NWSEO Endorses the National Climate Service Roll Out
NWSEO President Dan Sobien and Vice President Bill Hopkins participated in the unveiling of the National Climate Service on Monday February 8, 2010. “The key issue is the National Climate Service and National Weather Service will work hand in hand,” said Dan Sobien. “The NWS will retain its traditional climate related products and services, including the observation network and Climate Prediction Center.”
NWSEO and NOAA continue discussions on the actual design of the National Climate Service and how it will interact with the NWS. However, NWSEO is in general agreement with the Department of Commerce and NOAA and is supportive of their efforts to develop a National Climate Service. “NWS employees and our products and services will not be affected in any significant way” stated President Sobien.
CWSU Update – New Concept Test at three Cities
NWSEO’s diligent work to prevent the consolidation of CWSU is showing results. The NWS delivery of DemVal has been put on hold and NWSEO has a commitment that new resources (including FTEs) will be placed at the CWSUs or otherwise used in the aviation program.
NWSEO and NWS are working together to develop solutions to weather related aviation problems. This includes special projects with increased NWS personnel at the CWSU and WFOs in New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago. Each city has increased its NWS personnel by three employees. In New York City, the early results of this effort are extremely encouraging with a 50 percent decrease in weather related flight delays during the trial period over the same time last year. Needless to say, the increased NWS personnel in the New York City area are much needed and very well received.
The invitation for Dan and Bill to attend the roll out of the NCS is a demonstration of recent collaborative work between NWSEO, DOC and NOAA. NWSEO intends to work closely with the Obama Administration, NOAA’s leadership and the NOAA Climate Service to effectively launch this new venture. We look forward to forging a close working relationship with the NOAA Climate Service, which will effectively utilize the skills of NWSEO’s members and satisfy America’s needs to better understand and to predict climate change.
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