NOAA Weather Wire Service

NOAA Weather Wire Service
Name	NOAA Weather Wire Service
Type	Satellite data dissemination system
Area served	United States
Launch date	2000
Former names	Automation of Field Operations and Services circuit system
Related services	NOAAPORT, Emergency Managers Weather Information Network, Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System

NOAA Weather Wire Service. It is a satellite-based data dissemination service operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide real-time weather information. The system is a primary method for distributing critical hydrometeorological data, warnings, and forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) to government and commercial users. It represents a key component of the United States' modernized weather infrastructure, succeeding older terrestrial communication networks.

Overview

The service functions as a vital digital backbone for the transmission of operational meteorological and hydrological products. Managed by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), it delivers data from sources like the Weather Forecast Offices and the Storm Prediction Center. This system is integral to the mission of the National Weather Service, ensuring timely delivery of products such as severe weather warnings and aviation forecasts. It operates in conjunction with other systems like NOAAPORT and the Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) to form a robust dissemination network.

Technical specifications

The system utilizes a C-band satellite broadcast via the GOES satellite system, specifically the GOES Data Collection System. Data is transmitted using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) over a dedicated Internet Protocol (IP) multicast stream, allowing for efficient one-to-many distribution. Reception requires a fixed satellite dish, a low-noise block downconverter (LNB), and specialized client software to decode and process the data feed. This architecture provides near-instantaneous nationwide coverage, a significant improvement over the older Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) circuit system that relied on teleprinter lines.

Data products and dissemination

It disseminates a comprehensive suite of operational products from the National Weather Service. This includes text-based forecasts, watches, and warnings issued by local Weather Forecast Offices and national centers like the National Hurricane Center. The feed also contains digital forecast grids from the National Digital Forecast Database, radar data from the NEXRAD network, and observational data from the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS). Products are categorized and prioritized, with critical items like tornado warnings receiving the highest transmission priority to ensure immediate delivery.

User base and applications

Primary users include federal and state agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Department of Defense, and state emergency management offices. Commercial sectors, including television broadcasters, private weather companies like AccuWeather and The Weather Channel, and utility companies, rely heavily on the data stream. Applications are diverse, ranging from real-time decision support for emergency managers during events like Hurricane Katrina to input for specialized forecast models and public alerting systems operated by local media.

History and evolution

The service was launched in 2000 as a cornerstone of the National Weather Service Modernization Act. It replaced the antiquated AFOS teletype network, which had been in service since the 1970s. This modernization was part of a broader technological shift within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that also included the deployment of the NEXRAD radar network and the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS). The transition to satellite dissemination marked a significant leap in reliability, speed, and data volume compared to the previous landline-based systems.

Operational management

Day-to-day technical operations and monitoring are handled by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction's Central Operations facility. The overarching program management and policy direction fall under the National Weather Service's Office of Dissemination. Coordination with other dissemination channels, such as the Emergency Managers Weather Information Network and the NOAAPORT broadcast, is managed to ensure redundancy and comprehensive coverage. System upgrades and maintenance are performed in collaboration with satellite operators like NASA and the United States Air Force, which manage the GOES satellite constellation.

Category:National Weather Service Category:Telecommunications in the United States Category:Meteorological data and networks