Panel discussion, July 1, 7:00pm: "The NWS - in 2015 and Beyond"

In recent weeks, a bill was introduced in a subcommittee of Congress ("The National Weather Service Improvement Act" - click to read) that would consolidate the forecasting operations for the United States from the current model of 122 "local" forecast offices to 6 "regional hubs."

Within the meteorological community (and not just at the NWS level), the outcry was immediate, including the NWS Employee's Organization, the broadcast community, and many others. Also outside the weather world, such as the emergency management spectrum (specifically the International Association of Emergency Managers), the pushback was also loud and clear. The chief complaints were that removing the forecasters from their local areas of responsibility would reduce forecast accuracy due to knowledge about local effects within an area being dispersed; that the local "touch" would be lost in areas such as collaboration with emergency management and response, local education outreach, and general relationship-building that takes place at the local level; and of course, the expected residual impact of the loss of hundreds or perhaps thousands of good meteorology jobs currently filled by experienced forecasters.

On the supporter's side, consolidation meant more collaboration between forecasters that are currently subdivided into their smaller areas of responsibility and more efficient (and thus lower cost) operations.

In fact, the response was strong enough that within just a few days the bill was stated to be amended to remove the consolidation in favor of a mandate that the NWS assess its severe weather watch and warning system to ensure that the public responds effectively to severe weather threats. Within five years of bill passage, the NWS, after careful evaluation and survey of users, would be required to have a new system of alerting the public in place.

On Wednesday night, July 1, at 7:00pm, MemphisWeather.net will host a panel discussion via Google Hangout on the implications of the recent Congressional action, the role and responsibilities of the NWS today, what they should look like in the future to most capably serve the public, and how the broadcast and private sectors can best partner with the NWS to assist in fulfilling their mission to protect life and property. Included in the discussion will be a conversation around the current watch/warning system and what changes might be proposed that would raise the level of awareness, and response, by the public to severe weather (convective, winter, tropical, and so on).

Panelists are being finalized but are expected to include NWS-Norman (OKC) Warning Coordination Meteorologist Rick Smith, WREG-TV broadcast meteorologist Austen Onek, Mississippi State University Meteorology graduate student and future NWS meteorologist William Churchill (representing the future of the NWS), and weather enthusiast and frequent MWN Hangout guest John Maddox (representing the general public voice). MWN meteorologist Erik Proseus will host the discussion.

We hope you will join us on Wednesday night for a great discussion on "The National Weather Service - In 2015 and Beyond."  There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions as well, including on the MWN Hangout page linked below, as well as on the Google+ event page . Watch our social media channels for details on how you can participate!

This event will be broadcast on the MWN Hangout page or can be viewed below on Wednesday night:




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Join us for a "Severe Weather Roundtable" Google+ video Hangout #wxchat

Secondary severe weather season is quickly approaching and, in fact, the southeast U.S. (where secondary season is centered) has just experienced a regional severe weather event. It is a good time to bring severe weather preparedness and education back into the forefront.

To that end, on Thursday night, October 16, at 9pm MemphisWeather.net will host a "Severe Weather Roundtable" discussion via live video-based Google+ Hangout. Joining MWN meteorologist Erik Proseus and other members of the MWN team on the panel will be local weather enthusiast and veteran of MWN hangouts, John Maddox, and special guest Rick Smith. Rick is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Norman (Oklahoma City), OK and has roots in the Mid-South. He knows Mid-South weather.

For one hour, panelists will discuss topics related to severe weather policy, procedure, and practice, answering some of your questions, such as:

• "Why does a watch extend for so many hours when the severe weather will be occurring very soon?"
• "Why do warnings not cover entire counties, and if they don't, why do I still hear sirens across my entire county?"
• "I hear that the traditional Slight, Moderate, and High risk outlooks are changing. What does that mean, how does it affect me, and how will I know how bad the weather is going to be?"
• "I always hear people say to have multiple ways of receiving warnings. What are the best ways to ensure that my family remains safe?"
• And finally, "Why do some schools dismiss early on severe weather days and is that really a good idea?"

You will be able to watch the broadcast live, and ask your questions online, via our MWN Hangout page and our Google+ page. In addition, we'll be live-tweeting using the #wxchat hashtag on Twitter. You may also ask your questions via Twitter using the #wxchat tag. If you can't watch the broadcast live, a recording will be available on YouTube via the links above after the broadcast ends.

This discussion promises to be educational, informative, and perhaps even a bit controversial. We hope you'll be able to join us Thursday night at 9pm!

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Follow MWN on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+
Visit MemphisWeather.net on the web or m.memphisweather.net on your mobile phone.
Download our iPhone or Android apps, featuring StormWatch+ severe weather alerts!

Google+ Hangout discussion of this week's weather with MWN

Tonight at 8:30pm, we'll have our first EVER Google+ Hangout video discussion of this week's weather, including the possibility of severe weather on Tuesday night. You can access our Google+ page here to drop in and listen.  A Google+ profile is required, but is easy to do if you have a GMail account.  We'll also post the video in this blog afterwards for those not able to attend.  No promises on how it will go (it's a first!) but join us won't you?

Here's the replay of the video. Start at 3 minutes in if there is nothing going on at the beginning!



How do you like the format/content? We can improve in lots of areas, but interested in what you think! Leave a comment below.

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Follow MWN on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+
Visit MemphisWeather.net on the web or m.memphisweather.net on your mobile phone.
Download our iPhone or Android apps, featuring a fresh new interface and StormWatch+ severe weather alerts!