Critical fire weather conditions, severe thunderstorms capable of producing severe wind gusts, large hail, strong tornadoes and heavy rainfall remain on tap for the central U.S. this evening. Flash flooding is also possible for portions of the Plains and Mississippi Valley. Very large hail up to 3 inches in diameter will be possible this evening across western Kansas. Read More >
The NWS Eastern Region conducts the technical and service programs and the administrative support functions of the region in accordance with NOAA and National Weather Service policies. The regional office adjusts plans, policies, and resources affecting these programs. It manages all operational and scientific meteorological, hydrologic, and oceanographic programs of the region including observing networks, weather services, forecasting, and climatology and hydrology. The office conducts programs to review and upgrade the scientific programs and procedures at field offices. It monitors these services and adjusts resources to provide the most effective weather and warning services possible. Where appropriate, the office provides supporting services to other NOAA components located in the region.
The ER Meteorological Division manages regional programs for all weather prediction, warnings, and special services. The division advises field supervisors on implementation and interpretation of policies and procedures and conducts programs to monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of meteorological services. The division maintains close liaison with other Government agencies with weather-related needs. MSD monitors quality of FAA pilot briefings. The division recommends to the regional director the most efficient use of resources to improve meteorological services (economy of operations, changing demands, effective relations with general public and other user groups). MSD coordinates and collaborates with other regional divisions, other regions, and WSH program leaders in efforts to improve services.
National headquarters establishes programs, provides policy and broad level support while Regional headquarters refines policy, provides guidance and directs support for field operations. Hydrologic Services Division, as a part of the region office, provides management support of the Hydrologic Services Program in NWS field offices across the Eastern Region. There are 23 Weather Forecast Offices in the Eastern Region stretching from Maine to South Carolina. Each of these offices has a Hydrologic Service Area (HSA) for which they are responsible for providing important services including the issuance of Flood Watches and Warnings. There are 3 River Forecast Centers in the Eastern Region that provide hydrologic expertise and internal forecast guidance products to the HSAs.
The Scientific Services Division is focused on the Science, Training, and Professional Development for Eastern Region personnel. The Division supports the field, ERH divisions, the Regional Director, and NWS Headquarters by advising and coordinating scientific initiatives and research, collaborative activities, and training methodologies. It facilitates and supports scientific activities at Eastern Region field offices to meet the National Weather Service mission. The Scientific Services Division evaluates the effectiveness of existing techniques, develops and tests new regional and local procedures, and provides or adapts guidance materials to support the preparation of forecasts, warnings, and other services. The Division organizes and supports collaborative activities with universities and research laboratories to promote the transfer of scientific ideas and principles that further aid forecasting and warning decisions. It evaluates, modifies, and develops technical training materials to meet the Region's demand.
The Systems Operations Division provides overall regional management, planning, and direction for the integration, operation, and support of environmental observing systems, weather information processing systems, satellite information systems, communication systems, dissemination systems, office automation systems, and system interfaces including facilities and electronics installation and system maintenance. The Division implements NWS Headquarters policy; develops and recommends related regional policies, procedures, and plans; advises line managers on the implementation proposals for near-term regional systems improvements; and evaluates proposals for the development of new systems. It provides technical support for the integration of advanced observing (e.g., NEXRAD, ASOS, and Profilers) and weather information processing systems (AWIPS), as well as regional operation and maintenance of these advanced systems. The Division manages regional implementation of the NWS change and configuration management processes for operational weather systems and the regional planning and implementation of approved changes to those systems. It manages telecommunications and dissemination programs (including the NOAA Weather Wire Service and the NOAA Weather Radio) in support of NWS service objectives. The Division manages the program to train, examine, and certify weather observers; the regional cooperative observations program; the regional electronics maintenance program; and the regional facilities and facilities-liaison program. It recommends to the regional director the most efficient use of existing data systems, computer, telecommunications, electronics maintenance, and facilities resources to meet changing data and information requirements, to improve the support provided to the regional scientific and service programs, and to improve the economy of operations.
The Administrative Management Division serves as the regional focal point for conducting a wide variety of administrative activities in support of regional operations and is the primary liaison with the servicing Administrative Support Center. The Division provides advice and support in the following areas: equal employment opportunity, diversity, personnel, procurement, property, space management, budget/financial operations, payroll, mail and copy services, printing requirements, records and files, motor vehicle operations, supply and warehousing operations, travel, government housing, shipment of household goods, and utilities.
