A strong Santa Ana wind event will lead to critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions over portions of southern California Wednesday. Rafael has strengthened into a hurricane and is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday. Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for parts of the Florida Keys. It is too soon to determine any northern Gulf Coast impacts. Read More >
WELCOME... The National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington Forecast Office is located in Sterling, Virginia, on the north side of Dulles Airport-- about 25 miles west of downtown Washington, DC. Our mission is to provide weather, hydrologic, and climatic forecasts and warnings for the District of Columbia, much of Maryland, the northern third of Virginia, and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, including adjacent waters, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. To perform this duty, we have a staff of 25 meteorologists, management, and support personnel. Our office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Since the weather never takes a weekend or a holiday off, neither does our surveillance to protect the livelihood of the counties and cities we serve. Therefore, staff members who are assigned operational desks need to work rotating shifts in order to accomplish this task.
We would like to invite you "inside" to look around at the functions and programs of our office. We suggest following the frames in order by utilizing the links at the bottom of each page. However, you are free to wander around if you wish. If you choose to do so, use the links at the top of the page. Also, you may leave at any time by clicking on the EXIT link found on each page.
This tour maintained by:
Jared Klein
Meteorologist-General Forecaster
Last updated: Nov 2009 |