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The services you provide can range from explaining basic space weather concepts to general customers to providing scale-based warnings to experienced professionals.
Scenario 2 Experienced Power Grid Manager
A G2 (a moderate Geomagnetic Storm) warning* was issued, and a Space Weather Prediction Center employee called a local electric company that was listed for G2 alerts.
SWPC Employee: Hey John, I am just calling to let you know that we just passed G1, and we are putting a warning out for a G2.
Customer: Fantastic. I knew you were going to call because we just saw a bunch of neutral line spikes. Are we expecting any more? Do you think it will get higher than a G2?
SWPC Employee: G2 I think is very likely. I don’t think we are going to get much higher.
Customer: Great! Thanks for the heads up.
*G2 is a warning based on the NOAA Space Weather Scale for Geomagnetic Storms which is discussed in greater detail in Lesson 3: Space Weather Prediction Tools.
Explanation: Experienced space weather customers might not need you to explain the basics. In fact, they may use language that is less familiar to you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Flexibility and knowledge are both key space weather customer service skills.
Scenario 1 Common Aviation Concern from a General Customer
An online news source published a story regarding recent solar flares, which worried a woman who was preparing to fly overseas. The woman called a space weather forecast office. The woman in this story should be considered a general customer.
General customer: I saw on the news that there is a lot of solar activity, and I’m worried about flying overseas. Is it safe to fly?
SWPC Employee: Recent activities may be a concern for some of our polar flights. May I ask where are you flying to and from?
General customer: From Chicago to London.
SWPC Employee: That isn’t a polar flight, so space weather shouldn't be a factor for you this time.
General customer: Okay, great! Is there a website where I can see how the conditions are changing over the next day?
SWPC Employee: Yes, our website shows the radio communication availability over the globe, including the high-latitude region.
General customer: Great, I’ll find it interesting to monitor the impacts of the storm.
Explanation: In this scenario, space weather did not impact our customer; however at times customers may experience alterations in their flight schedules or have concerns about radiation particularly during polar flights. Informed space weather center staff members can help educate and address the needs of these types of general customers.
Click the links below to consider the following two scenarios:
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If you are ready to provide space weather services to your local area,
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| Find out which types of industries or customers are impacted by space weather in your local area. | Review the tools designed for these types of customers on the WMO Space Weather Portal (described later in this course). | Partner with other space weather service providers through the WMO Inter-Programme Coordination Team on Space Weather and the International Space Environment Service. | Make customers aware of the types of space weather services you are able to provide and work with them to develop services that address their needs. | ||||
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