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Thunderstorms Across the Southeast U.S.; Elevated to Locally Critical Fire Weather in Colorado

A few strong to marginally severe thunderstorms are possible across the Southeast U.S. Friday. A Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) outlook has been issued. Strong winds and hail will be the main threats. Elevated to locally critical fire weather conditions will persist across south-central Colorado today due to dry conditions and gusty winds. Read More >

Anchorage Center Weather Service Unit

Center Weather Service Unit

2018 Aviation Workshop

Weather.gov > Anchorage Center Weather Service Unit > 2018 Aviation Workshop

The Alaska Weather and Aviation Connection Workshop

February 5, 2018

Session 1: National Weather Service Aviation Weather Products and Services for Alaska

  • EVOLVE NWS Alaska Initiative
    Carven Scott (Regional Director, NWS Alaska Region)
    The NWS’s Alaska Region  is making changes to its organizational structure and the delivery of some weather information.  This presentation will discuss these changes, their impacts to aviation weather products and services, and discuss plans for the future.
    Presentation Slides
     
  • TAFs in Alaska: Current Status and Future Plans
    Mike Graf (Meteorologist/International Liaison, NWS Aviation and Space Weather Services Branch)
    The FAA has identified a need for additional TAFs to support Part 121 flight operations in Alaska. This presentation will describe the resources required to generate a TAF, who is currently creating TAFs, and challenges to expanding these products in the future.
    Presentation Slides
     
  • NWS Alaska Aviation Weather Unit and Anchorage Center Weather Service Unit Virtual Tour
    Carrie Haisley (Meteorologist-in-Charge, NWS Anchorage Center Weather Service Unit)
    A virtual tour of AAWU and CWSU will provide an overview of the data and tools used to create the NWS’s aviation forecasts and an introduction to the people that create them.
    Presentation Slides
     
  • NWS Alaska Region TAF Operations
    David Kochevar (Lead Meteorologist & Aviation Focal Point, Anchorage Weather Forecast Office)
    This presentation will provide an overview of the tools used by NWS forecasters to produce TAFs for Alaska. 
    Presentation Slides
     
  • NWS Aviation Weather Center Overview
    Joshua Scheck (Chief, NWS Aviation Support Branch)
    This presentation will provide an overview of the aviation forecast products produced by the AWC for the CONUS and beyond.
    Presentation Slides
     
  • NWS Aviation Weather Center PIREP Initiative Update
    Dan Vietor (Senior Research Meteorologist, NWS Aviation Weather Center)
    The AWC recently launches a webpage that allows pilots, airline dispatchers, and other approved groups to directly input PIREPs.  This presentation will provide an overview of that webpage and the results to date.
    Presentation Slides

Session 2: Federal Aviation Administration Weather Products and Services for Alaska

  • FAA PIREP Improvement Team Update
    Andrew McClure (Staff Support Specialist, FAA Alaska Flight Services)
    The Alaska Flight Service Program is leading a state-wide effort to improve the quality and quantity of PIREPs, which will help the aviation and weather forecasting communities.  A summary of those efforts and initial progress will be presented.
    Presentation Slides
     
  • FAA Weather Camera Program Update
    Walter Combs (Manager, FAA AK Aviation Weather Camera Program)
    The FAA Weather Camera Program has over 230 camera sites in Alaska.  This presentation will provide an update on the program and plans for continued expansion and development.
    Presentation Slides
     
  • FAA Weather Products for Alaska Overview Part 1
    Jenny Colavito (Engineer and Project Manager, FAA New Weather Concept Development Branch)
    The Weather Research Branch is developing new Alaska-specific products to improve icing, turbulence, and ceiling/visibility forecasts.  This presentation will provide an overview of these efforts and an anticipated timeline of when users might expect to see the results.
    Presentation Slides
     
  • FAA Weather Products for Alaska Overview Part 2
    Gary Pokodner (Program Manager, FAA Weather Research Branch)
    Presentation Slides

Session 3: Aviation Weather Industry Update

  • AOPA  Alaska Feedback Summary
    Rune Duke (Director of Government Affairs, Airspace & Air Traffic, AOPA)
    AOPA conducted national surveys to learn how pilots obtain weather information at various stages of flight operations as well as how they provide and consume PIREPs.  An Alaska-focused summary of these surveys will be provided, along with discussion of lessons learned and future implications.
    Presentation Slides

February 6, 2018

  • NTSB PIREP Study Summary
    Paul Suffern (Senior Meteorologist Investigator, National Transportation Safety Board)
    The NTSB released a Special Investigation Report on PIREPs in March, 2017.  This presentation will give a brief summary of the findings, with emphasis on Alaska conditions, and discuss actions needed to improve the PIREP system.
    Presentation Slides
     
  • Meteorological Services of Canada Overview
    Greg Jackson (Senior Meteorologist CMAC-West)
    Many of Alaska's pilots also fly in Canada.  This presentation will provide an overview of the Canadian Meteorological Aviation Centre's operations and forecast products.
    Presentation Slides