Straight Talk:
Future Operations Concepts

By General D.L. Johnson
NWS Director

Future operations concepts have been in our conversations for several years and last week's Corporate Board meeting was no exception. While board members agree on the "why" and "what" we need to change, there are a number of pre-decisional concepts under discussion for "how."

Bottom line–we must stay relevant with our customers and partners, the public, Congress, and within NOAA. At the special meeting of the Operations Committee in March, we agreed that our future operations concept should refocus on high-impact events, especially in the short-term; accelerate science and technology infusion; expand our environmental services; and promote organizational efficiency and better utilize expert staff.

History tells us that the modernization of the 1990s was under discussion for many years and took a decade to fund and implement. Our budget pressures indicate to me that we can't take that kind of time. Budget realities and the Program, Planning, Budget, Execution System (PPBES) cycle are forcing factors for us to move out now. Members of the Board are drafting a proposal so we can make decisions about which course to follow in our near-term future. We will use NOAA's NWS Focus to keep you posted.

No matter what approach we take for our future operations, there are three operating principals that I've asked everyone to follow: We will not degrade service; we will provide equal service across America; and we will seek efficiencies and economies in the context of the broader NOAA so we remain responsible stewards of tax dollars. This includes preserving the ability to infuse new technology and new science into the weather service.

Throughout this process let's not lose sight of the number one thing that will not change– our mission: protecting life and property and enhancing the economy. We need to stop and think about the "how" of doing our job. Remaining relevant is dependant on our ability to continue to change.

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Buoy Stations Repaired

NOAA operates six tsunami detection stations in the Pacific Ocean. With the repair of these two stations, all six buoy stations are operational.

The crew, aboard the M/V Casitas, restored station 46401, off the western Aleutian Islands, to service on April 28, and station 46402, off the central Aleutian Islands, on May 1. All six DART stations are now fully operational and reporting water level data to the Alaska and Pacific Tsunami Warning Centers.

"The harsh conditions of the seas and climate in the vicinity of the Alaskan DART stations add a significant degree of difficulty in reaching and repairing these important data collection tools," said Brig. Gen. D.L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), NWS Director. "All those involved from the NDBC and the M/V Casitas did a great job getting the DART stations repaired."

An advanced prototype of the DART II station is being tested in the waters around Hawaii. That system is being evaluated by engineers at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory and the National Data Buoy Center as well as the analysts at the Alaska and Pacific Tsunami Warning Centers.

The United States, with NOAA as lead agency, is currently working with approximately 60 countries, the European Union, and many non-governmental agencies in planning and implementing GEOSS, the Global Earth Observation System of Systems that includes a global tsunami warning system.

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National Data Buoy Center Awards Technical Services Contract

NOAA's NWS National Data Buoy Center announced the selection of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) of San Diego, CA, for the award of its Performance-Based Technical Services contract.

Under the contract SAIC will provide life cycle support for NOAA's Marine Observation Network, other buoy programs including the network of Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) stations and its Data Assembly Center. Contract functions will include assembly, operation, maintenance and repair of buoy and land based environmental data collection networks; operation of the NDBC facilities; testing of existing and new buoy systems; data processing and transmissions; logistics support; quality assurance and safety; and configuration and scientific support for new technology, development and test programs.

Read the full NOAA news release here.

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"Hi-Rise" Fire Weather Project Tested During Prescribed Burn In Texas

NOAA's National Weather Service, Texas Forest Service, USDA-Agricultural Research Station and Canadian-based Aventech, Inc., joined forces recently to test an upper air data collection system designed to aid ground crews battling forest fires or other hazardous events.

Dubbed the Hazardous Incident–Rapid In-flight Support Effort (HI-RISE), the project used an aircraft-mounted meteorological sensing instrument during flyovers of a prescribed burn at Camp Swift, a Texas National Guard training site in Bastrop County, near Austin.

Developed by Aventech, the experimental instrument package was equipped with the sensors and an IRIDIUM satellite telemetry system allowing it to collect and transmit vertical upper air sounding data (wind speed/direction, relative humidity, air pressure, temperature) via the satellite to Incident Meteorologists (IMETS) at the burn site–in real time. Some flyovers reached a height of 13,500 feet.

NOAA NWS Southern Region Fire Weather Program Manager Paul Witsaman (kneeling-no hat) poses with USDA-ARS Coordinator Brad Fritz (rear) and TFS ground crew (Photo by Jan Amen, TFS)

National Weather Service Southern Region Fire Weather Program Manager Paul Witsaman and WFO San Antonio Forecaster Monte Oaks were on hand for the test, along with IMETS Greg Murdoch and Seth Nagle (WFO Midland/Odessa). Science and Operations Officer John Zeitler also received the data in real time at the office in San Antonio and used it to produce parallel fire weather forecasts in support of the on-site incident team.

Witsaman believes the project represents a real leap forward in fire weather forecasting and management.

"We've never had this kind of data at a fire incident before," he said. "We always had to rely strictly on ground level observations. This allows us to produce more accurate spot fire weather forecasts in real time–and with a much higher degree of confidence."

Witsaman says additional tests in Texas and Idaho are possible this year and hopes more will follow. "HI-RISE could become a standard weapon in the arsenal incident commanders use to manage prescribed burns, wildfires and other hazardous incidents. As the system continues to prove its utility and if funding is available–that could happen within the next five years," he added.

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Girls Explore Science Careers in Wyoming at the 2005 Women in Science Forum

By William T. Parker, Meteorologist-In-Charge
NOAA, NWS WFO Cheyenne, WY

Rockets built by junior and senior high school girls soared to 400 feet over the University of Wyoming recently as part of the 2005 Women in Science Forum. May 10, 2005, marked the seventh annual forum hosted by the Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Cheyenne, WY. Nearly 300 girls attended the day-long event, meeting and interacting with professional women representing various science and technology disciplines. Students traveled as far as 250 miles from Buffalo, WY, in the northern part of the state, to attend this year's event.

Students launch rockets from Prexy's Pasture on the University of Wyoming campus as part of the 2005 Women in Science Forum on May 10, 2005.

The Women in Science forums have provided mentors and role models to students in an attempt to "put a human face" to science and to pursue science careers. This year was no exception. Joy Crisp, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory senior scientist on the Mars Rover Expedition, was the featured speaker. She led the girls on a first-hand exploration of Mars. Crisp joined other professional women scientists from the University of Wyoming, government, and the private sector. Wyoming's first female FBI agent, Melinda Casey, participated this year along with Pat Diebert, a biologist from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Sherra Cook, a free-lance medical illustrator and animator. Forum topics included: botany, robotics, geology and geophysics, molecular biology, engineering, botany, mathematics, zoology, renewable resources, sports medicine, physics, and astronomy.

Major sponsors for this year's event included: NOAA, the Cheyenne NWS WFO, Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium, Western State's Learning Corporation (WSLC). Other sponsors included Wells Fargo Bank, Laramie County School District #1, Cheyenne Kiwanis, the Cheyenne Zonta Club, the University of Wyoming President's Office, and the College of Agriculture Renewable Resources and Molecular Biology Departments at the University of Wyoming. An important feature of the forums over the years has been the growing partnership between the public and private sectors. The Cheyenne WFO has strived to develop a winning relationship that benefits youth in Wyoming, and each year the project has grown in interest and support. While the focus is on girls and young women, several boys have also participated. "The focus has really been on all youth, and ultimately our Nation's future success" says Jennifer Stark, the Cheyenne Senior Forecaster and project coordinator.

Acting University of Wyoming President, Tom Buchanan, kicked off the day's activities. Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal issued a proclamation recognizing May 10 as Women in Science Day. The students attended a day of science which featured first hand accounts of science careers presented by actual scientists, the students visited science laboratories, and they built and launched rockets from the student commons.

An added feature to this year's event was a special presentation by WSLC on planning for college and developing strategies that work for getting a college degree.

"Our goal in doing Women in Science Forums," says Stark, "has been to create excitement in girls about considering science careers. We think the effort has proven valuable looking back over the past seven years. I personally know of some success stories, and this makes the effort worthwhile."

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Also On the Web...
WFO Marks Anniversary of Destructive Tornado

On May 11, 1970, a deadly F5 tornado ravaged the city of Lubbock, TX, resulting in 26 fatalities, over 1,500 injuries, and approximately $200 million in damage.

As part of a one-hour ABC television special, Season on the Edge, WFO Lubbock Warning Coordination Meteorologist Brian LaMarre emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership between NOAA's NWS and local media and emergency management in preparing the public for severe weather and pro-actively disseminating warning information. The special, which aired on Lubbock's KAMC Channel 28 on April 21, 2005, reviewed how advances in weather technology, enhanced scientific training for NWS forecasters, and the widespread availability of critical NWS weather and warning information have evolved since the May 11, 1970, devastating tornado.

Read more here.

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Snapshots

Click here for a look at photos we've received from around the NWS.