Bjarne
February 2001

Bjarne Hansen, Meteorologist
New Brunswick Weather Centre
Meteorological Service of Canada
Environment Canada
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
E-mail: bjarne.hansen@ec.gc.ca

ZAMG's responsibilities include all activities usually carried out by a national meteorological and geophysical service:

Meteorological and geophysical questions connected to the protection of the environment

A climatological and geophysical survey of Austria

Practice-oriented research in the complete field of meteorology and geodynamics including related sciences

Advisory and counselling service; expert opinions

Promotion of international co-operation between meteorology and geodynamics and other sciences

Gathering, treatment and storage of the results of meteorological and geophysical examinations

Co-operation with domestic and foreign as well as international meteorological and geophysical institutions

Information, advice and warning in cases of crises and incidents as well as natural and environmental disasters

• risk of earthquakes
• examinations of the ground
• vibration measurements
• aspects of climatology and environmental meteorology
• weather forecasts during construction

We provide information and advice to the energy sector for the efficient use of conventional and alternative resources.

Research institutions and technicians can use our meteorological and geomagnetical measurement series.

We provide immission analyses and forecasts to industry and trade within the framework of examinations on the compatibility with the environment.

We supply trade and industry with measurements and evaluations in the field of environmental meteorology and geophysics.

These measurements are carried out with sate-of-the-art technology.

In agriculture, which is highly dependent on the weather, decisions on the right moment to water the crops and on when to harvest and what pesticides to use are taken with our help.

We provide the media with news and forecasts for a period of up to ten days.

Law courts and insurance companies use our comprehensive data archive to support their judgements of damage.

Our forecasts help the road winter service to increase road safety, reduce personnel cost and cost of material and preserve the environment by using not more than the required amount of grit and thawing agents.

Tourism, mountaineering and sports profit both from our specific forecasts and from our world-wide data archive for holiday planning and leisure activities.

We use special geophysical methods to solve archaeological problems and find contaminated sites.

In a country with a large territory like Brazil, with significant climatic variability, high quality meteorological forecasts are necessary for the development of socio-economic activities, especially agriculture. At CPTEC it is possible to foresee arid and humid conditions sufficiently in advance to help decision making for the civil defence, hydro-electric power generation and manangement of hydrological resouces. Also there is an important contribution to the transport, food supply, tourism and passtime sectors. The computer system and the data base at CPTEC will give a big boost to the meteorological research in the country to improve our knowledge of important atmospheric phenomena.

Regular meteorological observations have begun since 1887 and systematic hydrological measurements are available since 1920.

CMA Department

General Office

Dept. of Forecasting Services and Disaster Mitigation

Dept. of Observations and Telecommunication

Dept. of Science, Technology & Education

Dept. of Planning & Finance

Dept. of Personnel & Labor

Dept. of Policy & Regulations

Dept. of International Cooperation

Organization

National Meteorological Center

National Satelliter Meteorological Center

Chinese Academy of Meoeorological Sciences

National Climate Center

Institute of Strategic Development & Overall Planning

China Meteorological Press

China Meteorological Newspaper Office

Logisic Dept.

Chinese Meteorological Society

31 Provincial Meteorological Bureaus

311 Prefectural Meteorological Offices

2188 County Weather Stations

Operational Institutions and Universtities

Nanjing Institute of Meteorology

Beijing Institute of Meteorology

Chengdu Institute of Meteorology

Zhanjiang Meteorological School

Nanchang Meteorological School

DMI takes part in a number of international research programmes, primarily in projects on environment and climate under the European Commission’s framework programmes for research and technological development. Examples of such activities are DMI’s participation in the European stratospheric ozone experiments, a number of projects focusing on climate variability and regional climate changes, and environmental projects: for instance, in relation to the Nuclear Fission Safety Programme. DMI also plays an active role within the ESA (European Space Agency) Earth Observation Programme.

The Authority carries out researches for special purposes  whether for the civil sectors or the military sector according to special agreements between the two parties.

L'ENM, le SCEM et le CNRM sont regroupés sur la Météopole de Toulouse.

Around 2,700 staff members at more than 130 locations in Germany - this is our idea of overall presence. With our six major branch offices in Hamburg, Potsdam, Essen, Leipzig, Stuttgart and Munich, as well as our headquarters in Offenbach, we can be found in every region of the Federal Republic. With our approximately 20 further smaller branches, there is always a contact in your vicinity in Germany.

We have set up a customer liaison group to provide a more formal forum for direct communication and exchange of views between the Observatory and users of aviation meteorological services and are looking into the possibility of setting up other customer liaison groups.

Providing weather forecasts and warnings to the general public through the mass media and warnings to aviation, industry, marine operations, agriculture, defence forces, etc.

Supervising meteorological services for aviation as the official Israeli "Designated Authority" according to International Civil Aviation Organization Convention.

Establishing, operating and maintaining a national network of stations including synoptic, climatological, agrometeorological and research stations.

Establishing, operating and maintaining a national data bank of basic meteorological data.

Conducting applied meteorological research to advance scientific understanding of Israel's weather and climate.

Co-ordinating Israel's involvement in International Meteorology, through membership in the World Meteorological Organization. Operating a WMO Regional Meteorological Training Center (RMTC) which organizes short courses in applied meteorology and agrometeorology.

Since more comprehensive meteorological information is increasingly required in the development of our socio-economic system, JMA has been making every effort in improving the forecasts, in facilitating the climate-related activities, and in making the tsunami and earthquake prediction systems sophisticated.

Collect and disseminate hydrological and meteorological information for water resources, agriculture, energy, and other development activities.

Issue hydrological and meteorological forecasts for public, mountaineering expedition, civil aviation, and for the mitigation of natural disasters.

Conduct special studies required for the policy makers and for the development of hydrological and meteorological sciences in the region.

Promote relationship with national and international organisations in the field of hydrology and meteorology.

Applied Research
is aimed at improving the quality, usefulness and accessibility of meteorological and oceanographical data (observations and model data), in support of operational forecasting and other applications of weather and waves.

Climate Research
Research on oceanography; atmospheric research; the chemical composition of the atmosphere (e.g. ozone); predictability of weather and climate; the analysis of climate, climate variability and climatic change, and model support .

Policy support to the Dutch Government with respect to climate and climatic change.

Seismology (in Dutch only) Research on as well as monitoring of seismic activity (earthquakes)

For more information on us and our business units (Aviation, Information Presentation Services, National Weather Services), visit our Corporate Information pages.

Another is EUMETNET, a network for cooperation with defined subject areas for a more costeffective exploitation of the resources.

General forecasts and severe warnings are processed to provide forecasts tailored to meet the specific needs of different sectors of society. The products and services, including consulting assignments, are frequently used by authorities and by Swedish and international trade and industry.

The MeteoSwiss co-operates closely with other European weather services and international meteorological organisations.

National Weather Service Science and Technology Infusion Plan -- A Roadmap to 2025 Executive Summary Over the last 20 years of the twentieth century, National Weather Service (NWS) science and technology (S&T) infusion focused on the Modernization and Associated Restructuring (MAR), involving the implementation of major technological systems and restructuring of field operations. The S&T advances accompanying the MAR have led to operational improvements in warnings, forecasts, and other products and services reducing risk to society and the economy. With the MAR now complete, the NWS is planning for the S&T advances necessary to support improved product and service capabilities and organizational efficiency and productivity in the first decades of the twenty-first century. In this S&T Infusion Plan (STIP), the challenge of planning NWS S&T infusion for the greatest socio-economic benefit of the Nation is approached first by defining an overarching vision for 2025: There are no unanticipated weather, water, climate, or related environmental (WWCE) events impacting the Nation. In support of this vision, The NWS openly and freely provides the world s most accurate and highest quality WWCE data, products, and information in a seamless data base easy to access and use for any application or purpose. Next, NWS S&T capabilities needed to reach this vision are identified from the present to 2025. In particular, three planning time frames, near- (NWS Today, circa 2005), mid- (NWS Next, circa 2010), and far-term (NWS After Next, circa 2011), are adopted for organizing discussion of current and target capabilities for major elements of the forecast and information-generation process: observations , data assimilation and numerical prediction, forecast techniques and product/information preparation, and dissemination. Also included are necessary advances in enabling technologies -- principally computing, communications, and data extraction or visualization and fundamental understanding of physical and chemical processes occurring in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, oceans, and land surface. Today, the NWS provides weather, hydrological, and climate warning and forecast services to the public and other customers. Field forecasters integrate observations, output from various numerical prediction models enhanced with statistical techniques, and other types of guidance and decision assistance tools to produce forecasts and warnings for time-periods ranging from minutes (for severe weather) to seasonal and intra-annual (for anomalous temperature and precipitation). Satellite and other automated observing systems for surface conditions, rivers, streams, and lakes, atmospheric state, and the oceans, are supplemented with a variety of observations, such as those supplied by cooperative observers, ships, and in-flight avionics systems. Several times each day, observations are used to initialize regional- and global-scale numerical prediction models run centrally at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Week-2 forecasts are updated daily, and seasonal outlooks for general climate trends are generated on a monthly basis. These products, with accompanying automated model interpretation, are transmitted to forecast offices, where they are interactively displayed on AWIPS systems for use in developing forecasts and warnings. Local-scale models, such as workstation-Eta and others, are run experimentally at many WFOs. The Internet is used to transmit and display data and products on an auxiliary basis. Warnings and forecasts are disseminated to the public and private sectors over NOAA Weather Radio, and other electronic and print media. Increases of observation and product data streams are generated with ongoing improvements: more complete sampling; more accurate, more comprehensive (parameters, resolution, outlook length) prediction methods; advances in forecast techniques pose challenges for supporting computing and communications technologies. By NWS Next, advances in computing power, communications, and other enabling technologies will provide the capabilities for more representative observations from a variety of new sources, for advances in numerical prediction, and in forecast techniques and product/information preparation. Advanced data assimilation techniques will make efficient use of the vastly expanded observational data, from satellite and other remote sensing platforms, in conjunction with in situ upper-air and surface measurements. Models will be run at ever finer resolutions for local, regional, and global applications; probabilistic forecasts for growing numbers of parameters will take advantage of amply populated ensembles. Adopting a common modeling framework will facilitate information sharing and connectivity among models for all spatial scales. Model output and interpretation tools will be provided to field forecasters in increasingly convenient formats for rapid interactive processing and advanced decision assistance. Dissemination to the public and other customers will rely on flexible alternative pathways to optimize accessibility and usefulness of both generic and specially-requested products. By 2025, S&T advances will enable the NWS After Next to become more efficient and productive and provide seamless weather, water, climate, and related environmental information of greatly increased quality and quantity relative to today. A multi-dimensional data base will integrate observations, numerical prediction, climatological data, and human forecaster input, with accompanying uncertainty metrics for real-time, user-friendly access. More comprehensive observations will expand reliance on systems that adaptively target regions and features critical for reducing forecast uncertainty. Observational data will be ingested in common-framework numerical prediction systems that describe environmental processes operating over space and time scales ranging from meters and minutes to thousands of kilometers and years, for time periods nearing the limits of predictability. Ensembles, with sufficient numbers of members to represent adequately uncertainty in both initial conditions and models, will provide a basis for extended probabilistic forecasts. All information in the data base will be available to forecasters and other users. Accurate forecasts and warnings will be disseminated over multiple media, with sufficient lead times for mitigating actions. Advanced public and private-sector interactive data mining, decision aide, and visualization techniques will support customized interpretation and applications. The STIP is a living document outlining target capabilities, which will necessarily be revised as key aspects change. From it will emanate cooperative action plans aimed at specific R&D-to- operational transitions. These action plans will focus on quick and efficient ways to perform critical elements of the infusion process, including testing and training. Finally, this S&T plan is one piece of an emerging integrated planning effort considering factors such as evolving customer needs, agency missions, budgetary, and organizational changes, etc., all affecting the NWS and influencing the S&T direction the agency takes over the next 25 years. Source: Title: National Weather Service Science and Technology Infusion Plan -- A Roadmap to 2025, Draft: July 27, 2001 U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ost/tip/NWS_TIP.pdf, downloaded March 2, 2002.

National Weather Service A High Impact Agency... we make a difference Reinvention Goals for 2000 Status - August 2000 The National Weather Service (NWS) has a direct impact on the well-being of America and a history of accomplishment as a designated NPR "High Impact Agency." The successful completion of a $4.5 billion investment program in weather service modernization has dramatically improved NWS performance, especially for warnings of dangerous weather, and is making a significant contribution to the American economy. At the same time, restructuring office operations has closed 184 offices. Continued improvements in the context of the five reinvention goals for the NWS are reported below. Delivering Great Service Internal Reinvention Goal: NWS-01 Goal: NWS-04 Goal: NWS-02 Goal: NWS-05 Goal: NWS-03 Delivering Great Service Goal: NWS-01 Generate annual savings to the economy by improving the quality and utility of environmental forecasts and services. Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley said, "Weather is big business. It can help or hurt a community. One-seventh of our economy, about $1 trillion a year, is weather sensitive." The innovative use of weather, water and climate information is increasing our safety and productivity and improving the Nation's competitiveness to enhance our standard of living. For example, the highly accurate long-range predictions issued by our Climate Prediction Center for the 1997-98 El Nino led California to conduct major mitigation efforts that led to a reduction in losses of about $1 billion. As an NPR-designated "high-impact agency," the National Weather Service leads NOAA's participation in the Natural Disaster Reduction Initiative (NDRI), a program that seeks to reduce the costs of natural disasters to society and the U.S. economy by improving the quality and utility of environmental forecasts and services. Following are examples of how we support this program: Improved Hydrologic Services: Flood damages average about $4.5 billion a year and more than 10 million U.S. households are located in high risk flood areas. This year, the NWS began implementing a national program, called Advanced Hyrdrologic Prediction Services (AHPS), that will improve river forecasts. AHPS provides emergency and water managers with additional time to prepare for floods and droughts with better information and improved accuracy reducing the economic impact of floods on communities. AHPS provides new forecast products depicting the magnitude and probability of occurrence for river conditions from days to several months in the future. Because improved services upstream can yield safety and economic benefits downstream, this year we began implementing AHPS on tributaries of the upper Mississippi, Ohio, and Red River of the North river basins (portions of West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota this year). National implementation of AHPS promises to save lives and benefit the National economy by $600 million each year through fewer flood losses and improved water resource management and will extend current short term river forecasts out to weeks and months. Improved Aviation Services: Weather delays within the National Airspace System (NAS) approach nearly $2.5 billion annually. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology study for O'Hare Field in Chicago, found that a 30 minute lead-time for identifying cloud ceiling or visibility events could minimize the number of weather delays by 20 to 35 percent. Nationally, this could save between $500 million to $875 million annually. To meet this need, we developed a new Collaborative Convective Forecast Product (CCFP) to enhance air traffic flow on an expedited basis as requested by the Federal Aviation Administration and air carriers. On April 1, 2000, our Aviation Weather Center began producing the CCFP as an operational product. Initially, AWC will produce the CCFP during the thunderstorm season (March through October). As a result, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) and air carriers can now make strategic routing and dispatch decisions based, in part, on these forecasts. These forecast products will continually be improved in the future. Improving our Weather Technology: When killer tornados tore through Oklahoma and Kansas in May 1999, our Norman, Oklahoma, weather forecast office issued warnings up to 30 minutes in advance of some of the twisters. The office credits the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), a powerful data presentation system, for helping the team quickly and accurately assess the weather conditions and get out warnings; the media called our NEXRAD doppler radar a "hero." Together, with the private sector and the media who helped disseminate our warnings we saved perhaps 600 lives and countless dollars. America invested $4.5 billion to modernize its National Weather Service. Leveraging this technology can maximize the investment: Improving NEXRAD Products: This year, the NWS begins full-scale development of new NEXRAD products that will better detect tornado, severe thunderstorm and flash flood conditions. As a result, improved forecasting and lower maintenance costs will save the nation millions of dollars. Sustaining AWIPS operations and maintenance: AWIPS workstations enable forecasters to synthesize and analyze weather/environmental data from multiple sources which results in more accurate and timely forecasts of weather events, saving lives and money. Replacing the Radiosonde Observing System: For more than 50 years, twice a day, every day, from 102 locations in the United States, the National Weather Service launches weather balloons, carrying instrument packages called radiosondes. The network launches approximately 75,000 to 80,000 radiosondes annually. These balloon-borne expendable devices report temperature, humidity, pressure and winds from the earth's surface up through an altitude of about 95,000 feet or 30,000 meters, and serve as the basis for most weather predictions. More than 90 percent of the system parts are now obsolete. We awarded contracts this year to demonstrate new system components and a prototype radiosonde for which uses the Global Positional System to improve data accuracy. Improving the National Network of Weather and Flood Warning and Forecast Services: Recognizing the need for two additional weather forecast offices, we began constructing facilities in Caribou, Maine, and Key West, Fla., this year. Operating 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, these offices will provide improved critical forecasts and warnings that will help citizens be safe and better prepare against the economic impacts of severe weather. These two offices bring the total number of weather forecast offices in our national network of coverage to 121. Goal: NWS-02 Double the average lead time for severe weather events and achieve a 30 percent increase in pin-pointing landfall of hurricanes. Our goal is to deliver a credible, timely and relevant suite of weather, water and climate products and services which meet our customer's needs. We are upgrading our products and services to meet these goals. When seconds count, additional warning lead times can mean the difference between life and death. There's still work to do but our average lead times for severe weather are improving significantly. For example: Tornado Warnings: Today's average lead time of 11 minutes for tornado warnings is nearly triple the three minute lead time of 1977. Our goal for 2005 is to provide American's with a 15 minute average lead time. Flash Flood Warnings: Our advancements in flash flood warning lead time is impressive. Today's average lead time of 51 minutes compares with eight minutes in 1987. Our goal for 2005 is 65 minutes. In addition to improving lead times, our customers want more specific severe weather watches. During this year's spring and summer seasons, we issued a test product, "Watch by County", along with our operational watches, to better define and update watch areas. We are soliciting customer feedback on the utility of this test product. Hurricanes pose a huge threat to the nation both in potential loss of life and economic devastation. The National Weather Service provides information that is the country's first line of defense against these storms. Last year, for the first time, we issued an outlook for the hurricane season -- and it verified well. For the 2000 North Atlantic Hurricane Season we also are forecasting an above-average number of storms. An average season brings 10 tropical storms and six hurricanes of which two are classified as intense. We owe it to the public, to the emergency managers and decision makers, to continue improving our hurricane forecasts. Twenty-four hour track forecast error 30 years ago was 140 miles; this has been reduced to 100 miles with a goal of 80 miles by 2005. By 2005, the NWS also plans to increase hurricane warning lead time from 19 (current) to over 24 hours, and improve hurricane intensity (wind speed) forecasts by 20%. Goal: NWS-03 Provide improved and timely public access to weather information ranging from current weather events to long range seasonal and inter-annual flood and weather forecasts. The National Weather Service must do more than simply produce better products and services. Critical information must to get to the people who need it and get there in a form they can use. For potentially life-saving warnings, NOAA Weather Radio, the media, and even paging services remain the best sources for communicating short-fuse warning situations. For less time-critical forecasts and weather information, the internet is a key means for delivery: NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) - The Voice of the National Weather Service: Network Expansion: 160 new NOAA Weather Radio stations have been added since beginning an expansion program in 1994. 555 stations now comprise the NWR network. We expect to install 40 new stations by the end of FY 2000 and at least 30 new stations next year. We have identified 240 new sites that will allow us to reach the goal of 95 percent population coverage in each state, depending on funding availability. NWR Public Information: In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) we published Saving Lives With An All-Hazard Warning Network. This publication describes NWR, promotes its value as a potential life saver, and recommends steps necessary to make NWR more viable as the National warning network. This year we produced two new NWR videos for the public, including a public service announcement with NASCAR race driver Darrell Waltrip to raise public awareness and promote the purchase of NWR receivers. NWR New Formats and Uses: We need to get information to people in a form they can use. We have begun research to apply new telecommunications technologies to include text broadcasts on NWR that may provide access to the hearing impaired. In February 2000, we completed implementing Spanish language broadcast capability into the automated NWR programming system. Additionally, transmitters serving a significant Hispanic population may provide automated generic Spanish translations of emergency weather and natural hazard messages for the Emergency Alert System (EAS). NWR Concatenated Voice: The NWS is evaluating a prototype system, which uses concatenated human voice, for the broadcast of warnings and short-fused watches. Concatenation uses human voice recorded in phrases and words, pieced together by a computer to match input text. This technology will be tested at two NWS offices by mid-calendar year 2000. Consolidated River Data on the Internet: Daily river forecasts and flood stage information from the nation's largest river basins are now available on a single Internet site. The Weather Service's new River Watch home page is a service even more crucial as various parts of the nation are gripped by drought. This new "one stop" Web site provides almost instant access to river data and ice conditions within the Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River Basins. The new site combines river information from more than a dozen weather service offices and makes them available to anyone with access to the Internet. The internet address is: http://www.riverwatch.noaa.gov Open Dissemination of Radar Data on the Internet: After the expiration of the NEXRAD Information Dissemination Service agreement this year, we will provide real time access to the full range of radar data products through the Internet. Our goal is to do this without disrupting any of the existing dissemination paths during the transition in order to make sure this is a win-win for everyone - for the NWS, for our customers and partners, for the vendors, private weather companies and their customers, and ultimately for the taxpayers. Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN): One example of how we are focusing efforts on modern wireless web technologies and designs is the EMWIN system. This satellite based information delivery system delivers critical weather information to emergency managers at an affordable price. StormReady: This new NWS initiative, that originated in Oklahoma, promises to improve communication and increase weather awareness and preparedness in communities across the country. StormReady prepares communities to respond to the threat of severe weather and provides detailed and clear recommendations which communities can use to improve their public awareness programs. It also gives the community recognition for their preparedness accomplishments. Local National Weather Service forecast offices work with communities to complete an application and review process. To be officially StormReady, a community must: Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; Have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the public; Create a system that monitors local weather conditions; Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars; and Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises. We currently have 22 StormReady communities located in 10 states with an additional 25 in the application process. Our goal is to identify at least 20 StormReady communities annually through 2005. New Climate Products: Since last year, the NWS has issued several new climate products that are available on the web: U.S. Drought Monitor: During last summer's severe drought in the mid-Atlantic we implemented a new Drought Monitor, developed by NOAA and its federal partners. This product summarizes the extent and intensity of droughts nationwide and expected changes in intensity over the next two weeks. For more information visit: U.S. Drought Monitor. Threats Assessment: Last summer we launched this tool to identify potential for extreme weather events up to two weeks in advance. These maps can be found at: U.S. Threats Assessment. Excessive Heat Product: When parts of the country experienced a deadly heatwave last summer, our customers asked for a heat wave outlook. This summer we began issuing a new excessive heat product that maps parts of the country where excessive heat may occur up to 14 days in advance. These maps are located at: Excessive Heat Outlooks. Internal Reinvention Goal: NWS-04 Reduce the cost to the private sector of the collection and dissemination of near real-time weather data and information through partnership with the academic community and private sector. Government agencies, private companies, academia, the media, emergency managers and the public all rely on National Weather Service data, products and services. Our data and products form a national information data base and infrastructure. By collecting and distributing data and information through more efficient high speed communications lines and NOAAPORT, which is a satellite broadcast network, we are reducing costs. For the cost of essential equipment to down link the information, the public, universities, and industry now have access to nearly all data collected by the National Weather Service free of charge. Goal: NWS-05 Streamline weather service activities which will result in a more highly trained staff, increased productivity, reduced management overhead, and reduction of the number of field offices from over 300 to 121. Currently, 92 percent of our weather offices scheduled to close have already closed (184 of 200). Decisions on 10 additional offices are scheduled for this year. The remaining offices require actions over the next several years before decisions can be made. Source: Jim Valdez, National Weather Service — Reinventing Goals for 2000, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, www.nws.noaa.gov/npr5.html, last modified December 21, 2000 (downloaded March 28, 2001).

Mission Statement

"The National Weather Service ^TM (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database and infrastructure which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public, and the global community."

Statement of Dr. Richard A. Anthes, Chairman of the National Research Council's National Weather Service Modernization Committee, and President, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Committee on Science, U.S. House of Representatives, February 24, 1999.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:

Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the Committee of Science. My name is Richard A. Anthes and I am President of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). UCAR is a consortium of 62 institutions of higher education in North America. UCAR includes nearly all U.S. universities with Ph.D. programs in atmospheric, oceanic and related sciences. UCAR operates the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.

On behalf of the National Research Council's National Weather Service Modernization Committee (NWSMC), I am pleased to summarize the work to date of the committee, with a focus on the ongoing modernization and restructuring of the National Weather Service (NWS).

In early 1995 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a second five-year contract to the National Research Council to continue analysis, study, and review of the NWS modernization and associated restructuring program. The National Research Council authorized the NWSMC, which is a standing committee under the Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, to accomplish these tasks. The NWSMC was given two broad areas of responsibility:

to help ensure a successful and cost-effective transition to the modernized and restructured NWS envisioned in the NOAA Strategic Plan to improve weather services to the nation

to ensure a continuous modernization to capitalize on the substantial investment already made in new technology and opportunities available from emerging scientific research and technological development that would complement and enhance modernization NOAA further asked the National Research Council to continue its analysis, study, and review throughout the national deployment of the new technology and the phase-over to the new NWS operating structure, a time period extending through 1999.

The modernization involves new observational technology, new information and forecast systems, and a new organizational structure. The new observing systems include the weather surveillance radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D), more commonly referred to as the next generation weather radar (NEXRAD); the automated surface observing system (ASOS); and the next generation geostationary operational environmental satellites (GOES-Next). An Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) will provide information processing and forecast workstations at each field forecast office as well as an interactive communications link among all the offices. Advanced supercomputers at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) will enable improvement of the timeliness and accuracy of operational numerical weather forecasts.

Restructuring of the NWS is nearly complete and includes a consolidation of many of the field offices and supporting center operations. The structure prior to modernization included 52 weather service forecast offices, about 200 smaller offices (including weather service offices and weather service meteorological observatories), and 13 river forecast centers (RFCs). When the modernization is fully implemented there will be 121 weather forecast offices (WFOs), whose locations are determined primarily by the coverage of NEXRAD systems installed nearby, and the 13 RFCs. The new organizational structure also includes the NCEP, which are comprised of nine national centers: NCEP Central Operations, Environmental Modeling Center, Hydrological Prediction Center, Marine Prediction Center, Climate Prediction Center, Aviation Weather Center, Storm Prediction Center, Tropical Prediction Center, and the Space Environmental Center. The centers prepare and make available forecasts and outlooks of weather and climate to the public and other users and provide forecast guidance products to weather service field offices.

A major portion of the modernization process was completed with the deployment and commissioning of the new NEXRAD and ASOS observational technologies and the launch and operational employment of GOES-8, GOES-9, and GOES-10. In 1996 the NWS completed the planned network of 161 Doppler weather radars that were approved by Congress in 1987. The NWS operates 120 weather radars, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) operates 29, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operates the remaining 12. As a result of a secretary of commerce recommendation (based on criteria provided in a 1995 NRC study) the NWS installed three additional radars that are located in northern Indiana, western Arkansas, and northern Alabama. Nearly 950 ASOSs have been installed at the planned 993 NWS, FAA, and DOD locations across the country. The ASOS network provides primary surface data that are used by the NWS for severe weather, flash flood, and river forecasting, as well as for support of aviation operations. The ASOS network substantially increases the spatial resolution and frequency of surface observations. GOES-8 was launched in April 1994, GOES-9 in May 1995, and GOES-10 in April 1997. These satellites allow higher quality and more frequent atmospheric soundings and cloud images to be obtained simultaneously (only one or the other could be obtained from GOES-7 and earlier satellites). Thus three (NEXRAD, ASOS, and GOES-Next) of the five major components of the modernized technologies are in place and operational. Each has contributed to improvements in warnings and forecaster productivity.

Following a series of development delays, the fourth component of the modernization, AWIPS, is being deployed nationwide and is in service at more than half of the weather offices. The remaining systems are scheduled to be installed by June 1999 and commissioned beginning in early 2000. Even with a somewhat reduced capability from what was originally specified, AWIPS clearly facilitates the integration of diverse sets of weather data and enhances the production and dissemination of forecasts and warnings. As the committee pointed out in its AWIPS report in 1997, more attention is needed in systems engineering and risk management processes in the NWS to ensure that AWIPS meets all NWS requirements for the system.

While the observational systems including NEXRAD, ASOS, and GOES-Next are at or near state-of-the-art, and AWIPS is nearly complete, the fifth component of the modernization, supercomputer capability at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, is woefully deficient and needs continuing attention and support to implement and sustain a viable modeling operation. The NWSMC is concerned that the NCEP computer capabilities have fallen well behind the state of practice as represented by the capabilities of meteorological centers of many other industrialized nations. I will cover this topic more in my remarks about the future NWS.

I wish to turn now to the future and focus on key points from our latest study just released this past week, "A Vision for the National Weather Service: Road Map for the Future." Copies of the report have been provided to your committee.

In this study, the NWSMC explores ways the NWS can take advantage of continuing advances in science and technology to meet the challenges of the future. The outlook is focused on the target year 2025. Because specific predictions about the state of science and technology or the NWS more than 25 years in the future will not be entirely accurate, the goal of this report is to identify and highlight trends that are most likely to influence change. The NWSMC and its Road Map Panel have developed an optimistic vision for 2025 based on predicted advances in science and technology. This vision is based on seven assumptions (listed in the report).

The NWSMC and its Road Map Panel envision that in 2025 vastly improved weather information products and services will be substantially more useful to society than they are today. The formal NWS modernization and restructuring, now being completed, has provided the foundation for the NWS to lead the way in realizing enormous benefits to the nation. New observational, data assimilation, and modeling systems will be based on scientific advances and technological innovations. The resulting improvements in the accuracy of forecasts will foster markets for weather and related environmental information and will create new opportunities for providers of commercial products and services. To meet the challenges that lie ahead, the NWS must evolve in response to a rapidly changing user and technological environment.

Improved scientific understanding, together with advances in observational and computational technologies will lead to greatly improved spatial and temporal density, accuracy, and timeliness of weather and climate data and information. Measurements of surface and upper air conditions will be made by automated surface observing networks, by airborne observing systems, and by advanced Doppler radar processing technology. Using improved and new technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite-based observing systems will provide global observations in all weather of unprecedented accuracy and coverage. New methods of data assimilation will enable higher resolution numerical weather prediction models to use these new data sets to greatly reduce the initial errors in the models' representation of the state of the atmosphere. Advances in scientific understanding will lead to improved representation in the models of the physical processes responsible for weather and climate (atmospheric physics and hydrologic processes). New techniques will improve local forecasts by combining data from diverse observing systems taken at different times with results from large-scale modeling and local climate information (hybrid forecasting). Information about the accuracy of forecasts and measures of uncertainty in predictions will be more sophisticated, yet more understandable to users. Descriptions of the key physical processes and conditions at grid points over an entire basin (distributed modeling) will replace older methods of modeling the effects of precipitation and snow melt on streams and rivers.

Ongoing national and international scientific research and technology development will provide the foundation for these improvements, which will lead to a proliferation of user-oriented services and products. To realize these enormous opportunities, the NWS and NOAA must continuously upgrade observing systems and regain and maintain state-of-the-art computing facilities at NCEP. They will have to keep abreast of research in the scientific community by actively supporting and participating in the U.S. Weather Research Program and other partnerships.

The NWS must adopt an evolutionary approach to upgrading its operational systems with new technology rather than relying on episodic overhauls. An evolutionary approach will avoid obsolescence and organizational trauma, minimize risks, and enable more timely implementation of improved tools. The rapid development, testing, and implementation of new algorithms and techniques will require sound science and proficient engineering.

The future success of the NWS and the quality of its service to the nation will be determined in large measure by the capability of the computer resources made available to it. Improvements in forecasts will depend on the assimilation of timely data from a broad array of observing systems into computer-based models of the atmosphere, which are vital to modern weather and climate prediction. Assimilating the huge number of diverse observations and running increasingly accurate models at higher resolutions quickly enough to produce useful forecasts will require greatly increased computational power at NCEP. Parsimony in purchasing NWS computer power is therefore a false economy that deprives the nation of valuable benefits that could be realized from the greatly improved observational and information systems associated with the modernization and foreseen in the future.

The NWSMC/Road Map Panel expects that continuing progress in weather forecasting, enabled by major changes in meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, and associated technologies, will combine with the continuing transformation of the United States to an information-oriented society to make weather and related environmental data increasingly valuable to a wide range of users. Consequently, the number and variety of participants in the national (and global) network that provides environmental information will increase dramatically. Consumers will use the information to meet their commercial needs and personal interests by integrating traditional weather data (probably in common gridded formats) with other data on the environment and on specific economic sectors. The increasing number and range of nonfederal public, private, and mixed public-private providers of these data and value-added applications will both respond to and create opportunities for new information services and products.

The NWS's role is expected to evolve as provider networks grow. First, the panel expects that the NWS will retain its lead role in issuing public forecasts and severe weather warnings. It must, therefore, constantly improve its dissemination system by exploiting new ways that information providers communicate with end users. Second, the NWS will increasingly provide observational data and gridded forecast products to other information providers, including the traditional disseminators of NWS products (emergency preparedness agencies and broadcast media), as well as public-sector and commercial producers of specialized products and services. Third, partnering with other governmental entities (federal, state, or local) as well as private entities will be essential for fulfilling the fundamental mission of the NWS.

Enlightened strategic planning is critical to enable the NWS to interact with and serve its constituents. To meet the changes in user needs and efficiently upgrade its technology and operations, the NWS will require stable long-term funding that is adequate to implement long-range plans based on validated requirements. Irregular or inadequate support limits the quality and extent of services and denies potential benefits to the entire user community.

A rapidly evolving user community, advancing technology, and changing relationships among members of the weather community will require evolution in the organizational structure of NOAA and in the relationships among its components, including NWS, the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.

Because the atmosphere and oceans transcend national boundaries, realizing the national weather and climate predictive capabilities envisioned in this report will require a free and open exchange of the higher-quality and higher-resolution global observations. Creating the requisite global database will require improved cooperation among the major data-gathering nations.

The role of the forecaster will change as the highly educated and trained NWS personnel with advanced meteorological or hydrologic expertise spend less time preparing routine forecasts and more time interacting with customers and refining, extending, and validating the models and other tools of automated prediction. Interactions with other participants in the network that provides environmental information (the provider network) will be essential for incorporating environmental observational and forecast data into application-specific decision-support aids and for improving the dissemination of public forecasts and severe weather warnings. The heavy investment in technology for NWS operations will require a technical support staff that is expert in the operation, maintenance, and upgrading of this technology.

Given the primacy of its role in the current provider network, the NWS could be well positioned to lead, and not merely react to, changes in the national and international systems for providing environmental information services. Both primary customers of NWS products and services (in the provider network) and ultimate consumers of the information should understand and appreciate the role of the NWS in sustaining and expanding the provider network.

The study activities of the NWSMC have followed and built upon previous studies conducted for NOAA by the National Research Council since 1980. The committee was established in 1990 and has completed 15 reports, three of which were letter reports. This represents a total of more than 10,000 hours of volunteered time by 37 professionals from a range of science, engineering, weather and information technologies, and organizational management specialties, who provided oversight and independent advice to NOAA and the NWS during the past nine years. All of the reports were published and provided to NOAA, NWS, Congress, and other interested organizations and individuals with the exception of the final report on the NWS Plan for the Modernization and Associated Restructuring Demonstration, which will be released in March 1999. The U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA chose to not exercise the final year option of its contract with the National Research Council for continuing services of the NWSMC; all committee and supporting staff activities will cease on March 31, 1999. A list of all of the NWSMC's reports with an abstract for each report is provided in the attachment.

Source: Dr. Richard A. Anthes, 1999: Statement before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Committee on Science, U.S. House of Representatives, February 24, 1999, www.ucar.edu/pres/testimony, downloaded August 25, 2001.

Related presentation: Vision of Future Weather Services, AMS Annual Meeting, January 2001.

'WMO evolves to meet present and future requirements of humankind in its capacity as the specialized agency of the United Nations on matters relating to the atmosphere, weather, water and climate as well as their interactions with the environment including the land, oceans and biosphere.'

WMO is committed to building a world in which:

The principle of free and unrestricted international exchange of meteorological data and products is maintained.

Nations, institutions and communities strengthen their commitment to the collaborative study and monitoring of the planet's natural systems.

The potential of early warning systems to reduce losses from severe weather, flood and drought is fully realized.

Collaboration among the geosciences leads to skillful seasonal forecasts and climate predictions for phenomena such as El Niño and global warming.

International cooperation leads to an inte-grated global environmental monitoring and service system.

Source: World Meteorological Organization, Fifth WMO Long-term Plan, 2000–2009, Summary for decision makers, www.wmo.ch/web-en/5LTP909E.pdf (1 MB), Downloaded February 26, 2001. [Also available in a longversion: World Meteorological Organization, Fifth WMO Long-term Plan, 2000–2009, www.wmo.ch/web-en/5TPLT908E.pdf (38MB)]

[Here is a draft of the Sixth WMO Long-Term Plan] WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION ________ CBS MANAGEMENT GROUP GENEVA, 24 to 27 JANUARY 2001   CBS-MG-I/Doc. 4 (12.I.2001) ____ ITEM: 1.2 ENGLISH Draft 6th WMO LTP - Vision and Strategy (Submitted by the Secretariat) Summary and purpose of document This document a summary of text from the general summary of CBS-XII and a draft proposal containing a broad vision statement, outcomes, strategies and associated goals for the 6LTP that has been developed by the EC Working Group on Long-term Planning. ACTION PROPOSED The Management Group is invited to carefully review the proposed text for the 6LTP in this document and provide comments and additional input to the EC-WGLTP as a matter of urgency.   Introduction During its twelfth session CBS noted that the Executive Council at its fifty-second session had provided guidance on the preparation of the 6LTP and that the Council had agreed that the Long-term Plan should form the basis for the preparation of the programme and budget, as well as the relevant Programme activities. It had therefore considered that the timing of the LTP preparation was crucial and agreed that the draft Sixth WMO Long-term Plan (6LTP) should be prepared for the consideration and endorsement by EC-LIII in 2001. The earlier availability of the draft 6LTP would also provide guidance to the technical commissions and regional associations in detailed planning of their programmes. Following the guidance of EC-LII, the EC Working Group on Long-term Planning (EC-WGLTP) prepared a draft proposal containing a broad vision statement, outcomes, strategies and associated goals for the 6LTP, which is included in the appendix of this document. The Commission noted that the vice-president attended a meeting in conjunction with the Meeting of the Presidents of Technical Commissions in early October 2000, which reviewed that material and provided further input. Much work must still be done and the chairman of the EC-WGLTP has requested additional input on the revised draft from all technical commissions as quickly as possible. In view of these decisions and the urgent need for a draft 6LTP to be prepared by early 2001, the Commission agreed that its Management Group should consider this matter and provide input to the EC-WGLTP as a matter of urgency. It also requested the chairpersons of the open programme area groups to develop key goals and implementation priorities for their respective sub-programmes and to seek input from the chairs of the Regional Working Groups on the Planning and Implementation of the WWW. These will be reviewed by the Management Group and by the Commission at its extraordinary session in 2002. Preparation of the Sixth WMO Long-term Plan (6LTP) Vision – a clear and succinct statement which captures the essence of what WMO should be and why it exists. "The WMO – leading the world in cooperation in weather, water, climate and the natural environment for the benefit of all nations." Outcomes - The results and/or impacts of what we want to achieve, for which WMO can play a significant role. 1. Improved protection of life and property To contribute, through the implementation of detection, prediction and warning systems, to safety of life and to reduction of the social and economic impacts of natural disasters, e.g. tropical cyclones, floods, strong winds, droughts, forest fires, severe storms and pollution events. Increased awareness and preparedness of peoples and society to face extremities of severe weather phenomena. Improved safety of infrastructure objects such as buildings, roads, bridges, powerplants etc., through informed use of meteorological and hydrological data. Reduced vulnerability of human life and property to weather and climate events. 2. Increased safety at sea and in the air Underpin the safety of travel by air through the provision of warnings of enroute meteorological and environmental hazards, including turbulence, icing, volcanic ash and tropical cyclones. Enhanced safety of life and property at sea, for commercial shipping and other users (pleasure craft, sporting events, fisheries, industry) and in ever harsher conditions, through the provision of higher quality, more detailed and more varied marine weather and ocean condition services. 3. Enhanced quality of life (both in terms of basic human needs such as food, water, shelter and in making the most of the weather in leisure, sports and every day life) Adequate and sustained food availability through the provision of weather, hydrological and climatological (including seasonal) forecasts to plan agricultural activities. Improved environment in terms of good air quality and clean water with minimal pollution. Increased weather-climate-environment awareness of peoples, governmental bodies and society. Better informed public on the importance of meteorology and how it can improve their daily lives. Reduction of health problems, including those associated with increasing UV-radiation and pollution. Improved assessment and management of water resources through the application of hydrological forecasts, leading to more sustainable development, and reduction in tension over shared resources. Maximizing social benefits through the contribution to peoples daily lives and socioeconomic activities. 4. Sustainable economic growth Contribute to economic development by means of: a higher degree of protection of human lives and property against detrimental effects of meteorological/hydrological phenomena; better use of weather, climate and water related services in order to increase economic benefit. Maximize potential of natural resources to support sustainable development. To assist in the form of weather inputs in planning and management of agricultural production and water resources to sustain the growing human and cattle production. Improvements in the way agri-business, industry, commerce and various service sectors (including energy, tourism, building design and urban planning), which have demonstrated sensitivity, learn to adapt to climate change and respond more effectively when provided with appropriate information, including predictions. Better economic performance and natural environment for the whole society as a result of proper application of meteorological information and forecasts. 5. Protection of the environment Better, reliable and timely advice to policy-and-decision-makers with regard to policies and course of action to be taken, on a national and international scale, to prevent adverse climate modification and damage to the natural environment. Greater understanding of the climate system at national and regional scales as well as at the global scale. Contribution to protecting aquatic ecosystems. Halting or even reversing the deteriorating trend in the quality of the atmosphere in relation to human habitation. Support to the formulation of national, regional as well as international Conventions and strategies such as the UNFCCC, UNCCD, Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Strategies and associated goals In order to contribute to the outcomes, the WMO and its Members have adopted the following strategies with associated goals for meeting the evolving global needs for expert advice and services related to weather, water, climate and the natural environment. 1. To deliver increasingly relevant and appropriate warnings of severe events related to weather, water, climate and the natural environment throughout the world, and ensure they are able to reach the right people (individuals, emergency services, decision-makers) in a timely and useful manner. (a) Improve the accuracy and reliability of the predictions of tropical cyclones, floods, strong winds, droughts, forest fires, severe storms and pollution events. This should include improving seasonal and longer term predictions of changes in the timing, severity or frequency of such severe events, such as associated with El Nino and global warming(including information on the likely consequences of climate change at a regional level). (b) Establish appropriate mechanisms and communication systems for delivering warnings, including considering how best to utilise the international capabilities, technological developments (e.g. Internet), links with media and the appropriate authorities responsible for action. (c) Establish appropriate protocols for warnings, to avoid confusion of different warnings from different sources, including cooperation between the different sectors of the meteorological, hydrological, oceanographic and climatological communities to agree responsibilities. (d) Establish appropriate communication with the types of organisations who need to receive and act upon the warnings, to ensure they understand what can be achieved and that their requirements are properly understood and that the type, format, timeliness and method of delivery of the warnings are appropriate. (e) Establish effective mechanisms for regularly presenting information to governments, relevant organisations and the public as appropriate, advising on areas at increased risk of natural disasters and actions which could be taken to reduce the potential impacts of such disasters. (f) Consider all of the above goals from a global perspective, using the collective abilities of the different Members of WMO (including the different sectors of the meteorological, hydrological, oceanographic and climatological communities) and of other international organisations in order to achieve the best outcome. 2. To provide increasingly improved weather, water, climate and related environmental services to the public, governments and other interested parties throughout the world. (a) Assess the requirements for the following services (which may have global or regional implications, including the potential need for aid or assistance) in different parts of the world, and the capabilities of the different Members of WMO regarding the provision of such services. (i) The provision of services to aviation to improve its safety and economics, including warnings of enroute meteorological and environmental hazards (turbulence, icing, volcanic ash and tropical cyclones). (ii) The provision of marine weather and ocean condition services to improve the safety and economics of marine activities. (iii) The provision of weather, water and climate (including seasonal) forecasts to plan agricultural activities to contribute to ensuring an adequate and sustained availability of food and fibre. (iv) The provision of services associated with health problems, including air quality, water quality, UV-radiation and pollution. (v) The provision of hydrological forecasts to improve assessment and management of water resources, to increase sustainable development and reduce tension over shared resources. (vi) The provision of weather, water and climate information to enable informed construction of infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges, powerplants and to aid urban design, to improve safety. (vii) The provision of weather, water and climate information to maximize the potential of natural resources (including new sources of energy), to support sustainable development and reduce impacts on the environment. (b) Improve the provision of the services listed in (a) by: (i) best possible benefit to cost, for government and other customers; (ii) customer-focus to meet the needs of the different sectors of society, including affordability, including establishing appropriate communication with the types of organisations who need to receive the services, to ensure they understand what can be achieved and that their requirements are properly understood and that the type, format, timeliness and method of delivery of the services are appropriate; (iii) greater prediction accuracy and reliability, with risk quantified; (iv) need for integrated services, across natural sciences: take the fullest account of relevant physical and chemical parameters associated with the weather, the climate and hydrological conditions, including parameters outside the hydrological and meteorological fields as appropriate to meet the customers needs. (c) Consider (b) above from a global and multi-disciplinary perspective, using the collective abilities of the different Members of WMO (including the different sectors of the meteorological, hydrological, oceanographic and climatological communities) and of other international organisations in order to achieve an integrated global service system. 3. To be the authoritative scientific voice on weather, water, climate and related environment issues; including contributing to relevant international conventions, protocols, and other legal instruments, ensuring that relevant agreements are scientifically based, as well as inputting to scientifically-based policies of governments and briefing the media. (a) Define the types of issues which WMO should be the authoritative scientific voice on, and consider the roles of other organisations (such as UNEP and UNFCCC regarding climate change) and the possible establishment of joint arrangements. (b) Establish WMO as the respected authority for these issues. (i) Position WMO as the organization capable of acting as the authoritative voice with global leadership on weather, water, climate and related environmental matters. (ii) Improve awareness of WMO. (iii) Raise the profile of the organisation through better management of the media; be proactive in issuing press statements in a timely and media interesting manner on relevant issues. (iv) Sell the objectives of the organisation to the Member States. (v) Encourage and gain Member States commitment to implement these objectives. (vi) Let the world know of the successes of the WMO programmes and the benefits. (vii) Achieve international publicity and priority in the UN context for core areas of WMO’s activities. (viii) Respond authoritatively to the increasing demand of the communities for expert advice on meteorology, hydrology and related environmental issues of importance to countries. (ix) Advertise to governments, relevant authorities, other international organisations, and the media, the role of WMO and the way in which WMO and its Members could be beneficial to them as a source of expert information and advice on matters related to weather, water, climate and related environmental issues. (c) Develop and continually update an appropriate knowledge base of the types of issues defined in (a). (d) Provide the information/advice in the most effective manner. (i) Improve the mechanisms for preparing and issuing/delivering the advice/information and ensuring WMO is included in the development of international protocols and agreements related to weather, water, climate and related environmental issues; ensuring that the capabilities of Members of WMO are utilised to the best advantage. (ii) Express the Organization’s point of view to all international inter-governmental or non-governmental organizations whose activities are in any way connected with those of WMO. (iii) Participate actively in decision-making by such external bodies to ensure that hydrometeorological and climatic issues are adequately taken into account, including in the organization of such bodies’ activities. 4. To inform and educate the public, governments and other interested parties about the socio-economic benefits of understanding the weather, water, climate and related environment (a) Improve our knowledge of the benefits of meteorological, hydrological, oceanographic, climatological and related environmental services, in terms of outcomes which affect the users of such services, including carrying out cost-benefit studies for the various sectors. (b) Inform governments and others of benefits, to encourage support for meteorological, hydrological, oceanographic, climatological and related activities and to enable better use of the available knowledge, information and forecasts. (c) Demonstrate to the public the socio/economic quantitative value of the services of the NMHSs through case studies, what-if analyses, economic simulation models etc. (d) Inform users of the benefits in terms of outputs/outcomes which affect the different sectors of society and the economy of a country. (e) Promote education of the public through the media, and youngsters through the elementary and high-school educational program, to increase awareness with respect to the weather-water-climate-environment system of our planet. The following two strategies are associated with developing the required knowledge, basic predictions and infrastructure in order to be able to achieve the goals associated with strategies 1 to 4 above. 5. To understand the processes which affect the state of the atmosphere, the weather, water resources, the physical state of the oceans, climate change and related environmental states such as air quality and pollution levels; and to improve cooperation on the development of prediction systems. (a) Assess the requirements for predictions to meet the goals under strategies (1) and (2), including types of forecasts, space and time scales, accuracy and reliability. (b) Improve the accuracy and reliability of the predictions required to meet the goals under strategies (1) and (2). (c) Assess the requirements for the knowledge base, in terms of understanding the processes which affect the state of the atmosphere, the weather, water resources, the physical state of the oceans, climate change and related enviroenmental states, to meet the goals under strategy (3). (d) Improve the understanding of the processes required for the knowledge base in strategy (2). (e) Improve the collaboration and co-operation on a regional and global basis between centres which carry out research into the processes, and between those centres which produce predictions, in order to improve the understanding and the predictions and reduce unbeneficial duplication of effort. (f) Improve linkages between the natural sciences; take the fullest account of relevant physical and chemical parameters associated with the weather, the climate and hydrological conditions, including parameters outside the hydrological and meteorological fields as appropriate. (g) Ensure that the principle of free and unrestricted international exchange of basic forecast products is maintained. 6. To observe, record and report on the weather, water resources, climate and the related natural environment. (a) Identify the data requirements for achieving the goals in (1) to (5), including the potential need for an international network of new types of environmental data (e.g. air quality). (b) Define optimum network(s) in terms of effectiveness and cost - type of observations, resolution, area of coverage (e.g. global or regional), telecommunications required to distribute the data, processing and storage of the data. (c) Establish an integrated global system for observing, recording and reporting on the weather, water resources, climate and the related natural environment to meet the requirements in the most effective and efficient manner; including the standardization of techniques for observing and exchanging data. (d) Improve co-operation between NMHSs and other appropriate organisations to implement the observing system, in order to improve the quality, robustness and cost of the system. This should include planning networks on a regional basis and establishing appropriate cost-sharing mechanisms to enable improvements in the system (such as utilisation of new satellite distribution systems). (e) Establish a maintenance system for the network – to assess problems and deficiencies and take actions to deal with the problems. (f) Keep up-to-date with new technological developments, such as the Internet and satellite observation and data distribution systems and utilise them to the maximum extent possible where appropriate. (g) Ensure that appropriate structure and mechanisms are established within WMO to ensure that there are suitable links between the different bodies which are involved with defining the requirements, defining the optimum network(s), implementing the network (including observations, telecommunications, data storage etc.) and using the data. (h) Ensure that the principle of free and unrestricted international exchange of basic data is maintained. The following three strategies are concerned with how WMO and its Members aim to meet strategies 1 to 6 above. Each of the associated goals should therefore be considered in the context of how they can contribute to the goals associated with strategies 1 to 6. 7. To encourage co-operation and collaboration between National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) (a) Establish appropriate mechanisms and structures within WMO to facilitate increased collaboration and alliances between NMHSs. Encourage and facilitate regional cooperation, less dependency on national capabilities alone. (b) Promote exchange and sharing of information and other resources to minimize unnecessary duplication of effort. (c) Support education and training for staff in developing NMHSs to enable them to develop a better apprehension of the complexity of the weather-climate-environment system, new technology, new management methods and serving customer requirements. (d) Build global capabilities on collective strengths, recognizing that, for whatever reason, some have better capabilities than others. (e) Facilitate regional and international cooperation and collaborative programmes between developed and developing nations. (f) Facilitate and encourage informal networking of NMHSs on the basis of common interest projects to improve effectiveness and reduce overall costs (e.g. observing systems planned and implemented on a regional basis, cooperation in development of forecast models, pooling of staff resources). 8. To work effectively with international partners, other science-based organizations, academia and the private sector (a) Improve linkages between the natural sciences, (e.g. climate, biodiversity and desertification), and encourage multi-disciplinary cooperation in meteorology, hydrology, oceanography and other environmental fields. (b) Improve coordination between the UN (and other international) organisations, and identify whether there is a need for a more overarching way of dealing with environmental issues and what the roles of the different organisations should be (including areas for greater coordination). Develop joint inter-institutional programmes (e.g. with FAO, ICAO, WHO) to produce mechanisms for taking into account the influence of weather, water resources and climate on the activities of interest to those organisations. (c) Establish appropriate mechanisms for increasing involvement of the wider meteorological community in the work of WMO - globally, regionally and nationally. (d) Promote better integration among NMHSs, the media and the private sector for provision of meteorological services to the public, building awareness among Members of the need to establish effective and efficient services to distribute special bulletins and warnings. (e) Increase cooperation with organizations such as the European Union, the IADB and the World Bank, to encourage funding for the global meteorological infrastructure. 9. To be an effective, efficient and flexible Organization able to respond rapidly to the changing needs of society and new opportunities provided by technological advances (a) Improve effectiveness and efficiency of services through improved cooperation and collaboration between the different sectors of the relevant communities. (b) Review and improve the WMO structure and working mechanisms to increase the effectiveness and flexibility to cope with changing circumstances, e.g. facilitating new types of cooperation between NMHSs and other sectors, including joint funding of infrastructure such as regional observation networks or telecommunication systems. (c) Review the role of the WMO Secretariat, and the changing skills required to cope with the evolving needs of the Members, and ensure that the most capable and experienced staff from Members are employed within WMO to drive and coordinate the activities. (d) Review the terms of reference and working mechanisms of relevant WMO bodies in order to better facilitate partnerships with other relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, academia and the private sector and pursue an active policy to include these entities in the work of WMO. Source: Draft 6th WMO LTP - Vision and Strategy, WMO, www.wmo.ch/web/www/BAS/MG-I/Doc-4.html, downloaded February 26, 2001.