-------- Original Message --------
909
NOUS41 KWBC 181416
PNSWSH
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...COMMENT REQUEST
NATIONAL WEATHERSERVICE HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON DC
920 AM EST WED FEB 18 2009
TO: SUBSCRIBERS:
-FAMILY OF SERVICES
-NOAA WEATHER WIRE SERVICE
-EMERGENCY MANAGERS WEATHER INFORMATION NETWORK
OTHER NWS PARTNERS...AND NWS EMPLOYEES
FROM: EDWARD JOHNSON
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND POLICY OFFICE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
SUBJECT: COMMENTS REQUESTED BY MAY 15 2009 ON PROPOSED
CLARIFICATION OF NWS SUPPORT FOR STATE/LOCAL
DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION:
NWS IS SEEKING COMMENTS BY MAY 15 2009 ON A PROPOSED CLARIFICATION OF
ITS POLICY REGARDING SUPPORT FOR STATE AND LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF
TRANSPORTATION /DOT/. HAZARDOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS OFTEN NEGATIVELY
IMPACT SURFACE TRANSPORTATION. NWS SUPPORT OF DOTS FOCUSES ON OUR
EXPERTISE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE EVOLUTION AND TIMING OF HAZARDOUS
WEATHER EVENTS.
WHILE NWS CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT TO OUR TRANSPORTATION PARTNERS AS THEY
MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF WEATHER-RELATED HAZARDS...MORE COMPREHENSIVE
SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FROM AMERICA/S WEATHER INDUSTRY /PRIVATE SECTOR
PROVIDERS OF WEATHER SERVICES/...SUCH AS FORECASTING SURFACE/PAVEMENT
CONDITIONS TO SUPPORT WINTER ROAD MAINTENANCE DECISIONS.
THE NWS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WEATHER INDUSTRY HELPS IMPROVE THE OVERALL
LEVEL OF SERVICE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC. THE INTENT OF THE PROPOSED
POLICY PRINCIPLES IS TO CLARIFY THE NWS ROLE IN PROVIDING PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES AS WELL AS ADDRESS THE ROLE OF PRIVATE SECTOR WEATHER
PROVIDERS IN PROVIDING COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES. WE BELIEVE THAT GREATER
CLARITY ON ROLES WILL LEAD TO BETTER SERVICES FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.
THE PROPOSED POLICY PRINCIPLES ARE ONLINE AT /USE LOWERCASE/:
HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SP/DOTSUPPORT.HTM
THIS PROPOSAL IS NOT A CHANGE IN OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF SUPPORT BUT
RATHER A CLARIFICATION OF THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT NWS IS COMMITTED TO
PROVIDE. PLEASE SEND COMMENTS BY MAY 15 2009 TO:
NWSSP.COMMENTS@xxxxxxxx
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS...PLEASE CONTACT:
WENDY LEVINE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND POLICY OFFICE
301-713-3380
WENDY.LEVINE@xxxxxxxx
NATIONAL NOTIFICATION MESSAGES ARE ONLINE AT
/USE LOWERCASE/:
HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/OS/NOTIF.HTM
$$