Weather Forecasting: Unmet Needs and Unknown Costs Warrant Reassessment of Observing System Plans
AIMD-95-81
Published: Apr 21, 1995. Publicly Released: Apr 21, 1995.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Weather Service's (NWS) Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), focusing on: (1) the extent to which NWS has addressed ASOS operational problems; (2) the costs of resolving these operational problems; and (3) whether NWS plans for enhancing ASOS are reasonable.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Commerce | Given the criticality of accurate and timely weather observations, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services to define and prioritize, in conjunction with ASOS users, all system corrections, enhancements, and supplements that must occur to meet valid user needs. |
Closed – Implemented
NOAA agreed with the recommendation and has prioritized proposed system enhancements. NWS reports that a number of technical improvements are planned and have been coordinated with the ASOS user community. NWS has identified the aviation industry as its first priority for ASOS, but reports that it is also addressing needs of the climate community.
|
| Department of Commerce | Given the criticality of accurate and timely weather observations, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services to reestimate ASOS costs in light of planned system corrections, enhancements, and supplements. |
Closed – Not Implemented
NWS did not concur with this recommendation, and has no plans to comply.
|
| Department of Commerce | Given the criticality of accurate and timely weather observations, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services to formulate, in conjunction with ASOS users, explicit system performance and cost/benefit criteria governing the release of human observers. |
Closed – Implemented
Although NWS partially concurred with this recommendation, it did not take all of the necessary steps to implement it. NWS did not establish either system performance criteria or cost-benefit criteria with all ASOS users. Specifically, NWS established aviation users' performance criteria, but did not establish meteorologists' or climatologists' performance criteria. Additionally, it did not establish cost-benefit criteria with any user group. NWS stated that it is still governed by Public Law 102-567, which requires "no degradation of services." Consequently, NWS will base the release of human observers on meeting aviation industry requirements and not on cost-benefit criteria.
|
| Department of Commerce | Given the criticality of accurate and timely weather observations, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services to certify to the Secretary that: (1) the cost/benefit criteria have been satisfied before investing in ASOS corrections, enhancements, and supplements; and (2) ASOS system performance criteria have been satisfied before releasing human observers. |
Closed – Implemented
NWS partially concurred with this recommendation. However, it did not implement all of the steps necessary to complete it. NWS did not establish cost-benefit criteria or establish system performance criteria with all users.
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