National Weather Service facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
National Weather Service

Agency overview
Formed	February 9, 1870
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Silver Spring, Maryland
Agency executive	Dr. John "Jack" L. Hayes, Director
Parent agency	NOAA
Website	www.nws.noaa.gov

The National Weather Service (also known as NWS) is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States government. Its job is to provide "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." This is done through a collection of national and regional centers, and more than 122 local weather forecast offices (WFOs). Since the NWS is a government agency, most of its products are in the public domain.

Organization

Typical forecast office (WFO)

Specially designed hurricane-proof building constructed to house joint offices of the Houston-Galveston National Weather Service Forecast Office and the Galveston County Emergency Management Office.

• National Weather Service (NWS)
  • Chief Information Officer
  • National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)
    • Aviation Weather Center (AWC)
    • Climate Prediction Center (CPC)
    • Environmental Modeling Center (EMC)
    • Weather Prediction Center (WPC)
    • Ocean Prediction Center (OPC)
    • NCEP Central Operations
    • Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC)
    • Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
    • National Hurricane Center (NHC)
      • Hurricane Specialist Unit (HSU)
      • Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB)
      • Technical Support Branch (TSB)
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Operational Systems
  • Hydrologic Development
  • Science and Technology
    • Programs and Plans
    • Meteorological Development Laboratory (MDL)
  • Climate, Water and Weather Services
  • 6 Regions (Eastern, Central, Southern, Western, Alaska & Pacific)
    • 122 Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs)
    • 21 Center Weather Service Units (CWSU)
    • 13 River Forecast Centers (RFC)
    • Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC)
    • National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC)
  • Spaceflight Meteorology Group (SMG)

Images for kids

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  NWS HQ in Silver Spring, Maryland

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  Sample maximum temperature map from the NDFD.

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  NWS IMET Chris Gibson taking observations in the field.

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  Meteorologists preparing a forecast, early 20th century.

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  National AHPS map.

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  The National Weather Service areas of marine weather forecasting responsibility.

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  Sample CPC 3.5-month temperature outlook.

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  An Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS).

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  A Cooperative Observer Program weather station.

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  3-metre (9.8 ft) discus buoy located off the Southeast U.S. coast.

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  A radiosonde shortly after launch.

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  A NWS composite radar image of the Continental United States, composed of many regional radars.