Will New National Weather Service Business Model Leave Gaps in Service?

In response to a request from lawmakers, the National Weather Service is changing the way it does business.

It’s a move that the agency believes will better meet the needs of a modern society.

However, the proposed changes have left many unanswered questions about what the realignment could look like.

The National Weather Service is an essential part of keeping the public safe from severe weather.

In 2017, the agency is testing a new strategy that it believes will better serve the public.

“The National Weather Service is increasing our decision support services for our partners helping society prepare for the impacts of hazardous weather,” said NWS Meteorologist-in-Charge, Ryan Knutsvig.

This new strategy would take forecasters out of local offices and temporarily place them in the field.

“We would perhaps send a meteorologist to an event or to an emergency operations center to work hand in hand with the emergency managers and those working to keep the people safe,” Knutsvig explained.

The National Weather Service is not looking to make any changes to their staffing nationwide and with more forecasters potentially out in the field, that could lead to some changes in servicing their local communities.

“The biggest way that the public sees them is that the National Weather Service issues storm watches and storm warnings and that’s where you have the most interaction with them,” said KVRR Chief Meteorologist, Rob Kupec.

The placement of forecasters in the field may also lead to local forecast offices open for only a portion of the day.

“In the Upper Midwest, we get more nighttime thunderstorms than anywhere else, and sometimes they just pop up and they weren’t in the forecast,” explained Kupec. “And if you’re not in position to be ready to handle something like that, it could detrimental to public safety.”

Although questions remain, the National Weather Service remains on track to test the new business model next year.

If the realignment is implemented, it will take place sometime in early 2018.