NOAA’s Role in Weather Forecasting and Community Preparedness

1. NOAA’s Role in Weather Forecasting and Community Preparedness • Decision Support • NOAA remains focused on supporting high impact events where weather is a factor. Whether it is a tropical cyclone threat or a fire explosion. Population at Risk

2. NWS Mission The National Weather Service provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database and infrastructure which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public, and the global community.

3. NOAA’s Five Line Offices

4. Who We Are

5. What We Do It Central Guidance Local Offices Observe Process Products & Services Respond & Feedback Distribute IBM SP at Bowie Computer Center in Bowie, MD Feedback

6. The average person only sees the tip of the iceberg TV Radio Internet Private Weather Companies NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE 121 Weather Forecast Offices Issue Local Forecasts & Warnings National Centers for Environmental Prediction Model Simulations Climate & Seasonal Outlooks Aviation & Marine Forecasts Storm & Tornado Prediction Hurricane Tracks River Forecasts Hydropower, Flood warnings Irrigation, River Navigation Observations Radar Network, Satellites, Weather Balloons, Ground-level observations at airports, Aircraft, Lightning Network, Data Buoys, Stream Gauge Network, 11,000 Volunteer daily-data collectors, Thousands of Volunteer storm spotters

7. HURRICANES HURRICANE ISAAC NOAA/NESDIS

8. Hurricanes – Tropical Storms Detection and forecasting is a shared responsibility between National Hurricane Center and the San Juan Forecast Office. NHC covers big picture, determines what the storm is doing at present and what it may do over the next few hours or days. NHC monitors suspicious areas via satellite, buoys, reconnaissance aircraft, and ground reports. NHC uses computer model guidance to assess future track and intensity, and determine potential watches and warnings areas.

9. Hurricanes – Tropical Storms Communicate uncertainty and impacts so our customers can make informed decisions Develop localized picture of timing and affect Local San Juan NWS Office analyses NHC data and combines with other local data to forecast the potential impact of the storm on the local area, and coordinates watches and warnings with NHC.

10. Community Preparedness

11. Tsunami Readiness Tsunami detection and warning is a function of the Alaska West Coast Tsunami Warning Center in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Seismic Network. Local NWS San Juan Office receives warnings, watches and advisories from the tsunami warning center. NWS San Juan activates the Emergency Alert System in case a tsunami watch, warning or advisory is issued. NOAA’s National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program provides guidance and funding to the Puerto Rico Seismic Network for implementing local tsunami preparedness and to assist with the NWS TsunamiReady program across the island.

12. Community Preparedness StormReady and TsunamiReady

13. Recommendations Intergovernmental Coordinating Group for the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG-C) UNESCO/IOC body The establishment of a Caribbean Tsunami Warning Center and Caribbean Tsunami Information Center. Near shore bathymetry and topo digital elevation models

14. UPRM Meteorology Program Physics Department • Under the Umbrella of UPR-DOC MOU • Started in 2003 • Under represented groups into the NWS pipeline • NWS San Juan has recruited 3 program graduates • 21 summer internships across NWS Southern Region Offices • Highly qualified students with different background