Message From:
Edward Johnson
Director, NWS Strategic Planning and Policy Office
David Caldwell
Director, NWS Office Of Climate, Water and Weather Services
On 25 September 2008, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued an internal memorandum providing guidance and policy principles regarding NWS support for special events such as sporting events of all types, outdoor festivals, and other kinds of gatherings that attract crowds large and small. When severe weather threatens the vicinity of these events, both participants and spectators are potentially exposed to hazards such as lightning, extreme temperatures, or tornadic activity. These situations pose a special challenge to event coordinators, public safety officials, and weather service providers.
NWS has an uncompromising commitment to public safety and works closely with public safety officials to ensure they understand the information provided in our products relating to hazardous weather. While NWS can provide support to public safety officials for special events, more specialized services are available from America’s Weather Industry (private sector providers of weather services), such as customized consulting services organized and packaged to help make decisions about how to plan and run the event.
The public was given an opportunity to review and comment on these policy principles and, based on this review, we are confident that we are operating in the best interests of our users. We don’t see this as a change in our current level of support, but rather a clarification of the level of support NWS is committed to provide.
You may view the special events guidance memorandum at:
http://www.weather.gov/sp/specialeventsguidance.pdf
If you have any questions, please contact:
Wendy Levine
National Weather Service
Strategic Planning and Policy Office
Phone: 301-713-3380
E-mail: wendy.levine@noaa.gov
Posted by ncimorg 