NOAA’s Role in Weather Forecastingand Community Preparedness

•Decision Support • NOAA remains focused on supporting high impact events

where weather is a factor. Whether it is a tropical cyclone threat or a fire explosion.

Population at Risk

NWS Mission

The National Weather Service provides weather,hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for

the United States, its territories, adjacent waters andocean areas, for the protection of life and property

and the enhancement of the national economy.

NWS data and products form a national informationdatabase and infrastructure which can be used by

other governmental agencies, the private sector, thepublic, and the global community.

Hurricanes – Tropical Storms

NHC covers big picture, determines what the storm is doing at present and what it may do over the next few hours or days.

NHC monitors suspicious areas via satellite, buoys, reconnaissance aircraft, radars and ground reports.

NHC uses computer model guidance to assess future track and intensity, and determine potential watches and warnings areas.

Detection and forecasting is a shared responsibility between National Hurricane Center and the San Juan Forecast Office.

Hurricanes – Tropical Storms

Local San Juan NWS Office analyses NHC data and combines with other local data to forecast the potential impact of the storm on the local area, and coordinates watches and warnings with NHC.

Develop localized picture of

timing and affect

Communicate uncertainty and impacts so our customers can make informed

decisions

Tsunami ReadinessTsunami detection and warning is a function of the Alaska West Coast Tsunami Warning Center in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Seismic Network. Local NWS San Juan Office receives warnings, watches and advisories from the tsunami warning center.NWS San Juan activates the Emergency Alert System in case a tsunami watch, warning or advisory is issued. NOAA’s National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program provides guidance and funding to the Puerto Rico Seismic Network for implementing local tsunami preparedness and to assist with the NWS TsunamiReady program across the island. UNESCO/IOC/ICG/CARIBE TSUNAMI and other Coastal Hazards EWS

Community Preparedness

Community PreparednessStormReady and TsunamiReady

UPRM Meteorology ProgramPhysics Department

Under the Umbrella of UPR-DOC MOU

Started in 2003-Under represented groups into the NWS pipeline

-NWS San Juan has recruited 3 program graduates last year- 21 summer internships across NWS Southern Region Offices