Remote Automated Weather Stations. The
Forest Service, along with other agencies, operates
an extensive network of automated weather stations.
Automated weather stations provide valuable local weather
information for various land management functions.
Find out more about them on our RAWS
web site.
Weather Information Systems. The Weather
Program provides critical weather information for the
various Forest Service needs. The Weather Information
Management System (WIMS) provides access to National
Weather Service (NWS) information and data collected
locally for fire danger and flooding.
Coordination with National Weather Service.
The program provides a key link with the various programs
of the NWS:
- assuring data quality standards for the 1200 remote
automated weather stations operated by the agency
nationally
- providing satellite support for data transmission,
and
- providing forecasting products that meet managers'
spot weather forecastsneeds.
Participation on National Drought Commission.
The Forest ServiceWeather Program is an active participant
in the National Drought Commission. This Commission,
established by Congress, completed a report on the situation
in the United States and possible mitigation.