National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: National Weather Service
Modernization and Weather Satellite Program (Testimony, 03/29/2000,
GAO/T-AIMD-00-86).

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the status of the
National Weather Service (NWS) systems modernization and the National
Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service's Geostationary
Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program.

GAO noted that: (1) although NWS is nearing completion of its systems
modernization effort, it still faces important challenges; (2) during
the coming year, NWS plans to finish commissioning the Advanced Weather
Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), the final system of the
modernization; (3) at the same time, NWS is developing additional AWIPS
system capabilities to be implemented in the future; (4) according to
NWS, these additional capabilities are needed for AWIPS to improve radar
and satellite data processing and to provide weather forecasters with a
full range of interactive forecasting techniques; (5) NWS is also
developing a systems architecture to provide a blueprint for future
systems acquisitions; (6) regarding the GOES program, the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continues to deploy
weather satellites to ensure adequate satellite coverage; (7) however,
because of unexpected problems, satellite coverage is at risk and will
remain so until a new satellite is successfully launched; (8) NOAA plans
to launch the new satellite in May 2000; and (9) to ensure continued
satellite coverage beyond the satellite series, NOAA is planning for the
program's near- and long-term future.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-AIMD-00-86
     TITLE:  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: National
	     Weather Service Modernization and Weather Satellite
	     Program
      DATE:  03/29/2000
   SUBJECT:  Weather forecasting
	     Earth resources satellites
	     Meteorological research
	     Strategic information systems planning
	     Systems conversions
	     Information resources management
	     Geosynchronous satellites
IDENTIFIER:  NWS Modernization Program
	     NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite
	     NWS Next Generation Geostationary Operational
	     Environmental Satellite
	     NWS Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System
	     NWS Next Generation Weather Radar
	     NWS Automated Surface Observing System
	     NWS Automation of Field Operations and Services System