August 1998 Newsletter

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National Weather Association
Newsletter
No. 98-8                                   August 1998

Table of Contents

President's Message
Mobile Profiler System
Dates to Remember
NWA Training Survey - A Reminder
What's New On-Line
In Memoriam
GOES 10 Replaces GOES 9
NWA Statement of Income and Expenses for 1997
Member News
Meetings of Interest
Job Corner
NWA Publications Available

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

THE FUTURE OF WEATHER FORECASTING IS NOW

The value of Weather Warnings cannot be simply measured by a false alarm rate, or probability of detection. While a forecast organization must compute verification statistics, these scores do not tell the entire story. By their very nature, statistical performance measures consider the world as black and white, and do not allow for the many real-world subtleties that occur. The person in a building destroyed by a 140 mph wind gust does not really care if there was rotation with the wind or not. However, the verification statistics do, and a tornado warning issued for such an event would register as a false alarm.

As sociologists point out, a successful warning program requires more than good verification scores. There are three distinct stages in an individual's warning response: risk identification, risk assessment, and finally risk reduction. While these may be explicit or implicit steps, each requires a decision. A warning program must insure that each decision is made in a timely, prudent manner.

Upon hearing a warning, people try to determine if there is a real threat. They try both to determine its validity and to confirm the warning. Here, the credibility of the source of the warning is important. A high false alarm rate is a negative, but it is far from the only factor. The quality of general weather forecasts also play a significant role. If we cannot forecast if it is going to rain, how can we possibly forecast the location of a flash flood? Many people "channel surf" during a severe thunderstorm event to see if all stations are reporting the same thing. If conflicting messages are received, the warning will likely be ignored. While being the first with a story might appeal to a station manager, it is not necessarily in the public good. Unless the weather forecasting community speaks with a unified voice, people are likely to "shop for the best warning" rather than immediately protecting themselves.

As an almost concurrent step, people assess their personal risk. If there is hazardous weather coming, will it affect them personally? Actions run the gamut from looking out the window to calling family and friends. On 13 April 1998, the members of a church in Alabama were saved when a parishioner called from home to tell them about a tornado warning. The content of the warning is a factor here. Information on the location, timing, and severity of a storm in a warning makes the hazard more real. Personal experience helps determine how one perceives a threat. If past hurricanes have not caused significant damage to my house, why will this one? People must be reminded of the damage that such storms have done to other places. We must emphasize that rivers, hills, cities and the like only protect places in folklore. In the real world, a F-5 tornado does not understand that Burnetts' mound is protecting Topeka. Public education is an essential part of making them realize that they might indeed be in danger.

Once people perceive that there is a personal risk they will try to reduce their risk. Their goal is for the storm to cause the least negative impact upon them. Actions are based on how they perceive the danger. Although safety recommendations have changed, upon receipt of a tornado warning many people disregard on-going rain and open windows as they were told to do 40 years ago. Further, many people will not take evasive action until all members of their family are accounted for. While this problem is faced by emergency managers when trying to implement an evacuation, it also is a factor for short-fused events. This year, there was a widely shown video of a woman in Nashville screaming for her son to come to her as a tornado approached their house. Action statements are essential in warnings — people must know what is the best response for them to take.

All of this leads us to the conclusion that effective warnings require a team effort. National Weather Service forecasters, broadcast meteorologists and emergency managers cannot function effectively without each other. We must work together to publicize storm safety rules. The public must understand what they should do when they hear a warning.

We need to remember that quality weather services start with the day-to-day forecast. We will only command respect from the public in warning situations if they perceive us as competent professionals who provide a useful service/product, and are not simply light entertainment between the news and the sports. Finally, and most importantly, in warning situations we must speak with a unified voice, giving the public one message upon which they should act.

- Joe Schaefer

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MOBILE PROFILER SYSTEM

The Artillery Meteorology Branch of the US Army Research Laboratory, Information Science and Technology Directorate, has been refining their mobile profiler system capable of measuring and analyzing atmospheric profiles in near real time. This system, called the Meteorological Measuring Set-Profiler (MMS-P), integrates measurements from a surface sensor, radiometer, profiler radar, and meteorological satellites into a near real-time atmospheric profile. This local profile, along with other gridded data, feeds a mesoscale forecast model, which provides input for weather-impacted military missions, systems and units.

The specific measurement parameters utilized by the MMS-P consist of the standard polar orbiting satellite sounder profiles; wind radar data analyzed by the Advanced Signal Processing techniques designed in NOAA Laboratories; total water vapor, total water liquid and temperature profiles from the radiometer; and, in-situ surface temperature data. Though the rawinsonde is not intended as a primary instrument, the mobile package also collects and integrates sonde data launched on location.

The final product under development will be housed in a military High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) towing the wind radar trailer (Fig. 1). When this system is completed, the setup and operation will be designed for a two person operation. A demonstration of the integrated sensor prototype is anticipated for Spring 1999.

- Gail Tirrell Vaucher, gvaucher@arl.mil
NWA Remote Sensing Committee Member


Fig. 1. Meteorological Measuring Set - Profiler (Prototype).

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DATES TO REMEMBER

Make reservations by 17 September at The Westin Hotel, Oklahoma City, OK to obtain discount room rates for the NWA Annual Meeting 17-23 October 1998. See page 7.

Please also see Meetings of Interest on page 6.

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NWA TRAINING SURVEY - A REMINDER

As announced earlier, the NWA Training Committee is asking all members (particularly training coordinators) to complete the brief on-line Training Survey, located on the NWA Home Page (www.nwas.org). The committee reports a very good response so far. If you have not yet completed the survey, please don't wait any longer! The deadline for entries is approaching fast. Take this opportunity to give your input and help chart the course for future NWA training and workshops. If you do not have Internet capability and would like a copy of the survey sent to you, please write or call the NWA office at 6704 Wolke Court, Montgomery, AL 36116; (334) 213-0388.

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WHAT'S NEW ON-LINE

The National Hurricane Center and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are using the Internet to more quickly provide hurricane information to the public. The Internet address for the Federal Emergency Management Agency is http://www.fema.gov. Hurricane information is available at its sub-site for the Hurricane Liaison Team - http://www.fema.gov/hlt

Survival Skills For Graduate Students includes very useful information for those preparing presentations for the NWA Annual Meeting - and more. View it at website: http://www.physiology.uwo.ca/SurvivalWeb/index.htm.

Session 1: Effective Oral Presentations.
Session 2: How to get the most out of a scientific meeting (Including presenting posters).
Session 3: Preparing and writing a manuscript (and thesis).
Session 4: Life-long learning skills (including: ethics, how to teach yourself some of the skills you will require throughout career and habits to get into).
Session 5: Grantspersonship (for a scholarship and an operating grant).
Session 6: Getting the next job (selecting supervisors; Ph.D. and postdoctoral career paths; negotiating for a position).

NOAA's NESDIS/National Climatic Data Center provides a one-stop climate change, extremes, and events website. The recent surge in news media, government, and individual interest in these topics has lead to numerous inquiries for data and information. To help users, NCDC designed a single web page regarding these topics. Within this system, users will find a wealth of data, maps, images (e.g., satellite, radar), and reports for each topic, such as El Niño, La Niña, 1993-1998 Weather Events, U.S. Tornadoes, and Historical Global Extremes. View it at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/severeweather/severeweather.php You'll also find this web page "in the spotlight" on NCDC's main home page at http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov.

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IN MEMORIAM

LARRY RICHARD JOHNSON (1944-1998), a founding member of the NWA and its 20th President, died in Herndon, Virginia, on 30 July 1998 of cancer. He was born in Klemme, Iowa, on 6 May 1944. His contributions to operational meteorology spanned over thirty years in careers with the U. S. Air Force and Litton PRC Inc. Larry served 23 years in the USAF Air Weather Service. His accomplishments included rawinsonde observer, Tinker AFB OK; Command Briefer, Udorn AB and Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand; Plans and Manpower Staff Officer, HQ AF Systems Command, Andrews AFB, MD; Chief, Computer Graphics Section and Mission Applications Branch, Assistant Operations Officer, and Special Projects Forecaster, Air Force Global Weather Central, Offutt AFB, NE; Chief, HQ USAF Weather Assignments Office, HQ AF Military Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, TX; and Director, Weather Systems Acquisition, HQ Air Weather Service, Scott AFB, IL.

His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Training Ribbon. Larry retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 1 August 1988.

Larry worked for 10 years at Litton PRC Inc. He served in a variety of positions on the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) program, the integrating element of the $4.5 billion NWS Modernization Program. He served during the Definition, Development, and Deployment phases as Principal Applications Scientist, Department Manager, Executive Manager, and Deputy Program Manager. Known at PRC as "Mr. AWIPS", Larry's tenure on the program was longer than any other person, and his contributions to the success of AWIPS stand out among all others. He also was a leader in supporting professional associations and his superb efforts were key to PRC's early and continued support in sponsoring NWA Annual Meeting activities and sponsoring an AMS Scholarship and Fellowship program.

Larry earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in meteorology in 1969 and 1979, respectively, from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He also graduated from professional military schools — in 1983 from Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL; in 1986 from Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL; and in 1987 from National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Leslie McNair, Washington DC.

Larry was a founding member of the National Weather Association. He served on the Organizational Start-up Steering Committee, Nominating Committee, Program and Arrangements Committee, Membership Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee. He was elected Councilor for the period 1978-80, Vice-President for 1982 and President for 1995.

He authored papers published in Advanced Imaging Magazine, NWA Newsletter, National Weather Digest, and numerous AMS conference preprints. He also wrote many news articles regarding operational meteorology for organizational journals and newsletters, city newspapers and magazines.

Larry loved Civil War history and was actively involved in reenactments of Civil War battles of the Eastern Theatre. Most recently, he participated in the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg on 3-4 July 1998. He wrote many articles published in various Civil War periodicals.

Larry was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on 11 August 1998. He is survived by his wife Laurel of Herndon, Virginia; his mother Minnie of Prescott, Arizona; his children Julie of McComb, Iowa, and Heather of Herndon, Virginia; his brother Roger of Prescott, Arizona; and his grandson Nicholas.

- Terry Tarbell

JOSEPH G. GALWAY (1922-1998), a charter member of the NWA and long-time severe storms meteorologist, died June 29th, 1998 in Kansas City, Missouri. He not only made history with his pioneering work in severe weather forecasting - he also recorded historical information and contributed greatly to the written record of severe weather forecasting.

Born in Cambridge, MA, Joe Galway developed a youthful interest in weather observing and record keeping. New England snows were an obvious impetus along with a 1938 hurricane that toppled trees at the Galway home. He joined the Army Air Force following his third year of study at Boston College. The Army wisely assigned Joe to a pre-meteorology program at Brown University followed by a nine-month course at MIT. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Force in June 1944 just as Allied forces were marshaling for the D-Day invasion.

Joe's New England weather training was not put to immediate use. The Army instead assigned him to control tower duty in the Pacific. After the war he returned to college and completed degree work in business school. He finally returned to weather in 1949 with further study at MIT and joined the U.S. Weather Bureau in early 1951 at Jacksonville, Florida.

A year later, 1952, he was selected to become one of the five charter members of the Weather Bureau's new severe local storms forecast unit in Washington DC - the SELS unit. The unit moved to Kansas City in 1954 where Galway worked until his retirement.

In those early years of SELS work many forecast techniques and tools were developed within the unit and the forecasters were encouraged to perform such studies along with their operational work. Galway made a lasting contribution with his recognition and description of the LIFTED INDEX as a useful analysis tool. Joe also did early and important work on jet stream analysis and the relationship of tornadoes to tropical storms.

His interest in the historic aspects of severe weather occurrences and forecasting resulted in several papers on little known and mostly forgotten tornado outbreaks and of an early severe weather researcher, J. P. Finley of the U. S. Army Signal Corps. Joe's 1985 article on Finley in the Bulletin of the AMS is noteworthy not only for Joe's meticulous research but also for his concise and always wry and witty writing style.

Most who've spent time in operational meteorology from the fifties to the eighties recognize the Galway name from countless Watches and Outlooks. Dozens of forecasters in the present day National Weather Service worked with Joe across the big sloping SELS desk and recall his quick Bostonian wit, his sense of history and his love of severe weather forecasting.

Joe retired from the NOAA/NWS National Severe Storms Forecast Center (NSSFC) in 1984 after 38 years of dedicated public service. Even after retirement he continued his work on a history of the Center with co-author Jane Parvin, NSSFC Secretary. His body of work clearly illustrates that Joe Galway not only wrote of severe weather forecasting but he also was an important part of the history of the SELS unit and severe weather forecasting.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret B. Galway, in 1992. Survivors include two sons, Joseph G. Galway, Thornton, OR; Robert M. Galway, Kansas City, MO; three daughters, Kathleen Friend, Anniston, AL; Maureen Rowe, Liberty, MO; Sue Carter, Kansas City, MO; brother, John H. Galway, Fort Collins, CO; and six grandchildren. Funeral services were held July 3, 1998, at the St. Therese Catholic Church.

- Richard Williams

THOMAS H. WILSON (1944-1998), a weekend broadcast meteorologist at WPTV Channel 5 in West Palm Beach, Florida, who battled cancer and shared his experiences with viewers, died Tuesday, 5 May 1998 at Hospice of Palm Beach. He was 53. Tom, who also was an airline pilot, worked weekend mornings at the NBC affiliate. He was diagnosed with cancer of the thymus gland in 1995.

Tom Wilson was born in Indiana on 11 November 1944, graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, in 1966, joined the U.S. Army and picked up a lifelong love of flying. He joined Eastern Airlines in 1974 and eventually became a captain and flight instructor. He later joined Pan American World Airways as a manager of training program development.

A Channel 5 spokesman said Tom spent so much time "up there" that understanding the weather came second nature. In 1988, the station hired him as a weathercaster. "He was a joy to work with," said anchor Tom Dunn, who worked with him for 10 years. "He was a hard-working guy too. On some days, he would do the morning weather, then the weather at 6 and 11 p.m., then drive down to Miami where he was a flight trainer, then come back up to West Palm Beach the next day."

To increase his knowledge of meteorology, Tom enrolled in the Mississippi State University broadcast meteorology program through correspondence. He also earned the NWA Seal of Approval for TV Weathercasting.

After cancer struck, Tom Wilson never gave up. He would openly discuss his condition on-air wanting to help others going through similar challenges.

"While Tom lost his valiant struggle, he gave to each of us the precious gifts of faith, courage and professionalism," said WPTV General Manager Bill Brooks.

- Sources: station personnel and 6 May 1998, Vero Beach Press Journal article by Bob Betcher

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NWA Newsletter (ISSN 0271-1044)
Co-Editors: Larry Burch and Eli Jacks
Publisher: Kevin Lavin, Executive Director
Published monthly by the National Weather Association,
6704 Wolke Court, Montgomery, Alabama 36116-2134.
Tel/FAX: (334) 213-0388
E-mail: NatWeaAsoc@aol.com
Home page: http://www.nwas.org
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Submit newsletter items directly to: Editor NWA Newsletter, Eli Jacks, NOAA/NWS W/OM21, 1325 East West Hwy Room 13125, Silver Spring MD 20910; e-mail: Elliott.Jacks@noaa.gov or to: Larry Burch, NOAA/NWSFO, 2242 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City UT 84116; e-mail: Larry.Burch@noaa.gov. Material received by the 5th will be considered for that month's issue.

Members receive the monthly NWA Newsletter and quarterly National Weather Digest as part of their regular, student or corporate membership privileges. Contact the NWA for membership information. Newsletter subscriptions are available at $18.00 per year plus extra shipping costs outside USA. Single copies are $1.50.

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GOES 10 REPLACES GOES 9

GOES 10 became the operational GOES-WEST satellite on 27 July 1998 after GOES 9 began failing. GOES 10 will complete its move from 105 W to 135 W on 21 August. GOES-9 is moving from 135 W to arrive at 105 W on 17 August. It will be stored in dormant mode and remains a short-term backup until the GOES-L launch scheduled for May 1999.

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NWA STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSES FOR 1997

INCOME FOR 1997

Membership Dues $ 60,839.00
Donations: Sol Hirsch NWA Education Fund 2,177.00
Donations: General Fund Donations3,983.00
Subscriptions4,261.00
Publication Fees7,513.11
Reprints551.00
Radio-TV Certification14,900.00
Publication Sales6,177.50
Advertising Sales890.00
Annual Meeting26,996.00
Postage Reimbursement142.00
Interest5,575.71
Dividends624.98
NWA logo items603.00
Miscellaneous538.73
Total Income$135,772.03

EXPENSES FOR 1997

Digest Printing$8,688.00
Newsletter Printing5,003.81
Other Printing1,542.24
Digest layout9,928.79
Personnel Salaries20,400.00
Management Fees423.68
Temporary help fees8,209.50
Postage and Shipping15,499.29
Mailer Fees1,458.19
Annual Meeting2,612.24
Communications1,718.47
Taxes and Soc. Sec/Medicare2,946.75
Equipment and Maintenance787.37
Office Supplies1,267.54
Awards552.40
Education Fund Grants1,500.00
Travel1,812.53
Radio-TV Seal Certificates1,089.70
Refunds935.00
Storage (publication 1-88)168.06
NWA logo items1,040.32
Miscellaneous889.66
Total Expenses88,473.54

INCOME OVER EXPENSES$47,298.49

This was the report submitted to the IRS and approved by the NWA Council to submit to the membership in accordance with the NWA Bylaws. Income over expenses was far greater than usual because most invoices for 1997 annual meeting expenses did not arrive until 1998. Net assets at the end of 1997 were $179,679.71. Reserve funds are growing as planned to be able to fund office space and a larger paid staff in the future as well as to fund more initiatives.

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MEMBER NEWS

Kent Ehrhardt moved to KMOV-TV in Saint Louis, Missouri in June after serving at WPTV5 in West Palm Beach, Florida for 13 years. Kent is on his second elected term as a NWA Councilor, was Broadcast Meteorology Committee Chairperson (92-94) and Member of the Year for 1993. He has earned the NWA and AMS Seals of Approval for TV Weathercasting.

Elbert W. "Joe" Friday, Jr. retired on 30 June 1998 from his position as NOAA's Director of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research after 38 years in the Federal Service. He had been offered a position as Director, Board of Atmospheric Science and Climate at the National Academy of Science (NAS), and accepted it. This charter member of the NWA told colleagues that he enjoyed every job he had in the US Air Force and NOAA, but had among his long-term goals a position in the NAS and these do not come along very often.

Thomas D. Potter retired on 3 July 1998 in Salt Lake City from NOAA's National Weather Service. He was the Director of the NWS Western Region since 1989. Dr. Potter began his meteorology career serving in the US Air Force's Air Weather Service from 1951-1974, retiring as a Colonel and Vice Commander of the Air Weather Service. He then became an Associate Professor, Department of Meteorology, Saint Louis University (74-75). He rejoined federal service in 1975 as Director, NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, NC and then became the Deputy and Director of the NOAA, Environmental Data and Information Services (77-81). He was Director, WMO World Climate Programme (82-87) and Director WMO World Weather Watch (88-89) in Geneva before moving to Salt Lake City. Dr. Potter told his staff "everyone must retire sometime and this seems to be a good time for me... Thanks to everyone in the Western Region for the great job that you have done during the entire 9 years that I've been Director. Knowing you and observing the work that each of you has done has been the best part of my job."

John E. Jones, Jr. became Deputy Assistant Administrator for the NWS, effective 16 August 1998. Prior to assuming responsibility for this position, since 1995, John was Deputy Regional Director of the NWS Eastern Region Headquarters. He also has served as the Deputy Meteorologist-in-Charge of a NWS Forecast Office in Mt Holly, New Jersey. John joined the NWS in 1973 in a program that would eventually become the Graduate Scientist Program. Dr. Baker, NOAA Administrator, said, "Having worked at all levels in the NWS, from local weather office to regional headquarters, John will bring to his new assignment in-depth knowledge and expertise of operational meteorology, user needs and the challenges of weather service modernization." John is a charter NWA member and was an elected Councilor (92-93).

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MEETINGS OF INTEREST

  • Second Annual Great Divide Weather Workshop will be held in Great Falls, Montana, 22-24 September 1998. The emphasis of the workshop will be wide-ranging, but concentrating on the weather and forecasting problems of the Northern Rockies and High Plains (stretching from eastern Washington/Oregon to the western Dakotas and from Canada to Wyoming). A banquet is also planned for the first evening (about $15 per person). A $5 registration fee will be charged to cover workshop supplies. Deadline for abstracts was 1 July. For more information contact the Program Chairperson, Keith Meier (Science and Operations Officer - NWSO Billings) keith.meier@noaa.gov, (406) 652-0851, or Ken Mielke (Meteorologist In Charge - NWSFO Great Falls), the Logistics Chairperson. A block of rooms (ask for NWS Workshop block) has been reserved at the Heritage Inn. Cost for a single room is $52 (including tax). The Heritage Inn operates an airport shuttle (courtesy phone in the baggage claim area), has two pools, saunas, hot tubs, restaurant, an exercise room, and will also host the banquet. Heritage Inn, 1700 Fox Farm Road, Great Falls, MT 59404; (800) 548-8256 or (406) 761-1900.
  • Department of Transportation Symposium on Weather Services Partnership Initiatives. On Monday, 28 September 1998, in Room 120 of the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will host a symposium to continue a dialogue on issues related to the use of weather information to support transportation decision making, safety and efficiency. The symposium which will be attended by numerous government agencies and the private sector has as an objective to plan the implementation of advanced weather services through cooperative partnership programs that involve federal, state, and local governments working with industry and academic institutions.The private weather industry is cordially invited to attend and participate. The points of contact for an agenda and further information are Carol Ann Courtney (Courtney@volpe5.dot.gov); Basav Sen (Sen@Volpe3.dot.gov); and Michael Rosetti (Rossetti@volpe.dot.gov).• Pacific Northwest Weather Workshop will be held at the NOAA Western Regional Center campus at Sand Point in Seattle, Washington on 26-27 February 1999. This annual conference, sponsored by the National Weather Service, the University of Washington, and the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, reviews recent developments in weather forecasting and observational technologies affecting the West Coast, major weather events of the past year, and other topics dealing with the meteorology of the region. A major theme of this year's meeting will be the hydrometeorology of western North America including high resolution atmospheric/hydrological modeling, river and streamflow prediction, and studies of major flooding and heavy precipitation events.

    Abstracts for oral presentations (including title, authors, and a short description of the presentation) should be sent to the organizers by 1 December 1998. Presentations are not limited to the major theme. For further information on registration or presentations, contact Clifford Mass, Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, Box 351640, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 (206-685-0190, cliff@atmos.washington.edu) or Brad Colman/Chris Hill, NWS Forecast Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 (206-526-6095, x224/222, colman@seawfo.noaa.gov, chris.hill@noaa.gov).

Ed. Meetings and other continuing education/training opportunities are also posted on the NWA home page at http://www.nwas.org

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JOB CORNER

(Ed: The NWA lists job openings free from equal opportunity employers for the benefit of members. Submit job openings to the NWA office at anytime. See http://www.nwas.org or call the NWA office at (334) 213-0388 for possible short notice listings.)

WORLD WEATHERWATCH has positions available for experienced forecasters (min. 2 years) and for entry-level operational meteorologists. The company has been providing specialized weather forecasts for both government and industry for the past 20 years. The successful candidates will have a Bachelor Degree in Meteorology from a recognized university. The positions require shift rotation covering 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Detailed resumes including references should be sent to World Weatherwatch, 401 Bentley Street, Unit 4, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 9T2. Fax #: 905-477-9404 E-mail: Resume@Worldwx.com

WORLDWIDE WEATHER TRADING COMPANY, LLC, a newly formed weather/commodity trading firm based in Manhattan, New York, is seeking to fill immediately the position of Senior Meteorologist. This individual will report directly to senior Management and will eventually be responsible for running the Meteorology Department. Responsibilities: Verify historical weather data for individual weather stations, Manage and maintain database, Work closely with software developer, Forecast short and long term weather conditions, Interface with NCDC. Job Requirements: BS Meteorology / Masters Degree preferred, Strong statistical background, Computer proficiency/Programming, Strong interpersonal skills, Self motivated, Ability to manage others, Extremely detail oriented/organized, US resident/New York City resident. Salary and Benefits: 50-60K/yr. + substantial potential bonus, Health insurance and three weeks vacation. Please e-mail resume to: nebs2@msn.com cc: arbit-ws@msn.com cc: adfreeman@msn.com.

STRATEGIC WEATHER SERVICES (SWS) have hired meteorologists who responded to notices on the NWA Home Page and opportunities still exist for more challenging careers in operational meteorology in Palm Springs, California with one of America's oldest weather forecasting companies, with offices in Palm Springs, California; Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; and Omaha, Nebraska. At least five (5) years of practical experience required in Synoptic Meteorology or Weather Forecasting. Computer knowledge required. One of the new positions will emphasize forecasting for European clients and thus experience in that area will be heavily considered. Office hours in Palm Springs are generally 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday with no shift work involved. A great work environment and many company benefits. Please fax resume to (760) 325-9678 or call Bill Young at (760) 325-9677; Bill_Young@StrategicWeather.com

AEROMET, INC. METEOROLOGIST-FORECASTER and COMPUTER SYSTEMS MANAGER. Aeromet, Inc. has two openings at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) test range in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).

  • The METEOROLOGIST-FORECASTER position involves operational weather forecasting and observing. Meteorologists on Kwajalein work in a state-of-the-art forecasting center with full access to McIDAS workstations, a Doppler weather radar, and lightning location equipment. They also run mesoscale and cloud scale numerical weather prediction models for the atoll region on a network of Silicon Graphics workstations residing within the weather station. Candidates must have a BS or MS in meteorology, and should have at least 2 years of forecasting experience. Tropical forecasting experience is preferred but not required. Strong briefing and report writing skills are required. Ability to program in FORTRAN and C is desired. Familiarity with UNIX and SGI computer systems is desired. Salary range $30,000 to $45,000.
  • The COMPUTER SYSTEMS MANAGER position involves the management of all site computer software and hardware systems with emphasis on UNIX (SGI platform) systems and network administration. Candidates must have an advanced degree in Meteorology, Computer Science or related engineering/scientific discipline (e.g., physics, electrical engineering, etc.). Experience in UNIX systems required, with networking systems and SGI specific experience desired. Must have skills in software and hardware, including project coordination and control, systems management, design, development and trouble-shooting. Experience in processing & display of satellite, radar and other data for weather forecasting desired. Familiarity with FORTRAN and C programming languages desired. Salary range $35,000 to $57,000.

Both positions require U.S. or RMI citizenship. Candidates must be willing to work shifts and live harmoniously in a military environment, in a remote location, and without immediate access to special or frequent medical or dental services. Accompanied housing is available for both positions at no cost to the employees. USAKA is a major Department of Defense facility that is home to more than 3,000 employees and dependents. Many USAKA services are free and include a wide range of recreational facilities. The installation is equipped with a hospital, library, stores, theaters, schools and all the amenities available in a small U.S. city. Since working at Kwajalein is considered overseas employment by the IRS, those employed there receive significant tax advantages. Aeromet offers a smoke-free and drug-free environment. More information can be found concerning these positions on Aeromet's web site at http://www.aeromet.com. Send resumes, transcripts, three professional references and salary requirements to: Aeromet, Inc., P.O. Box 701767, Tulsa, OK 74170-1767 or fax to (918) 299-8211. E-mail inquiries may be sent to egibeau@aeromet.com. EOE m/f/v/d.

LYNDON STATE COLLEGE ACADEMIC COMPUTER LAB TECHNICIAN Grade 11; Full-time Administrator Compensation - within the salary range for Grade 11, plus VSC benefits package for Administrators. Responsibilities - Provide technical support for computer labs and classrooms, with primary responsibility for the Meteorology Lab. Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, with a master's degree and meteorology background desirable, plus two to four years experience in a meteorology or computer laboratory. Knowledge of UNIX operating system. Experience or training in electronics for equipment maintenance. Knowledge of meteorological data sources and data vendors. Good analytical skills. Application Deadline - Applications will be accepted until position is filled; early application is encouraged. Application Procedure - Send letter of application, resume, and names & phone numbers of three references to: Personnel Office, Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT 05851. Lyndon State College complies with state and federal laws related to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination.

ACCU WEATHER, INC., offers career opportunities with the world's leading and most diversified commercial weather service. You will have exciting opportunities to handle all types of weather forecasting for major business, media and government organizations. These include on-air broad-casting for radio stations; creative presentation of weather graphics; preparation of television and newspaper forecasts; snow and ice warning services; worldwide forecasting for agriculture; specialized forecasts for the transportation industry, utilities, businesses and resorts; computer applications; and many others. Positions are also available on the computer staff for meteorologists with programming experience. AccuWeather offers competitive salaries and an extensive benefits package including health insurance, 401K and profit sharing plans, life insurance and disability income. Send detailed resume to David H. Dombek, Director of Forecaster Hiring, AccuWeather, Inc., 385 Science Park Road, State College PA 16803; FAX: (814) 231-0621; or e-mail: resume@accuwx.com

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NWA PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Monograph 1-86, "Principles and Methods of Extended Period Forecasting in the U.S.," by Robert P. Harnack. Cost: $8.00 for NWA members; $12.00 for nonmembers.

Monograph 2-86 (Reprinted May 1993), "Satellite Imagery Interpretation for Forecasters," 3 volumes compiled and edited by Peter S. Parke. Cost: $38.00 NWA members; $51.00 for nonmembers.

Publication 1-88, "The Cloud Chart 1, 2, 3" by Mike Mogil and Sol Hirsch consists of three 12"x24" charts containing more than three dozen color photos of clouds/ accompanying text. Cost: $7.50 members; $9.50 nonmembers.

Publication 2-88, "Polar Orbiter Satellite Imagery Interpretation," a script/slide training program, written by Vincent J. Oliver and prepared by NESDIS, contains 76 slides with accompanying text. Cost: $70.00 members; $84.00 for nonmembers.

Publication 1-90, "Winds of the World - As Seen in Weather Satellite Imagery," a script/slide training program, written by Vincent J. Oliver and prepared by NESDIS, contains 79 slides with accompanying text. Cost: $70.00 members; $84.00 nonmembers.

Publication 1-91, "Satellite Imagery Indicators of Turbulence," a script/slide training program, written by Gary Ellrod and prepared by NESDIS, contains 71 slides with text. Cost: $70.00 for members; $84.00 for nonmembers.

Monograph 1-93, 2nd Edition 1997, "A Comprehensive Glossary of Weather Terms for Storm Spotters," by Michael L. Branick, NWSFO, Norman OK. A thorough reference in "layman's terms" for standardization of terms used in storm spotting, forecasting and broadcasting. Cost: $6.00 for members; $9.00 for nonmembers.

Publication 1-95, "Imaging Capabilities of the GOES I-M Satellites," a script/slide training program, written by Gary Ellrod and Jim Nelson of NOAA/NESDIS/SAL. Contains 34 slides with accompanying text. Cost: $33.00 members; $40.00 for nonmembers.

The Severe Local Storm Forecasting Primer by John S. Sturtevant, July 1995. A survey of severe local storm structure, detection and forecasting techniques. Published by Weather Scratch Meteorological Services, Florence AL. 197 pp. Special NWA price: $30.00

These prices include book-rate mailing within the USA. Contact NWA for overseas rates. Enclose a check drawn on a U.S. Bank or an international money order payable in U.S. dollars and send order to:

NWA PUBLICATIONS
6704 WOLKE COURT
MONTGOMERY AL 36116-2134