Winter Weather Operations Plan WWOP

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Winter Weather Operations Plan (WWOP)

• Duty Assignments
• Pre-event Planning
• Flow charts

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Staffing Positions

• Public Information Officer (PIO)
• Event Forecaster
• Forecaster
• Shift Duties
• Storm Report Specialist (SRS)
• Mesoscale and Real-time Support (MARS)

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Public Information Officer (PIO)

• Primary point of contact for public and media
  interviews and inquiries prior to and during the
  winter weather event.
• Also acts as the coordinator of information and
  personnel during the event.
• More specifically, the PIO
• Serves as the event coordinator for staffing and
  information.
• Coordinates with the Event Forecaster, SRS, and
  MARS for changes in storm evolution and expected
  snow/ice amounts and hazards.
• Handles all inquiries and interview requests
  regarding the winter weather event.
• Assists the SRS in initiating the production of
  an event snowfall map for the web page.

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Event Forecaster

• Updates the forecast database to reflect the
  changing weather conditions for the duration of
  the winter weather event.
• Produces the text products derived from the
  database namely the Zone Forecast Package (ZFP)
  and Point Forecast Matrix (PFM) for the time
  period encompassing the event.
• More specifically, the Event Forecaster
• Updates the forecast database and reissues
  products derived from it for the winter weather
  event (while coordinating with the Forecaster).
• Updates the ZFP for changes to watches/warnings/ad
  visories.
• Issues and/or updates WWA products (warnings,
  advisories, watches) If the MARS duty position
  has not been filled or delegated.
• Issues and updates TAFs and TWEBs if these
  forecasts fall within the time frame of the
  winter weather event, and coordinates with the
  CWSU.

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Forecaster

• Updates the forecast database for the time period
  not encompassing the winter weather event.
• More specifically, the Forecaster
• Issues products derived from the forecast
  database as requested by the Event Forecaster.
• Issues and updates TAFs and TWEBs if these
  forecasts fall outside the time frame of the
  winter weather event, and coordinates with the
  CWSU.

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Shift Duties

• Issues routine hydrological products and climate
  products.
• Issues the Regional Weather Summary.
• Assists with data collection and quality
  assurance as time allows.

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Storm Report Specialist (SRS)

• Is the primary phone operator for the duration of
  the winter weather event.
• Also leads the initial storm report effort by
  initiating phone calls for snowfall/ice amounts.
  
• More specifically, the SRS
• Answers and routes phone calls to staff.
• Collects and logs snowfall/ice reports from CWIP
  and COOP observers, Emergency Managers, sheriffs
  offices, and E-Spotters.
• Leads the initial verification effort and issues
  Local Storm Reports (LSR).
• Monitors web page for accuracy of graphical and
  forecast information.
• Relays snowfall/ice amounts to forecaster(s),
  PIO, MARS and Shift Duties position.
• Prepares the summary LSR of maximum snow or ice
  totals.
• Initiates the production of an Event Snowfall Map
  for the web page.

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Mesoscale and Real-time Support (MARS)

• Provides synoptic and mesoscale information to
  the staff. Also conducts regular staff briefings
  detailing changes in the synoptic, mesoscale and
  storm scale environments. Optimally, the MARS
  will also provide incoming staff members with a
  valuable in-brief.
• More specifically, The MARS duty position...
• Conducts analysis of synoptic, mesoscale and
  storm scale conditions.
• Issues and/or updates WWA products (Warnings,
  Advisories, Watches).
• Issues and amends HWO.
• Provides updates to the PIO and Event Forecaster
  regarding changes in storm evolution and
  snowfall/ice amounts and/or precipitation type.
• Is the second point of contact for interviews if
  the PIO is unavailable.

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Staffing Flow Charts

• Three different models
• Based on how far away the expected event onset is

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Model 1
X 2 (eve/mid) or 3 (day)
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Model 2
X 2 (eve/mid) or 3 (day)
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Model 3Significant or High Impact Event
X 3 (eve/mid) or 4 (day)
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WWE

• Has ended, but HPC will
• Issue an internal (NWS-only) set of winter
  weather products for use at a WFO, twice daily
  following the 00Z and 12Z model cycles.
• Be available to collaborate with the WFOs for a
  set time period.
• Issue its operational suite of products.

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WWE, cont.

• WFO EAX may request HPC to facilitate a
  collaboration call for an event under the
  following guidelines
• The forecast for the event carries sufficient
  uncertainty as the to the strength, potential, or
  precipitation nature of the event (i.e.
  borderline cases where expected amounts are
  neither well above nor well below watch/warning
  criteria).
• Model differences are significant.
• The requesting WFO has coordinated the request
  with no less than 2 adjacent and no more than 10
  contiguous WFOs.
• Collaboration on 12 Planet has become inefficient.