Forecaster.

During her 17 years with the NOAA National Weather Service, Abelman has received numerous awards and recognition for her leadership and work in upgrading the Automated Field Operation Services (1996), redesigning a Hydrometeorological Discussion product (2000), development of the River Flood Watch (2000), redesigning the WGRFC website (2001) and developing and implementing a teletraining program to help WFOs estimate precipitation (2003).

She was also rewarded for her earlier work (1996) supporting the critical transition from the old, domestic terminal aviation forecast and observation system — to the current, internationally recognized Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and Meteorological Aviation Report (METAR) codes.

“Cyndie Abelman brings a wide range of meteorological, technical and leadership skills to her new position including a solid background in aviation meteorology,” said Bill Proenza, director of the NOAA National Weather Service, Southern Region. “Her experience and dedication will be a considerable asset to the FAA and the private and commercial aviation community.”

Abelman received a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology from Northern Illinois University in 1985.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

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