NOAA's National Weather Service Director of the southern United States, Bill Proenza, just named Joe Arellano, Jr. the new meteorologist-in-charge of the Austin/San Antonio, Texas Weather Forecast Office.

Arellano brings to his new position 28 years experience in meteorology, including his most recent position as meteorologist-in-charge of the Corpus Christi WFO. He is familiar with the Austin/San Antonio WFO, having served as lead forecaster there from 1987 to 1993. In addition, he has served the Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tampa, Fla., Brownsville, Texas, and the NWS Agricultural Weather Service Center in College Station, Texas. He will head all forecast operations for the capital region of Texas, including responsibility for severe weather forecasts and warnings so critical to public safety. In addition to his extensive experience, Arellano is a meteorology graduate from Texas A&M University. He has received numerous achievement and service awards during his career with the federal government.

"I'm thrilled to be returning to the Austin/San Antonio area," declared Arellano. "Once again, I'll be working with some of the finest people in the National Weather Service." He added, "I'm looking forward to forging strong partnerships with emergency management officials, the media, and corporate America in the area to insure we'll continue to provide excellent services and deliver timely warnings to protect life and property in one of the most extreme weather prone areas of the country. The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data in this country, and plays a vital role in the national public safety and in support of the economical well being of our nation."

Arellano, a native Texan, was born in McAllen. He and his wife, Celia, have two children.