The Congress Should Clearly Define the National Weather Service's Role To Provide Specialized Weather Services

The National Weather Service's basic mission is to provide meteorological services to meet public needs or the common needs of Federal agencies. It also provides special services for specialized users including: agricultural, aviation, marine, and forestry weather; environmental air quality; and weather conditions affecting such activities as space flight operations and energy development. The Service's total fiscal year 1978 budget is about $185 million, with about $32 million allotted for specialized weather services.