Straight Talk:
News from the Strategic Initiative Teams

Bill Bunting has stepped in for Concept of Operations Strategic Initiative Team Leader Mike Foster who is recovering from an accident and can not travel at this time. Mike - we wish you a speedy recovery. In true leadership form, you took the charge and got the team moving. Now it is Bill's job to finish the important work started under your direction. Thank you for your dedication. I'm sure Bill and the team will proudly carry the torch for you.

The Tiger Teams' work is just the beginning of the road ahead. We are looking at a future where the National Weather Service strives to be: the Nation's premier predictor of all weather events, including all environmental phenomena; the employer of choice by offering new opportunities in climate, and ocean services; a model partner with other federal agencies, demonstrating adaptability, sound science and forward thinking; and the leader in helping NOAA become the critical resource across the federal private, international, and space sectors.

No matter what is decided - and no final decisions have been made at this time -- we will travel down a road of checks and balances. We will not change the way the National Weather Service operates until we demonstrate to ourselves and to America that the level of service that America expects of us is not compromised.

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Bumper Stickers: Vote!

Thanks for the many, many ideas submitted in October for the bumper sticker contest.
A lot of you participated (including several retirees) and came up with some creative ideas; in total we received more than 150 ideas. From that total we've winnowed the list down to the top candidates.

Now we're looking for your input on what you like the best. Send your vote for your favorite (we allowed multiple bumper sticker idea entries, but for the vote you are limited to only one choice, and only one vote per person). Cast your vote here by close of business on December 16. (You'll need to log in to vote using your NOAA e-mail ID – firstname.lastname, and password.)

We'll tally the popular vote and provide that information to General Johnson, and he will make the final decision.

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National Weather Service Unveils New Precipitation Web Page

High-quality precipitation analyses used for flood forecasts, drought monitoring and climate trends are now available on NOAA's National Weather Service Web site as an experimental service. NWS is seeking comments on this service in accord with NOAA and NWS policies.

The high resolution precipitation data will help government agencies, river authorities, agribusiness, hydro-power utility companies and others make better, more cost-effective decisions about water management and the impacts of water surpluses and shortages. Emergency management agencies will be able to monitor impending flood conditions and conduct more effective operations during floods.

"Water resource managers can use this information to optimize water allocation to meet competing municipal, industrial, and environmental demands," said Thomas Graziano, Chief of the NWS Hydrological Services Program.

All NWS River Forecast Centers (RFCs) use precipitation analysis in their operational models. This effort brings together these pieces in one place and makes them available in standard graphics and data formats.

The precipitation analysis combines high resolution radar observations from 150 NEXRAD radars and measurements from more than 4,000 rain gauges. Data resolution is approximately 4 kilometers (2.2 miles, and the analysis is available for the contiguous states and Puerto Rico.

The Web site provides precipitation totals for the previous day, the last seven days, the last 14 days, the current month to date, and the current year to date. It is also possible to compare precipitation estimates to normal precipitation, as a percentage of normal, and departure from normal.

"Climate users will be happy to hear plans are already underway to create 30-, 60-, 90- and 180-day durations as well," noted Ken Pavelle of the Arkansas-Red River Forecast Center, a key developer of this suite of precipitation Web pages. Users have the option of downloading the information shown in the Web graphics in geographic information systems (GIS) format as well as in NetCDF (network Common Data Form).

"Because of standard formatting, the private sector can use the high-resolution precipitation information to develop value-added services, helping the NWS fulfill its commitment to fostering the Nation's weather enterprise," added Graziano.

"The ability to compare current precipitation estimates to normal conditions at local scales will dramatically expand opportunities for climatologists to address local-scale questions," said Robert Livezey, Chief of the NWS Climate Services Program. "In particular, I expect this information to become an important part of the proposed National Integrated Drought Information System, for which NOAA is leading the planning effort."

This project is the culmination of an effort that started more than 10 years ago at the Arkansas-Red River Forecast Center. As a result of positive user feedback, all NWS RFCs in the Southern Region collaborated to produce a Regional analysis in 2002. The other NWS Regions also quickly recognized the value of the product and joined forces to create the national analysis.

"This is an outstanding example of a good idea moving from the local level to a national product," said Gary Carter, NOAA's Hydrology Program Manager. "What is particularly noteworthy about this effort is the willingness of all parts of the Hydrologic Services Program to work together, transcending local agendas, to develop a nationally integrated product."

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Two NWS Employees Are Presidential Rank Award Winners

On November 16, 2005, five NOAA employees, two from NWS, received 2005 Presidential Rank Awards: Stephen Lord, Director of the Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) within the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP); and Max Mayfield, Director, of NCEP's Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center (TPC/NHC).

Lord was recognized for his leadership of the EMC, which has developed computer models for weather, climate, and air quality prediction with breakthrough performance, thereby providing NOAA model guidance of unprecedented accuracy and reliability to the Nation. Mayfield was recognized for his leadership of TPC/NHC, and for his tireless outreach efforts which have been a major contribution to ensuring the best possible results during hurricane events.

NOAA's three other Meritorious Presidential Rank Award Winners were employees of NOAA Research: James Kimpel, Director of NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory; Venkatachala Ramaswamy, Senior Scientist of NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory; and Petrus Tans of NOAA's Climate Modeling and Diagnostics Laboratory.

Each year the President gives Presidential Rank Awards to a small group of career Senior Executives who demonstrate strength, integrity, industry, and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service.

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Eastern Region Headquarters and Machado Honored for Intern Efforts

By Marcie Katcher
NWS Eastern Region Public Affairs Officer

NWS Eastern Region (ER) Headquarters and the ER electronics program manager recently earned awards from a Long Island, NY, organization, for helping students develop career skills.

Hector Machado, Electronics Program Manager for Eastern Region, accepted several awards from the Long Island Workforce Builders. A very small percentage of more than 100,000 employers on Long Island were honored for their efforts to strengthen Long Island's economy and ensure successful futures for its young students.

Earlier this year, Machado represented the NWS in accepting two awards; the Tech Prep, Certificate of Award, by the Mid Suffolk Tech Prep Consortium and the Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) School-to-Career, Work-Based Learning Initiatives Award. At a recent awards luncheon, Machado also earned the Leadership in Government Award from the Long Island Works Coalition for the work with BOCES.

Although Machado has been receiving accolades, the real story is what he gives back to his community. As a result, the NWS has benefited with skilled interns, who learned and supported NOAA's NWS critical missions last winter. Machado had a similar internship opportunity years ago, and now he offers the same opportunity to BOCES students. Machado, who has been employed with NWS for more than 20 years, invited the students to tour the NWS facility in Bohemia, view first-hand the equipment and be introduced to members of the NWS staff.

One NWS intern, Frank Barta, felt that securing his internship was "invaluable as far as experience goes," as it would enhance his knowledge, and be a noteworthy reference, since he ultimately wants a job with the Weather Service.

Another student who benefited from an NWS internship is Matt Holland, who worked at NWS to make the Systems Operation Division's website Section 508 compliant. (Section 508 requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities.) Holland's job was to install this new software. With the assistance from his mentor, Robin Miller, NWS Information Technology Specialist, Matt learned how important a business setting internship is to his future endeavors.

"It provided me exposure to a real work experience environment to use the skills I learned in my Computer Technology class," Holland said.

The intern program is a win-win situation, according to Eastern Region Headquarters Director Dean Gulezian.

Hector Machado accepts the Workforce Builders Leadership in Government Award on behalf of the NWS from Cheryl Davidson, Executive Director, Long Island Works Coalition (on the right) and Jean Tesoriero, KeySpan.

"We at Eastern Region Headquarters have been long supporters of the community we live in," Gulezian said. "Whether it's supporting BOCES's internship program, assisting local charities through the Combined Federal Campaign, or donating materials to a local women's shelter, our people are involved."

"Mr. Machado is to be commended for his involvement and taking the opportunity to give back to our community. Our Information Services Section is also commended for taking our two BOCES interns under their wing," said Mickey Brown, Deputy Director, Eastern Region.

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Partners Gather for Drought Presentation at WFO Chicago

Local and regional climate partners recently gathered at the Chicago, IL, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) for a presentation and discussion on the ongoing drought impacting the area.

Mike Palecki, regional climatologist at the Midwest Climate Center, along with Steve Hilberg, director of the Midwest Climate Center, presented information detailing the ongoing drought that continues to affect northern Illinois and Indiana to NWS staff at the Chicago, Davenport, and Lincoln offices.

Mike Palecki, Regional Climatologist at the Midwest Climate Center, discusses aspects of drought to NWS employees at the Chicago office recently. Photo by Christine Krause, Climate Focal Point, WFO Chicago.

Several presentations by both presenters contained information on the current drought that plague a good portion of Illinois. One topic covered was the extent of agriculture damage and losses to the state. Since this is the most significant drought to hit the area since 1988, a detailed comparison was provided for both years. The presentations also covered drought frequency and variations at regional and national levels with a more detailed look at the Palmer Drought Index.

"With attention lately focused on the drought in northern Illinois, we were lucky to have Mike and Steve to cover this topic of drought and its variations and present it not only to our office, but to two other offices who are also dealing with this issue. It really brings home the importance of this climate phenomenon" said Christine Krause, Chicago's Climate Focal Point and coordinator of this event.

The topic of drought also extended into the evening as Mike and Steve presented this information at the local chapter of the American Meteorological Society, including retired and current NWS employees in addition to some of the local media.

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Fall Cooperative Observer Newsletter Released

The Fall edition of the revised and updated National Cooperative Newsletter was just posted online. The newsletter offers news and features for the 11,000 plus NWS Cooperative Observers. The newsletter also features photos and stories of observers and institutions who have contributed to the weather service and its predecessors from 10 years to 150 years! To download the free newsletter, go to:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/coop/newsletters/coop-news9-05.pdf.

If you work with coop observers, encourage them to sign up for our free email subscription list at http://www.weather.gov/os/coop/coopnews_list.shtml.

Articles are welcome. For more information or to submit articles, contact Melody.Magnus@noaa.gov.

Also On the Web...
Federal Times Profiles Kiser

NWS Tropical Cyclone Program Manager Scott Kiser is profiled in a recent issue of Federal Times. Read the story here.

Snapshots

Click here for a look at photos we've received from around the NWS.