Weather Forecasting: Systems Architecture Needed for National Weather Service Modernization
AIMD-94-28
Published: Mar 11, 1994. Publicly Released: Mar 11, 1994.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Weather Service's (NWS) modernization of its forecasting system, focusing on: (1) the systems architecture the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses to guide the development and evolution of the interrelated subsystems under the modernization; (2) the existence and impact of architectural differences among the subsystems; and (3 responsibility for managing the modernization.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Commerce | The Secretary of Commerce should direct the Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere to designate a single manager or chief architect for the modernization with the responsibility and authority to define and enforce adherence to an overall systems architecture. |
Closed – Implemented
The Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere created a new position, NWS Modernization Systems Manager, to prepare the plans and schedules for an overall modernization systems architecture.
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| Other | The Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere should direct the new single manager or chief architect for modernization to develop a systems architecture and that the architecture include all weather forecasting and warning subsystems and be used as a guide in current and future subsystems development. |
Closed – Implemented
NOAA agreed with this recommendation and recently issued an IT architecture that includes the NWS IT architecture. Included in NWS' architecture is a description of all weather forecasting and warning subsystems such as radar, satellite, computer models, the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System, NOAA Weather Wire Service, and NOAA Weather Radio. In addition, the architecture can be used as a guide in current and future subsystems development because it describes existing subsystems and specifies the target technology infrastructure and technical standards for these subsystems.
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Computer network protocolsEarth resources satellitesHurricane AndrewInformation resources managementInformation systemsInterfacesProgramming languagesSoftwareStrategic information systems planningSystems compatibilitySystems conversionsWeather forecastingOpen systems