National Weather Association

National Weather Association is a professional organization that aims to support and promote excellence in weather forecasting, meteorology, and hydrology through various initiatives and activities, in collaboration with organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service (NWS), and the American Meteorological Society (AMS). The association works closely with renowned institutions like the University of Oklahoma, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to advance the field of meteorology. By partnering with organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Weather Association contributes to the development of emergency management strategies and disaster response plans. The association also engages with international organizations, such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), to promote global cooperation in weather forecasting and research.

● History

The National Weather Association was founded in 1975 by a group of professionals from the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other organizations, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Georgia Institute of Technology. The association's early years were marked by collaborations with prominent researchers from institutions like the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The National Weather Association has since grown to include members from a wide range of organizations, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the United States Air Force (USAF), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as well as universities like the University of Michigan, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The association has also worked closely with international partners, such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS), and the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (AMOS), to advance the field of meteorology.

● Organization

The National Weather Association is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from organizations like the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the American Meteorological Society (AMS), as well as universities like the University of Oklahoma and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The association has several committees, including the Committee on Weather Analysis and Forecasting and the Committee on Hydrology, which work closely with organizations like the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The National Weather Association also has a number of local chapters, including the Washington D.C. Chapter and the Chicago Chapter, which collaborate with institutions like the University of Maryland and the University of Chicago. The association's headquarters are located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it has partnerships with organizations like the North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

● Membership

Membership in the National Weather Association is open to professionals and students in the fields of meteorology, hydrology, and related disciplines, including those from organizations like the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the American Meteorological Society (AMS). Members include researchers from institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Washington, and the University of Colorado Boulder, as well as professionals from organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The association offers various membership categories, including regular membership, student membership, and corporate membership, and has partnerships with organizations like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Members of the National Weather Association have access to a range of benefits, including professional development opportunities, networking events, and publications like the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology and the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

● Awards_and_Honors

The National Weather Association presents several awards and honors to recognize excellence in weather forecasting, meteorology, and hydrology, including the NWA Lifetime Achievement Award and the NWA Award for Excellence in Meteorology. The association also offers scholarships and grants to students and early-career professionals, in partnership with organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The National Weather Association's awards and honors are presented at the association's annual meeting, which is held in conjunction with the American Meteorological Society (AMS) annual meeting, and feature keynote speakers from institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The association's awards and honors are also recognized by international organizations, such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).

● Publications

The National Weather Association publishes several publications, including the Journal of Operational Meteorology and the NWA Newsletter, which feature articles and research from institutions like the University of Michigan and the University of Texas at Austin. The association also publishes guidelines and standards for weather forecasting and hydrology, in collaboration with organizations like the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The National Weather Association's publications are available to members and non-members, and are widely cited in the fields of meteorology and hydrology, with contributions from researchers at institutions like the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The association's publications are also recognized by international organizations, such as the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS) and the European Geosciences Union (EGU).

● Conferences_and_Meetings

The National Weather Association hosts several conferences and meetings throughout the year, including the annual meeting, which is held in conjunction with the American Meteorological Society (AMS) annual meeting, and features keynote speakers from institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The association also hosts workshops and symposia on topics such as weather forecasting, hydrology, and emergency management, in partnership with organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The National Weather Association's conferences and meetings provide opportunities for professional development and networking for members and non-members, and feature presentations from researchers at institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Washington. The association's conferences and meetings are also recognized by international organizations, such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).

● Certification_Programs

The National Weather Association offers several certification programs for professionals in the fields of meteorology and hydrology, including the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) program and the Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) program, which are recognized by organizations like the National Weather Service (NWS) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS). The association's certification programs are designed to recognize excellence in weather forecasting and hydrology, and to provide a credential that is recognized by employers and clients, including institutions like the University of Michigan and the University of Texas at Austin. The National Weather Association's certification programs are also recognized by international organizations, such as the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS) and the European Geosciences Union (EGU). The association's certification programs are administered in partnership with organizations like the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and feature contributions from researchers at institutions like the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).