Perhaps many of you are already familiar with the latest weather forecast graphics available on Amarillo’s website:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/ifps/ama/GFE/

Weather elements, such as, temperature, weather type, and wind, that were traditionally written in text form, can now be viewed graphically with just a few clicks of a mouse. These graphical forecasts represent the latest and most accurate forecasts, produced by your local NWS office, for the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. In addition, fire weather elements are available for those who have fire weather interests.

These weather grids are sent to the National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) where they are integrated with the digital forecasts from other NWS offices to form seamless national-scale graphics. Individual weather elements differ in spatial and temporal resolution, depending on users needs, forecaster skill, and forecaster workload. All NDFD elements are experimental and are currently being evaluated daily. Official release is expected to occur by June 30, 2004

The benefits of the NDFD are limitless, particularly to those who produce and disseminate weather forecast products. It is national in scale and will continually be updated as needed. As it becomes official, the NDFD will contain all the basic information from which forecasts are produced by the NWS. Emergency managers, city planners and broadcast media are just a few of the many local agencies and businesses that could produce a plethora of applications and products, such as:

* decision support systems that fit the forecast to the problem
* enroute forecasts that match a specific itinerary
* text generation in multiple languages
* forecasts for vehicles and hand-held devices with Global Positioning Systems
* controls for smart appliances (e.g., heating, cooling, irrigation)
* graphics for mass media.

Teaming the NDFD with GIS systems will provide very powerful capabilities. The NDFD will give customers what they want when they need it.

Mark your calendar now!!

The Amarillo National Weather Service will hold 4th annual Spotter and Cooperative Observer Appreciation Picnic on Saturday, August 21st from 11 AM to 2 PM. Last year, a total of 89 people attended the event which included spotters, observers, emergency managers, other valued customers, as well as several of the Amarillo NWS staff. The appreciation picnic is just one way the NWS in Amarillo wishes to recognize and show their gratitude for all of our volunteers, partners, and valued customers. It is also a great way for the spotters and cooperative observers to learn more about NWS operations, meet the NWS staff, and get to know each other. Several door prizes will be given away again this year.

A huge thanks to our sponsor this year. Glenn Jones, Manager of the Grand Street Walmart in Amarillo, agreed to become the sole sponsor of this year’s event. Walmart will provide all of the food, including the fried chicken, chips, cookies, watermelon and soft drinks. The success of the event would not be possible without their generous support!

Once again, Patrick Robertson of Kool 99.3 KEFH-FM radio station in Clarendon will provide music during the picnic. Patrick will provide rock & roll music from the 50s through the 80s and a mix of country music classics. Be sure to listen to his show Monday through Friday from 6 pm to 10 pm. Patrick also hosts the all request show “Flashback” on Saturday nights, 7 pm to midnight.