1.2 Transition
The National Weather Service River Forecast System (NWSRFS), a suite of Office of Hydrology-developed river forecasting software, was used by River Forecast Centers since 1985.
The NWS looked for a service-oriented architecture (SOA) and commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) approach to river forecast capabilities in the early 2000's.
The NWS selected Deltares, a company based in the Netherlands, in 2005 to facilitate the transition. The transition was completed in early 2012.
Beginning in 2014, CHPS hardware began using virtual servers. The hardware refresh required only three physical servers per office instead of nine.
According to the NWS CHPS page, CHPS is many things, including an implementation strategy, a software architecture, and a business model. The new system more easily accommodates advances in hydrologic science within the public and academic communities.
Note: For the scope of this course, CHPS refers to river forecasting system.
The National Weather Service Training Center (NWSTC) is providing River Forecast Centers (RFC) training on configuration, simulations, and system management, and concepts for optimal use of the system.
References: Deltares Wiki | OHD-CHPS Page