The National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) Information

What is THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE and what do they do?

With the mission to protect life and property, and enhance the United States’ economy, the National Weather Service is the voice of the U.S. Government for issuing warnings during life-threatening situations, whether nationwide or local weather.

In addition to daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring, the National Weather Service also supports the nation’s economic vitality, with resources and information affecting more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. Some of the world’s top scientists use the latest technology, research and instrumentation to provide the most reliable weather information available.

When was THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE founded?

In 1807 the nation’s first scientific agency, the Survey of the Coast, was created. The National Weather Service we know today started out as the “Weather Bureau” on February 9, 1870, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed a joint resolution of Congress authorizing the Secretary of War to establish a national weather service. Congress felt that the military discipline of the War Department would asure the most timely, consistent, and accurate observations in the lab as well as the field. In 1890, the Weather Bureau was moved to the Department of Agriculture, and again moved in 1940 to the Department of Commerce. The Bureau was re-named the National Weather Service in 1967, and became part of the Environmental Science Services Administration, which later became the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) three years later with the National Environmental Policy Act.

Where is THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE located?

national weather service location US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
1325 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Dr. John L. Hayes
NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services and Director

What about Meteorologists at THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE?

The National Weather Service employs meteorologists throughout the U.S. Meteorologists use data collected from sophisticated technologies like atmospheric satellite monitoring equipment and ground-based radar systems. They also monitor surface weather stations and launch weather balloons, which carry equipment that measures wind, temperature, and humidity in the upper atmosphere.

A bachelor of science degree in meteorology (or closely related field with classes in meteorology) is the minimum educational requirement. A master’s degree is more desirable and even necessary for some positions. And a Ph.D. degree is required for most basic research positions. Learn more about meteorology careers

What is THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Doppler Radar?

national weather service radar Doppler radar can detect airflow patterns in violent storm systems, allowing forecasters to better predict thunderstorms, flash floods, tornadoes, and other hazardous winds, and to monitor the direction and intensity of storms. The WSR-88D Doppler weather radar system, also known as NEXRAD (Next-Generation Radar), was created by the National Weather Service during the mid-1980s and fully deployed by the early 1990s. There are 158 Doppler weather radar sites in the U.S. and select overseas locations. Doppler radar technology uses higher resolutions then previous radar, and can detect precipitation and atmospheric movement or wind. NEXRAD is the foundation of severe weather warning operations. In addition, meteorologists use a multitude of telecommunications and information systems called AWIPS to easily view massive amounts of weather and hydrologic information.

Covering the sun to the seas, the National Weather Service provides local and regional forecasting, and emergency alerts for severe storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, winter storms, fire threats, tsunamis and solar flares. From its national centers to its 122 Weather Forecast Offices and 13 River Forecast Centers, the National Weather Service is watching over the nation and your neighborhood.

When conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, a severe thunderstorm or tornado WATCH is issued. Weather Service personnel use information from weather radar, spotters, and other sources to issue severe thunderstorm and tornado WARNINGS for areas where severe weather is imminent. Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings are passed to local radio and television stations and are broadcast over local NOAA Weather Radio stations serving the warned areas. These warnings are also relayed to local emergency management and public safety officials who can activate local warning systems to alert communities. If a tornado warning is issued for your area or the sky becomes threatening, move to your pre-designated
place of safety.

weather fatalities

Warmer Average Temperatures in US during April 2012

Warmer average temperatures in the US during April 2012

Warmer Average Temperatures in US during April 2012

Warmer average temperatures in the US during the past 12 months and first third of this year were recorded by the National Weather Service.

Several warm periods across the lower 48 states during April 2012 increased the national average temperature to 55°F, 3.6°F above average, making it the third warmest April on record. These warmer average temperatures, plus the first quarter of 2012 and previous 11 months, equal the warmest year-to-date and 12-month periods since record-keeping began in 1895.

Warmer average temperatures were present for a large portion of the nation during April.
Eight states — Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia — had average April temperatures cooler than their March temperatures. However, these temperatures were still above the long-term average for the month.
The April snow cover extent across the contiguous United States was the third smallest on record, despite the late season Nor’easter which impacted the Northeast with snow near the end of April.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, there were 228 preliminary tornado reports during April, above the 1991-2010 average for the month.
January through April was the warmest such period on record for the contiguous United States, with an average temperature of 45.4°F, 5.4°F above the long-term average. Twenty-six states, all east of the Rockies, were record warm for the four-month period and an additional 17 states had temperatures for the period among their ten warmest.
The U.S. Climate Extremes Index that tracks the highest and lowest 10 percent of extremes in temperature, precipitation, drought and tropical cyclones across the contiguous U.S., was a record 42 percent during the January through April period, over twice the average value. Extremes in warm daytime temperatures (82 percent) and warm nighttime temperatures (68 percent) covered a large area of the nation, contributing to the record high value.
The ten warmer average temperatures 12-month period, beginning May 2011 through April 2012, included several warm episodes for the country:
The warmest consecutive May through April year-long period was the second hottest summer, fourth warmest winter, and warmest March.
Twenty-two states had record warm weather for the 12-month period and an additional 19 states were top ten warm.
The 12-month running average temperature for the contiguous U.S. was 55.7°F, 2.8°F above the 20th century average.

The National Weather Service