Be a Part of Building a Weather-Ready Nation Christopher Strager U.S. National Weather Service WWOSC –Montreal, Canada August 19, 2014

Be a Part of Building a Be a Part of Building a Weather-Ready Nation Weather-Ready Nation Christopher StragerChristopher StragerU.S. National Weather ServiceU.S. National Weather ServiceWWOSC –Montreal, CanadaWWOSC –Montreal, CanadaAugust 19, 2014 August 19, 2014

National Weather Service

6 Atlantic Basin Hurricanes

6 Atlantic Basin Hurricanes

1,300 Tornadoes1,300 Tornadoes 5,000 Floods5,000 Floods26,000 Severe Thunderstorms26,000 Severe Thunderstorms

650 Deaths$15B in Losses

650 Deaths$15B in Losses

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Regardless of the cause, the trend shows an increasing

number of extreme weather events at increasing cost to

the nation.

(Image source: Munich Re, 2014)

Case for ChangeCase for Change““Average” Year and Trends in the U.S.Average” Year and Trends in the U.S.

Case for ChangeCase for Change““Average” Year and Trends in the U.S.Average” Year and Trends in the U.S.

National Weather Service 3

Case for ChangeCase for ChangeIn the past few years magnitude of disastersIn the past few years magnitude of disasters

reflects increased societal vulnerabilityreflects increased societal vulnerability

Case for ChangeCase for ChangeIn the past few years magnitude of disastersIn the past few years magnitude of disasters

reflects increased societal vulnerabilityreflects increased societal vulnerability

NOAA’s National Coastal Population Report (2013)


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Case for ChangeCase for ChangeExtreme events well forecast…but societal impacts?Extreme events well forecast…but societal impacts?

Case for ChangeCase for ChangeExtreme events well forecast…but societal impacts?Extreme events well forecast…but societal impacts?


Becoming a Becoming a Weather-Ready Weather-Ready Nation is about Nation is about building community building community resilience in the face resilience in the face of increasing of increasing vulnerability to vulnerability to extreme weather.extreme weather.

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NOAANOAA is developing new decision support is developing new decision support services, improving technology to track and services, improving technology to track and forecast storms, and expanding its forecast storms, and expanding its dissemination efforts to achieve far-reaching dissemination efforts to achieve far-reaching national preparedness for weather events.national preparedness for weather events.

Decreasing Vulnerability by Increasing ResilienceDecreasing Vulnerability by Increasing Resilience

NWS Strategic Outcome: NWS Strategic Outcome: A Weather-Ready NationA Weather-Ready NationNWS Strategic Outcome: NWS Strategic Outcome: A Weather-Ready NationA Weather-Ready Nation


Theme: “Empowering our people to lead the Weather-Ready Nation culture change”

Field Offices taking back to their offices…

Importance of consistency in products/servicesValue of social science integrationBetter understanding of IDSS public-private sector roles at local levelOutreach to stakeholder organizations

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NWS Conference: June 2014NWS Conference: June 2014NWS Conference: June 2014NWS Conference: June 2014


Moves the WRN Roadmap 2.0 into action by setting a 5-year course under the proposed NWS reorganization

Initial priority areas:Improve service delivery to EM community by establishing consistent DSS training path for allEstablish Regional Operation CentersModernize Watch/Warning paradigm with latest technologies and social science Improve model guidance and consistency

WRN Roadmap Implementation PlanWRN Roadmap Implementation PlanTaking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next Level

WRN Roadmap Implementation PlanWRN Roadmap Implementation PlanTaking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next Level


Impact-based Decision Support ServicesCommunications/Outreach Science & Technology AdvancesInformation Delivery

Innovative Partnerships

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Inte

rnal

Inte

rnal

External to NOAAExternal to NOAA

Weather-Ready NationWeather-Ready NationFive Major Focus AreasFive Major Focus Areas

Weather-Ready NationWeather-Ready NationFive Major Focus AreasFive Major Focus Areas


Recent Successes:Impact-based Warning Demonstration (2012-current)

Experimental in Central RegionNational Scout Jamboree (July 2013)Pilot Projects (4 WFOs, 2 Operations Centers)

Emergency Response SpecialistsBuilding relationships

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Taking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next LevelImpact-based Decision Support ServicesImpact-based Decision Support ServicesTaking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next Level

Impact-based Decision Support ServicesImpact-based Decision Support Services


Consistent action-oriented messagingTarget underserved populationsHighlight value of Weather EnterpriseParticipating in America’s PrepareAthon

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Taking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next LevelCommunications & OutreachCommunications & Outreach

Taking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next LevelCommunications & OutreachCommunications & Outreach


Taking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next LevelS&T Advances…including Social ScienceS&T Advances…including Social ScienceTaking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next Level

S&T Advances…including Social ScienceS&T Advances…including Social Science


Deliver through multiple channels… Social Media Wireless Emergency Alerts interactiveNWS (iNWS)

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Taking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next LevelInformation DeliveryInformation Delivery

Taking NWS to the Next LevelTaking NWS to the Next LevelInformation DeliveryInformation Delivery


We need partners’ help in transforming society to become ready, responsive and resilient to increasing extreme weather threats.

NOAA will continue to improve outreach, IDSS, S&T, and dissemination methods.

Building a Weather-Ready Nation requires the entire Weather Enterprise to work together to deliver information for better community, business, and personal decision making.

Strengthening PartnershipsStrengthening PartnershipsStrengthening PartnershipsStrengthening Partnerships

▪ ▪ SOCIETAL RESPONSE EQUAL TO RISK ▪ SOCIETAL RESPONSE EQUAL TO RISK ▪


Who can be a part of and contribute toward building a Weather-Ready Nation?

All levels of governmentWeather, Water, Climate EnterpriseAcademiaBusinesses & non-profits

Formal recognition of organizations that work with NOAA toward building a Weather-Ready Nation

Promote WRN messages and themesEngage with NOAA on potential collaborationsShare success storiesServe as an “Example”

Strengthening PartnershipsStrengthening PartnershipsWRN Ambassador InitiativeWRN Ambassador Initiative


Visit: www.weather.gov or www.noaa.gov/wrn


Early SuccessesOutreach during preparedness weeksPress releases and media interviewsCommunity eventsCongressional testimonyData access/formatting inquiriesExpansion of stakeholder engagement to non-traditional sectors

InsuranceHealthReal-EstateMuseums/Science Centers




Weather-Ready Nation InitiativeWeather-Ready Nation Initiative DoesnDoesn’’t Stop at Border…International Engagementt Stop at Border…International Engagement

Weather-Ready Nation InitiativeWeather-Ready Nation Initiative DoesnDoesn’’t Stop at Border…International Engagementt Stop at Border…International Engagement

Same challenges exist in other countriesGlobal vulnerability increasingQuantifying societal relevanceCommunicating the science

We can learn from one anotherOpen dialogueSharing best practicesStrength in numbers

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[email protected]@[email protected]@noaa.govwww.weather.govwww.weather.gov

www.noaa.gov/wrnwww.noaa.gov/wrnwww.weather.govwww.weather.gov

www.noaa.gov/wrnwww.noaa.gov/wrn17

Documents

Be a Part of Building a Weather-Ready Nation Christopher Strager U.S. National Weather Service WWOSC –Montreal, Canada August 19, 2014