GIS Support for Field GIS Support for Field OfficesOffices

Hydrology Program Managers ConferenceHydrology Program Managers Conference

SR Breakout SessionSR Breakout Session

December 5, 2002December 5, 2002

Ben WeigerBen Weiger

Chief, Hydrologic ServicesChief, Hydrologic Services

GIS SupportGIS Support

Internet Mapping Service (IMS) Information Team Internet Mapping Service (IMS) Information Team StatusStatus

SR ARC IMS Server StatusSR ARC IMS Server Status Status of FFMP script conversionStatus of FFMP script conversion GIS trainingGIS training

IMS Information Team StatusIMS Information Team Status SR representative – Jack Settelmaier (SSD)

Team analysis will include- potential impacts on NWS web servers- IMS software options- ease of access- national consistency- workload considerations- cost effectiveness

Team will not address- web interface design - data content- product format.

IMS Information Team StatusIMS Information Team Status

Team Decision - use ArcIMS – no Team Decision - use ArcIMS – no compelling reason to move from earlier compelling reason to move from earlier team recommendationteam recommendation- No robust COTS with IMS functionalityNo robust COTS with IMS functionality- Follows direction of NOAAFollows direction of NOAA

Used by NOS Enterprise GIS effortUsed by NOS Enterprise GIS effort- Briefed to and encouraged by Adm. Briefed to and encouraged by Adm.

LautenbacherLautenbacher

IMS Team StatusIMS Team Status

IssuesIssues- Development of business case going slowlyDevelopment of business case going slowly

Team members committed to many other projectsTeam members committed to many other projects Need all team members to contributeNeed all team members to contribute Need for meeting in lieu of conference callsNeed for meeting in lieu of conference calls

- December in Silver SpringDecember in Silver Spring Deadline for completion of team’s work extended to Deadline for completion of team’s work extended to

end of February 2003.end of February 2003.

WGRFC providing various shape files for the NWSH ARC IMS server to support the IMS Information team briefing to Corporate Board.

Internet Mapping URLsInternet Mapping URLs

NDFD DemonstrationNDFD Demonstration- http://140.90.22.241/website/ndfd/ndfd

Storm Reports- http://140.90.22.241/website/stormreport/viewer.htm

River Conditions- http://140.90.22.241/website/riverconditions/viewer.htm

• WGRFC Effort (In Progress)- http://140.90.22.241/website/coopprecip/viewer.htm

• NOS Enterprise Info- http://www.csc.noaa.gov/GeoTools/htm/special.htm

SR ARCIMS Server StatusSR ARCIMS Server Status

Dissemination and Enhancement Team within Dissemination and Enhancement Team within CWWD providing technical oversight of this CWWD providing technical oversight of this project.project.

Goal to have ARCIMS on LINUX development Goal to have ARCIMS on LINUX development workstation/server in December 2002.workstation/server in December 2002.

HSB/SSD working closely with DET to get HSB/SSD working closely with DET to get development workstation/server online.development workstation/server online.

GIS team will contribute to developing a GUI for GIS team will contribute to developing a GUI for the SR ARCIMS server.the SR ARCIMS server.

FFMP Script ConversionFFMP Script ConversionAvenue to Visual BasicAvenue to Visual Basic

HSB raised this issue during HSD conference HSB raised this issue during HSD conference call.call.

NWSH took action to document legacy software NWSH took action to document legacy software requirements and submit an unfunded requirements and submit an unfunded requirement to the Corporate Board.requirement to the Corporate Board.

NWSH plans to coordinate draft document with NWSH plans to coordinate draft document with regions prior to official submission.regions prior to official submission.

GIS TrainingGIS Training

HSB/SSD plan to canvass field offices for GIS HSB/SSD plan to canvass field offices for GIS training needs.training needs.

HSB investigating regional GIS training classes HSB investigating regional GIS training classes opportunities at the NOAA Coastal Data opportunities at the NOAA Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC) and NOAA Coastal Development Center (NCDDC) and NOAA Coastal Services Center (CSC).Services Center (CSC).

Both locations offer significant discounts for Both locations offer significant discounts for ESRI GIS training.ESRI GIS training.

If you know of other institutions offering GIS If you know of other institutions offering GIS training at discount prices, please let us know.training at discount prices, please let us know.

Customer SurveysCustomer SurveysHydrology Program Managers ConferenceHydrology Program Managers Conference

SR Breakout SessionSR Breakout SessionDecember 5, 2002December 5, 2002

Ben WeigerBen WeigerChief, Hydrologic ServicesChief, Hydrologic Services

Customer SurveysCustomer Surveys

Regulations for soliciting customer feedback Regulations for soliciting customer feedback during meeting, conferences, or workshops less during meeting, conferences, or workshops less stringent than web-based surveys.stringent than web-based surveys.

Do not require any formal approvals from NOAA.Do not require any formal approvals from NOAA. Do not use the word “survey” in any handout Do not use the word “survey” in any handout

provided to customers at a meeting, conference, provided to customers at a meeting, conference, or workshop to solicit feedback on NWS products or workshop to solicit feedback on NWS products and services. and services.

Customer SurveysCustomer Surveys

NWS has developed a baseline customer survey to NWS has developed a baseline customer survey to acquire feedback on experimental products/services acquire feedback on experimental products/services via the INTERNET.via the INTERNET.

- http://products.weather.govhttp://products.weather.gov

Field offices can edit the baseline survey to solicit Field offices can edit the baseline survey to solicit feedback from customers on specific experimental feedback from customers on specific experimental products and services. products and services.

Customer SurveysCustomer Surveys

NOAA has web page with guidance about conducting customer surveysNOAA has web page with guidance about conducting customer surveys

- www.cio.noaa.gov/itmanagement/praguide.htmwww.cio.noaa.gov/itmanagement/praguide.htm Click on customer surveys and Frequently Asked Questions Click on customer surveys and Frequently Asked Questions

for further information.for further information.

Web page above has an approved web based survey that you can Web page above has an approved web based survey that you can tailor to a specific product/service. NOAA clearance takes about 2-3 tailor to a specific product/service. NOAA clearance takes about 2-3 weeks. weeks.

NWS Customer SurveyNWS Customer Survey

NWS-approved Customer SurveyNWS-approved Customer Survey

NOAA-approved Customer SurveyNOAA-approved Customer Survey

NOAA-approved Customer SurveyNOAA-approved Customer Survey

NOAA-approved Customer SurveyNOAA-approved Customer Survey

COOP ProgramCOOP Program

SR Breakout SessionDecember 5, 2002Ben WeigerChief, Hydrologic Services

COOP ModernizationStatus

COOP ModernizationCOOP Modernization

Network spatial study Network spatial study Phase I (Rescue)Phase I (Rescue) Phase II (Modernization)Phase II (Modernization)

Figure 6. Color scheme number of current COOP sites per 20 x 20 mile grid

2/4/2002Needed: One site per 20 x 20 mile grid (gray box)

Figure 41. Color scheme number of current COOP sites per 60 x 60 mile grid

Problem: Most sites not reporting daily temp and precip data.

COOP Program ModernizationCOOP Program Modernization

Implementation:Implementation:

- $1.9M investment for FY02$1.9M investment for FY02 5,000 temperature (MMTS) display units 5,000 temperature (MMTS) display units 300 F&P upgrades deploy early FY03300 F&P upgrades deploy early FY03

Phase I

Budget StatusBudget Status

FY 2002 BudgetFY 2002 Budget $300K included in OAR U.S. Senate mark for improved daily temp. $300K included in OAR U.S. Senate mark for improved daily temp.

forecasts (modeling & sensors)forecasts (modeling & sensors)

Updated phone lines at New England sites to report Updated phone lines at New England sites to report temperature hourlytemperature hourly

FY 2003 BudgetFY 2003 Budget President’s FY03 budget allocates $3M for COOP modernizationPresident’s FY03 budget allocates $3M for COOP modernization

Modernization of 200 platforms for Southeast USModernization of 200 platforms for Southeast US

COOP Modernization Plan Phase II Status - BudgetCOOP Modernization Plan Phase II Status - Budget

http://140.90.22.241/website/coop

COOP Program Phase II Project GoalsCOOP Program Phase II Project Goals

Improve Drought & Climate MonitoringImprove Drought & Climate Monitoring

Improve Snowfall MonitoringImprove Snowfall Monitoring

Improve Flood Forecast AccuracyImprove Flood Forecast Accuracy

Improve Local Temperature ForecastsImprove Local Temperature Forecasts

Increase Data AvailabilityIncrease Data Availability

Modernization

NWS ChallengesNWS ChallengesDrought & Climate MonitoringDrought & Climate Monitoring

• Fill gaps in coverage – west & AlaskaFill gaps in coverage – west & Alaska

• Make county-level data availableMake county-level data available

Snowfall MonitoringSnowfall Monitoring

• Increase density/reporting for improved winter crop Increase density/reporting for improved winter crop assessment/planningassessment/planning

• Currently only 1,500 sites report dailyCurrently only 1,500 sites report daily

Flood ForecastsFlood Forecasts

• Increase number of gages per radar to improve radar Increase number of gages per radar to improve radar precipitation estimatesprecipitation estimates

• Reduce river forecast errors for improved flood Reduce river forecast errors for improved flood mitigation decisionsmitigation decisions

NWS Challenges (cont.)NWS Challenges (cont.) Temperature ForecastTemperature Forecast

• Expand basis for local forecasts beyond 1,000 airport sites used todayExpand basis for local forecasts beyond 1,000 airport sites used today

• Make forecasts more representative of surrounding areaMake forecasts more representative of surrounding area

Data AvailabilityData Availability

• Expand real-time availability of observations beyond airportsExpand real-time availability of observations beyond airports

• Eliminate current one day to 2 months lag in COOP data availabilityEliminate current one day to 2 months lag in COOP data availability

Data Accuracy and QualityData Accuracy and Quality

• Standardize observing biasesStandardize observing biases

• Improve and automate quality control of dataImprove and automate quality control of data

Prediction – Forecast Accuracy/Increased Data Availability

Hourly COOP precipitation data will be combined with radar estimates for more Hourly COOP precipitation data will be combined with radar estimates for more accurate real-time precipitation estimates.accurate real-time precipitation estimates.

More accurate precipitation estimates improve forecast accuracy.More accurate precipitation estimates improve forecast accuracy.

Benefit: Improved Flood Forecast Accuracy

24 hr Raw Radar Estimate

24 hour RFC-Wide Multisensor Precipitation Estimate

COOP gage reports

Timely CO-OP observations Timely CO-OP observations would have allowed for more would have allowed for more accurate county forecastsaccurate county forecasts

$400 M in damages could have $400 M in damages could have been mitigatedbeen mitigated

Devastating Florida FreezeJanuary 18, 1997

Decrease Temperature Forecast Error from 4.6Decrease Temperature Forecast Error from 4.6ºº F to 3.1 F to 3.1ºº F F Increase Daily Reporting Temperature Sites from 1,500 to 8,000Increase Daily Reporting Temperature Sites from 1,500 to 8,000

Improving Temperature Forecast Accuracy

ActionsActions Modernize Temperature and Precipitation Gages at Modernize Temperature and Precipitation Gages at

locations identified in the spatial density studylocations identified in the spatial density study

Add Automated Data Communication, Add Automated Data Communication, Dissemination, & Archiving at these sitesDissemination, & Archiving at these sites- Temperature and precipitation data reported every Temperature and precipitation data reported every

hourhour- Snowfall data reported every daySnowfall data reported every day

Improve Spatial Distribution (Increase Density in Improve Spatial Distribution (Increase Density in West & Alaska)West & Alaska)

Equip 1,000 Sites with Soil Moisture,Temperature, Equip 1,000 Sites with Soil Moisture,Temperature, Humidity, & Evaporation SensorsHumidity, & Evaporation Sensors

Disseminate All Data Via InternetDisseminate All Data Via Internet

COOP ModernizationCOOP Modernization

COOPObserver Interactive

data terminal

Manual snowfall &snow depth, etc.

NWS NetServer/QC

NCDC/Data QC

Automated temp& precip

Transportable media

Communications throughGOES DCP

InternetWireless link

System Architecture

Outcomes: Modernized NetworkOutcomes: Modernized Network

Network ElementsNetwork ElementsCurrentCurrent

Daily Reporting Daily Reporting SitesSites

GoalGoalHourly Reporting Hourly Reporting

SitesSites

Economic Economic BenefitsBenefits

TemperatureTemperature 1,500 1,500 8,0008,000

Save Consumers Save Consumers $30M/day per $30M/day per Degree Degree ImprovementImprovement

Seasonal forecast Seasonal forecast improvementimprovement

PrecipitationPrecipitation 3,0003,000 8,0008,000

Local power Local power predictionprediction

Better water and Better water and drought drought management crop management crop planningplanning

Soil MoistureSoil Moisture 4040 1,0001,000

Better Better water/drought water/drought mgmt./crop mgmt./crop planning/spring planning/spring flood outlook flood outlook improvementimprovement

SnowfallSnowfall 1,5001,500 6,000 6,000 (daily) (daily)

Better Better water/drought water/drought mgmt./crop mgmt./crop planning/spring planning/spring flood outlook flood outlook improvementimprovement

Outcomes: Economic BenefitsOutcomes: Economic BenefitsAgriculture/Water ManagementAgriculture/Water Management Better Data for Local Decision Making (Water/Drought Management/Crop Better Data for Local Decision Making (Water/Drought Management/Crop

Planning)Planning)

Power IndustryPower Industry Improve Energy Load Forecasting for Improved Pricing Efficiency Improve Energy Load Forecasting for Improved Pricing Efficiency

Potential Consumer Savings of $30M/day per Degree Improvement (Energy Potential Consumer Savings of $30M/day per Degree Improvement (Energy IndustryIndustry))

Weather Risk IndustryWeather Risk Industry Improve Market Efficiency of Climate/Weather Related Insurance Contracts Improve Market Efficiency of Climate/Weather Related Insurance Contracts

(Weather Risk Management Association)(Weather Risk Management Association)

Federal GovernmentFederal Government Support County-Level Presidential/USDA Disaster Declarations for Drought, Support County-Level Presidential/USDA Disaster Declarations for Drought,

Snowstorms, Floods, etc. (FEMA)Snowstorms, Floods, etc. (FEMA)

Secretarial/Departmental Secretarial/Departmental InitiativesInitiatives

Provides for the enhancement of the national economy.Provides for the enhancement of the national economy.

Support the decision-making necessary for Presidential Support the decision-making necessary for Presidential Disaster Declarations.Disaster Declarations.

Improved data resolution:Improved data resolution:

- Supports local drought and flood mitigation reducing the Supports local drought and flood mitigation reducing the annual cost to the nation.annual cost to the nation.

- Support more efficient power generation.Support more efficient power generation.

- Provides for timely assessments to climate variability and Provides for timely assessments to climate variability and change.change.

- Enhances the NWS mission of protection of life and property.Enhances the NWS mission of protection of life and property.

ScheduleSchedule• FY 2001: Completed COOP network spacing plan

• FY 2002: Upgraded 105 COOP sites for the New England TAQ Demonstration Project.

• FY 2003: Establish a second demonstration network in the Southeast United States (upgrade 200 COOP

locations)

• FY 2004: Begin full Coop modernization(upgrade 1200 COOP locations)

• FY 2010: Complete acquisition phase

• FY 2011: Complete implementation

• FY 2012: Steady-state network operation