by When a hurricane or a tornado forms, your local weather forecasts can quickly pull on cards and show where he is going. But have you ever asked yourself where you get all this information?
The forecasts can appear effortlessly, but behind the scenes there is a huge network of satellites, aircraft, radar, computer models and weather analysts access to the latest data – and if necessary warnings. This data comes from analysts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, known as Noaa, and its National Weather Service.
The atmospheric scientists Christine Wiedinmyer and Kari Bowen, a former forecast button for the national weather service, explained the central role of NOAA in most US weather forecasts.
When people see a weather report on TV, what is in front of them in the NOAA to make this forecast possible?
Many of the weather information that Americans rely on begins with real-time data collected by NOAA satellites, airplanes, weather balloons, radar and maritime boars as well as weather stations around the world.
All this information goes into the agency’s computer and process the data to define what is going on in different parts of the atmosphere.
Noaa forecasts use computer models that simulate physics and behavior of the atmosphere as well as its own experience and local knowledge in order to paint a picture of the weather – which comes in a few minutes or hours or days. You also use this data to projection seasonal conditions over weeks or months.
When storms are on the way, the agency spends the official warnings that you will see in the news and on your phone.
All of these analyzes take place before the information reaches private weather apps and television channels.
No matter who you are, you can access this data and analyzes freely. In fact, a large number of private companies use NOAA data to create unusual cards and other weather products that they sell.
Without Noaa it would be extremely difficult to do all of this.
The agency operates a fleet of 18 satellites that are packed with instruments that are essential to observe weather phenomena for the prediction of the weather, from the heat of the land surface to the water content of the atmosphere. Some are geostationary satellites that are highly over different parts of the USA that measure the weather conditions around the clock. Others circle the planet. Many of them are operated as part of partnerships with NASA or the Air Force.
Some private companies invest in satellites, but it would need an enormous amount of money to replicate the selection of instruments and covers that NOAA has. The satellites only last so long and need time to build up so that Noaa is constantly planning for the future and uses its technical know -how to develop new instruments and computer algorithms to interpret data.
Maritime buoys are another measuring system that is difficult to replicate. Over 1,300 buoys over oceans around the world measure water temperature, wind and wave height all for coastal warnings and long-term forecasts of essential importance.
The weather observation has been around for a long time. President Ulysses S. Grant created the first national weather service in the Ministry of War in 1870. It became a civilian service under the Ministry of Agriculture in 1880 and is now in the trade department. The information that their scientists and technologists produce is of essential importance for the security and also benefit people and industries in many ways.
Could a private company make forecasts without a NOAA data?
It would be difficult for a company to reliably provide comprehensive weather data in a reliable manner, which is also accessible to the entire public.
Some companies could be able to start their own satellites, but a satellite only gives them part of the picture. The NOAA weather observation network has been around for a long time and collects data from points in the USA and the oceans. Without this robust data, computer models and the wide network of forecasters and developers, the forecast becomes less reliable.
The analysis of this data is also complex. You will not record satellite data, run a model on a standard laptop and suddenly have a forecast.
And there is a question of whether a private company wants to take the legal risk of being responsible for the country’s forecasts and severe weather warnings.
Noaa is financed by the taxpayer, so it is a public well-being-sein services offer security for everyone, not just for those who can pay for it.
If weather data were only available at a price, a city may afford the weather information that is necessary to protect its residents, while a smaller city or a rural area in the whole state may not do so. If you are in a area of tornado or a coastal zone, this information can be the difference between life or death.
Are climate data and research on the changing climate important for forecasts?
The earth systems – its land, water and the atmosphere – change and we have to be able to assess how these changes will have an impact tomorrow, in two weeks and far into the future.
Rising global temperatures affect the weather patterns. Dryness can fill up forest fires. Forecasts must take into account the changing climate as correct, no matter who creates the forecast.
Dürre is an example. The drought of the earth controls how much water is replaced with the atmosphere in order to form clouds and precipitation. In order to have an exact weather forecast, we need to know how dry things are on the surface and how it has changed over time. This requires long -term climate information.
Noaa doesn’t do all of this alone – who else is involved?
Noaa works with the private sector, science, non -profit organizations and many others around the world to ensure that everyone has the best information to create the most robust weather forecasts. Private weather companies and media also play an important role in the mediation of these predictions and the notification of the public.
Many companies rely on the accuracy of the weather data and forecasts from NOAA: aviation, energy companies, insurance, even modern saddle devices of the tractors. The agency’s long -term forecasts are essential for the administration of the state reservoirs to ensure that enough water is saved and to avoid flooding.
The government agency can be held accountable in a way how private companies are not due to the fact that it responds to the congress. The data are therefore trustworthy, accessible and develops with the aim of protecting public security and property for everyone. Could the same thing be said if only non -profit companies would generate this data?
This article will be released from the conversation, a non -profit, independent news organization that brings you facts and trustworthy analyzes to help you understand our complex world. It was written by: Christine Wiedinmyer, Boulder of the University of Colorado and Kari Bowen, Boulder of the University of Colorado
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Christine Wiedinmyer is the Associate Director for Science. Cires is a CU Boulder Research Institute that has a cooperative agreement (Grant) with Noaa, which is called Cooperative Institute for Earth Systems Research and Data Science, CiesRDS. Wiedinmyer’s financing comes mainly from Noaa, which supports more than 400 Cire Cu Boulder employees.
Kari Bowen is the science and administrative manager. Cires is a Cu Boulder Research Institute with a cooperative agreement (Grant) with the Noaa, the Cooperative Institute for Earth Systems Research and Data Science, CiesRDS. The financing of Bowen comes from the NOAA, which supports more than 400 Cire Cu Boulder employees.
