Issue Date Org. Code NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Program Part Chap.
7-22-70 W1x1 Operations Manual 010 A 60
040
FIELD STATION ORGANIZATION
Table of Contents:
1. Purpose
2. Nomenclature
3.1 National Meteorological Center
3.2 National Hurricane Center
3.3 Weather Bureau Forecast Offices (WBFO); Weather Bureau Offices (WBO);
Weather Bureau Meteorological Observatories (WBM0)
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1. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to document nomenclature and define chain of command for Weather Bureau field stations.
2. Nomenclature. The following standard nomenclature form is to be used for Weather Bureau field stations ("field station" as used here denotes any operational field facility performing forecasting, service, and/or observing functions):
National Meteorological Center (NMC); National Severe Storms Forecast Center (NSSFC); National Hurricane Center (NHC) -- These centers, comprising the first echelon of the meteorological forecast organization, will be known by their individual names, even though certain segments of these centers may deal directly with the public.
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center (EPHC); Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) -- These centers, comprising the first echelon of the meteorological forecast organization for hurricane forecasting services in their areas of responsibility will be known by these titles in conjunction with hurricane activities only. At other times they will be known by their alternate designators, i.e., WBFO San Francisco and WBFO Honolulu.
Regional Weather Center (RWC) -- A facility with regional responsibility for the monitoring and quality control of all meteorological forecast products and services provided to users by the forecast system. At times its regional warning coordination responsibilities entail interpretation of first echelon guidance for the use of other Weather Bureau offices. In addition, aviation areal products based upon guidance from NMC, NSSFC, and/or NHC may be prepared and disseminated directly to users.
River Forecast Center (RFC) -- A facility in the first echelon of the hydrologic forecast organization. This center does not usually have contact with the public. River forecast and\flood warning distribution is made by a Weather Bureau Forecast Office (WBFO), or in some instances by a Weather Bureau Office (WBO), which has been assigned river district and hydrologic data collection and dissemination responsibilities.
Weather Bureau Forecast Office (WBFO) -- A facility in the second echelon of the forecast organization which prepares forecasts in one or more programs based upon guidance from NMC, NSSFC, NHC, EPHC, and/or CPHC (aided by non-routine RWC interpretation of this guidance). Many other functions may be performed within this office or under the direction of the MIC of this office.
Weather Bureau Office (WBO) -- A facility in the third echelon of the forecast organization providing forecasts and services in one or more programs directly to users, based at least in part upon advice contained in forecast products prepared by a WBFO (forecast procedures require that all (forecast--products being issued for an area must be consistent with the current WBFO public forecasts for that area); or a facility without forecast responsibility providing service to users (e.g., a state climatologist's office).
Weather Bureau Meteorological Observatory (WBMO) -- A facility which is devoted to the conduct of one or more observing programs.
It will be permissible to use more definitive terminology for single-purpose offices when required for clarity, e.g., WBO (Agriculture), WBO (Aviation), WBO (State Climatology), or WBO (Fire Weather).
3. Chain of Command. This section defines, in broad terms, the chain of command for Weather Bureau field facilities (see chapters C-40 and C-41 for detailed discussions of day-to-day working relationships in the tornado and hurricane program areas). No attempt is made to indicate delegation below the director level. For example, in some regions the WBFO's may-report to the Chief, Operations, on most matters. Such arrangements are to be defined elsewhere (ROML's, program letters, and/or ESSA organizational handbook issuances).
3.1 National Meteorological Center (NMC). NMC reports directly to the Director, Weather Bureau.
3.2 National Hurricane Center (NHC). NHC reports directly to the Director, Weather Bureau, on all technical matters pertaining to the national hurricane warning service. On other technical and administrative matters the NHC reports to the Director, Southern Region.
3.3 Other First Echelon Centers. All other first echelon centers (EPHC, CPHC, NSSFC, RWC's, and RFC's) report directly to the appropriate regional director.
3.4 Weather Bureau Forecast Offices (WBPO); Weather Bureau Offices (WBO); Weather Bureau Meteorological Observatories (WBMO). These offices report directly to the regional director, with one exception. At the option of the regional director WBO's and WBMD's in the same general vicinity of a larger office may be attached to that office. Usually this arrangement will be limited to situations where the offices are in the same metropolitan area.
WBOM Issuance
70-31 7-22-70