Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Who is the National Weather Service and what is its mission?	The National Weather Service is an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is an agency under the Department of Commerce. The main mission of the National Weather Service includes protection of life and property by the issuance of forecasts and severe weather warnings.
How can I contact the National Weather Service in Charleston?	5777 South Aviation Avenue North Charleston, South Carolina 29406 Phone Number: 843-744-0303 Fax Number: 843-747-5405
What does the National Weather Service in Charleston do?	The NWS office in Charleston, South Carolina is responsible for forecast and severe weather warnings for 20 counties across southern South Carolina and southeast Georgia. Check out the description of our office, including a virtual tour.
How can I get climate information for southern South Carolina and southeast Georgia?	Check out our climate page for more information.
What is NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards?	Check out our NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards page for more information.
What is Doppler Radar?	Check out the NWS Radar Tutorial page for more details.
How can I become a National Weather Service SKYWARNTM Weather Spotter?	The NWS in Charleston requires you to take a basic spotter training class. Click here for the latest training schedule and here for more information on our SKYWARNTM program.
What does "PoP" refer to?	"PoP" refers to probability of precipitation. Further details can be found here.
What is the definition of a severe thunderstorm?	According to the NWS, a severe thunderstorm is a thunderstorm which produces winds 58 mph or greater and/or hail 3/4 inches or greater. Excessive lightning is not considered a part of the definition.
Do we do school/business talks and office tours?	Yes. You can contact John Quagliariello at John.Quagliariello@noaa.gov for more information.
How do I get a job with the National Weather Service?	Click here for qualifications needed to become a meteorologist. Check out the USA Jobs website for more information on current job openings.