National Weather Service Training Center

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National Weather Service Terms and Acronyms

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Click on a letter or title to go to that section of the list

A / B / C / D / E / F / G / H / I / J / K / L / M / N / O / P / Q / R / S / T / U / V / W / X / Y / Z

WFO Coded Identifiers | RFC Coded Identifiers

CWSU Coded Identifiers

Computer/Communications Dictionary

Weather Terms for Storm Spotters


Nota Bene: If there are terms or acronyms that you use routinely that are missing from this list, please tell us about them so that we may add them to the list.


Terms and Acronyms Starting with the Letter A

AA ... Assistant Administrator

AAIA ... Airport and Airway Improvement Act

AAO ... AWIPS Acquisition Office [AWIPS]

ABRFC ... Arkansas-Red Basin River Forecast Center (Tulsa, OK)

ACARS ... ARINC Communication Addressing and Reporting System [AWIPS]

ACD ... automated call distribution

ACN ... AWIPS Communication Network [AWIPS]

ACU ... Acquisition Control Unit

ADAS ... AWOS Data Acquisition System (FAA)

ADDL ... Advanced Development and Demonstration Laboratory

ADEOS ... Advanced Earth-Observing Satellite (Japan)

ADF ... AWIPS Development Facility

AER ... Atmospheric Environmental Research Inc

AERA ... Atmospheric Education Resource Agent (AMS)

AES ... area electronics supervisor

AES ... Atmospheric Environment Service (Canada)

AET ... ASOS electronics technician

AEV ... AFOS-Era Verification program

AFD ... area forecast discussion

AFFIRMS ... Administrative Forest Fire Information Retrieval Management System (replaced by the Weather Information Management System (WIMS)

AFGWC ... Air Force Global Weather Central

AFOS ... Automation of Field Operations and Services

AFP ... area forecast product (IFPS)

AFPS ... AWIPS Forecast Preparation System

AFSS ... Automated Flight Service Station

AGF ... agricultural forecast

AGU ... American Geophysical Union

AHG/FMH-1 ... Ad Hoc Group/Federal Meteorological Handbook No. 1

AHG/FMH-UA ... Ad Hoc Group/Federal Meteorological Handbook/Upper Air Radiosondes

AHG/MME ... Ad Hoc Group/Mobil Meteorological Equipment

AHG/TCR ... Ad Hoc Group/Tropical Cyclone Research

AHG/VA ... Ad Hoc Group/Volcanic Ash

AHOS ... Automatic Hydrologic Observing System

AHPS ... Advanced Hydrologic Predictin System

AI ... artificial intelligence

AIFM ... AWIPS Integration Framework Manual

AIREPS ... aircraft reports

AIRMET ... airmen's meteorologic information

AIS ... Aeronautical Information System (CWSU/FAA)

AISES ... American Indian Science and Engineering Society

AKRFC ... Alaska River Forecast Center (Anchorage)

AL ... Aeronomy Laboratory

ALAMP ... AWIPS Local Application Management Plan

ALERT ... Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time

AM ... area manager

AMI ... AWIPS Message Identifier

AMOS ... Automatic Meteorological Observing System

AMS ... American Meteorological Society

AMSU ... advanced microwave sounding unit

ANL ... Argonne National Laboratory

ANSI ... American National Standards Institute

AO ... automated observation

AOC ... Aircraft Operations Center (NOAA)

AOIC ... Acting Official in Charge

AOMC ... ASOS Operations and Monitoring Center

AOML ... Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (OAR)

AP ... anomalous propagation (radar)

API ... Application Programmer Interface

APL ... Applied Physics Laboratory

APO ... AWIPS Program Office

AR ... Alaska Region (NWS)

ARC ... automatic remote collector

ARC ... Ames Research Center

ARF ... aviation route forecast

ARH ... Alaska Region Headquarters

ARL ... Air Resources Laboratory (OAR)

ARONET ... Alaska Regional Operational Network

ARS ... Agricultural Research Service


ART:      The Automatic Radiotheodolite, ART, is a ground-based radio
         direction finder that automatically tracks a ballon-borne radiosonde.

ART Description ART Pictures

ARTCC ... Air Route Traffic Control Center (FAA)

ARSI ... Atmospheric Research System Inc.

AS ... Assistant Secretary (NOAA)

AS ... Agricultural Service Unit

ASA ... Administrative Support Assistant (WFO)

ASC ... Administrative Support Center

ASCE ... American Society of Civil Engineers

ASDAR ... aircraft satellite data acquisition and relay

AS1 ... Application Server 1 [AWIPS]

ASL ... above sea level

AS&M ... Analytical Services and Materials Inc

ASOS:     Automated Surface Observing System: NWS system of
         weather sensor equipment.

ASOS Description ASOS Pictures ASOS Comms Diagram

ASTWF ... Advanced Short Term Warning and Forecast Team

ASU ... Agricultural Service Unit

ATCT ... Air Traffic Control Tower (FAA)

ATDD ... Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division

ATMU ... air transportable mobile unit (NWS Fire Weather Program)

ATP ... acceptance test procedure

ATS ... Advanced Technology Satellite

ATWC ... Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

AUTOROBS ... automated radar observations

AVHRR ... Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer

AVN ... aviation forecasting model

AVP ... AWIPS Verification Program (replacement for AEV)

AWC ... Aviation Weather Center (component of NCEP)

AWIPS Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System: NWS Computer system for ingesting and displaying weather data for NWS Forecast Offices and River Forecast Centers.
AWIPS Summary Description

AWIS ... Automated Weather Information System

AWISPC ... Automated Weather Information Systems Program Council

AWOS ... Automated Weather Observing System

AWRA ... American Water Resources Association

AWS ... Air Weather Service (USAF)

AWSC ... Agricultural Weather Service Center

AWU ... area weather update

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Terms Starting with the Letter B

BF ... Office of Comptroller (NOAA)

BIA ... Bureau of Indian Affairs

BIFC ... Boise Interagency Fire Center (now called the National Interagency Fire Center)

BLM ... Bureau of Land Management

BMP ... bitmap (type of electronic image)

BMRC ... Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre

BOREAS ... Boreal Ecosystem Atmospheric Study (NASA)

BPS ... Baseline Proficiency Standards

BTU ... British thermal unit

BUFR ... binary universal format for the representation of meteorological data

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Terms Starting with the Letter C

CAC ... Climate Analysis Center (NWS)

CAD ... computer-aided design

CADAS ... Centralized Automated Data Acquisition System

CADD ... computer-aided design and drafting

CAeM ... Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology (WMO)

CAFTI ... Committee on Analysis and Forecast Technique Implementation (NWS)

CAgM ... Commission for Agricultural Meteorology (WMO)

CAI ... computer-aided instruction

CAMEO ... Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations

CAMS ... Commerce Administrative Management System (DOC)

CAO ... Chief Administrative Officer

CAPS ... Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms

CAS ... Committee for Aviation Services

CASC ... Central Administrative Support Center

CASE ... computer-aided software engineering

CASES ... Cooperative Atmosphere Surface Exchange Study (NCAR)

CAT ... clear air turbulence

CAWIS ... Committee for Automated Weather Information Systems

CBL ... computer-based learning

CBRFC ... Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (SLC, Utah)

CBS ... Commission for Basic Services

CBT ... computer-based training

CCF ... coded cities forecast

CCITT ... International Telegraphic and Telephone Consultative Commitee

CDC ... Climatic Diagnostics Center

CDR ... Critical Design Review

CEES ... Committee on Earth and Environmental Services

CEOS ... Committee on Earth Observations Satellites

CERC ... Coastal Engineering Research Center (COE)

CETP ... Centre d'etudes des Environnements Terrestre et Planetaires

CEQ ... Committee on Environmental Quality

CFO ... Chief Financial Officer (NWS)

CFWSU ... Central Flow Weather Service Unit

CHI ... Cloud Height Indicator [ASOS]

CIAMS ... Cooperative Institute for Applied Meteorology Studies

CIASTA ... Cooperative Institute for Atmospheric Science and Terrestrial Applications

CIMMS ... Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (at University of Oklahoma)

CIMSS ... Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies

CIO ... Chief Information Officer

CIRA ... Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere

CIRES ... Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (Colorado State University)

CIRP ... Cooperative Institute for Regional Prediction (OM/University of Utah)

CITM ... Cooperative Institute for Tropical Meteorology

CLIN ... Contract Line Item Number [AWIPS]

CM ... configuration management

C-MAN ... Coastal Marine Automated Network

C-MAWDS ... Computerized Marine Weather Data System

CMDL ... Climate Modeling Diagnostics Laboratory

CMM ... Commission for Marine Meteorology

CNR ... Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche

CNRM ... Centre National de Recherches Meteorologiques

CNRFC ... California-Nevada River Forecast Center (Sacramento, CA)

CO ... contracting officer

COAP ... Center for Ocean Analysis and Prediction

COARE ... Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment

COARS ... Computer-Assisted Observations and Recording System

CODE ... common operations and development environment

COE ... Corps of Engineers (U.S. Army)

COES ... Committee for Operational Environmental Satellites

COI ... critical offeror information

COLA ... Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies

COMAP ... COMET Mesoscale Analysis and Prediction

COMET ... Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training

CONUS ... contiguous United States

COPC ... Committee for Operational Processing Centers

COSMIC ... Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (joint U.S.-Taiwan program)

COSPAR ... Committee on Space Research

COTR ... Contracting Officer's Technical Representative

COTS ... Commercial Off-the-Shelf (software and hardware)

CP ... Communications Processor [AWIPS]

CPC ... Climate Prediction Center (component of NCEP)

CPHC ... Central Pacific Hurricane Center

CPM ... Cooperative Program Manager (replaced by the DAPM)

CPoS ... conditional probability of snow

CR ... Central Region (NWS)

CRFS ... Colorado River Forecast Service

CRH ... Central Region Headquarters

CRN ... Climate Reference Network

CRPA ... Centre de Recherches en Physique de l'Atmosphere

CRPE ... Centre de Recherches en Physique de l'Environnement

CRS       = Console Replacement System for NOAA Weather Radio. 
CRS Description
CRS Pictures

CRYSYS ... Cryospheric System (AES)

CS ... Chief Scientist (NOAA)

CSCI ... Computer Software Configuration Item [AWIPS]

CSEF ... Committee for Operational Processing Centers

CSIR ... Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

CSIRO ... Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization

CSTAR ... Collaborative Science Technology and Applied Research

CW ... continuous wave

CWA ... Center Weather Advisory (CWSU)

CWA ... county warning area

CWFA ... county warning and forecast area

CWSA ... Commercial Weather Services Association

CWSU ... Center Weather Service unit

CY ... calendar year

CZM ... coastal zone management

CZMA ... Coastal Zone Management Act

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Terms Starting with the Letter D

DAA ... Deputy Assistant Administrator

DAAM ... Deputy Assistant Administrator for Modernization

DAAO ... Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations

DACFO ... Director's Advisory Committee on Forecast Operations

DACT ... data acquisition and control telemetry

DAMBRK ... Dam Break Flood Forecasting Model

DAO ... Departmental Administrative Order

DAPM ... Data Acquisition Program Manager

DAR3E ... Denver AWIPS-90 Risk Reduction and Requirements Evaluation

DAR3E-II ... Phase II of DAR3E

DATACOL ... software system supporting RFC gateway functions

db ... decibel

DBMS ... Data Base Management System

DCO ... data collection offices

DCP ... data collection platform (satellite)

DCP ... data collection package (ASOS)

DDT ... design, development and test

DFD ... Data Flow Diagram

DFM ... digital forecast matrix (IFPS)

DHIC ... deputy hydrologist in charge

DIFAX ... digital facsimile

DL ... distance learning

DMA ... Defense Mapping Agency

DMAWDS ... Digital Marine Weather Data System

DMIC ... deputy meteorologist in charge

DMSP ... Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (USAF)

DOC ... Department of Commerce

DOD ... Department of Defense

DOE ... Department of Energy

DOH ... development and operations hydrologist

DOI ... Department of Interior

DOT ... Department of Transportation

DPA ... hourly digital precipitation array [WSR-88D]

DR ... Discrepancy report [AWIPS]

DRG ... Data Review Group (OSO)

DRI ... Desert Research Institute

DRR ... Deployment Readiness Review [AWIPS]

DS ... digital signal

DS1 ... Data Server 1 [AWIPS]

DT&E ... Development test and evaluation [AWIPS]

DTMM ... Director's Transition Management Meeting (NWS)

DUATS ... Direct Users Access Terminal System (FAA)

DUS ... Deputy Under Secretary (NOAA)

DWB ... Developers Workbench [AWIPS]

DWG ... Documentation Working Group [AWIPS]

DWIPS ... Digital Weather Information Processing System

DWOPER ... Operational Dynamic Wave Model

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Terms Starting with the Letter E

EAP ... Employees Assistance Program

EAS ... Emergency Alert System

EASC ... Eastern Administrative Support Center

Eb/No ... Energy per Bit over Noise density associated with the SBN operation

EBS ... Emergency Broadcast System

EC ... Executive Council (WMO)

EC ... Environment Canada

ECMWF ... European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting

EDC ... EROS Data Center

EDT ... eastern daylight time

EEO ... equal employment opportunity

EEOC ... Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

EFE ... extended forecast product

EFT ... enhanced terminal forecast

EIS ... Executive Information System

El Tech ... electronics technician

EMC ... Environmental Modeling Center (component of NCEP)

EMRS ... Engineering Management Reporting System

EMWIN ... Emergency Manager Weather Information Network

ENSO ... El Nino/Southern Oscillation

EOS ... Earth Observing System

EOSDIS ... EOS Data and Information System

EPA ... Environmental Protection Agency

EPM ... Electronic Program Manager

EPSS ... Enhanced Packet-Switching Service [AWIPS]

EPSS ... Electronic Performance Support System

ER ... Eastern Region (NWS)

ERH ... Eastern Region Headquarters

ERL ... Environmental Research Laboratories (OAR)

EROS ... Earth Resources Observation Satellite

ESA ... electronic systems analyst

ESA ... European Space Agency (NASA equivalent)

ESP ... entended streamflow prediction

ESPADP ... ESP Analysis and Display Program

ESPINIT ... ESP Initialization Program

ET ... electronics technician (also El Tech)

ETA ... estimated time of arrival

ETH ... Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule

ETL ... Environmental Technology Laboratory (NOAA, formerly Wave Propagation Lab)

EUMETSAT ... European Meteorological Satellite (NOAA equivalent)

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Terms Starting with the Letter F

FA ... area forecast

FAA ... Federal Aviation Administration

FACTS ... Financial Analysis and Commitment Tracking System

FAO ... Food and Agricultural Organization (UN)

FAR ... Federal Acquisition Regulations

FASTEX ... Fronts and Atlantic Storms Track Experiment

FC ... Federal Coordinator

FCC ... Federal Communications Commission

FCMSSR ... Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research

FCWOS ... FAA Contract Weather Observing System

FDC ... Forecasters Development Course (NWSTC)

FEI ... Federal Executive Institute

FEMA ... Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEWS ... Famine Early Warning System

FFG ... Flash Flood Guidance

FFP ... Flash Flood Potential System (NEXRAD)

FFS ... Flood/Flash Flood Statement

FGGE ... First Global GARP Experiment

FIMA ... Financial Information Management and Accounting

FINNIDA ... Finnish International Development Agency

FIO ... Florida Institute of Oceanography

FIRST2 ... Facility for Integrated Remote Sensing Technology Training

FIPS ... Federal Information Processing Standard

FIU ... Florida International University

FLDWAV ... flood wave

FLS ... Flood Statement

FMC ... Financial Management Center

FMH ... Federal Meteorological Handbook

FMI ... Finnish Meteorological Institute (NWS equivalent)

FMIA ... Financial Management Integrity Act

FNMOC ... Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center

FOB ... Federal Office Building

FOC ... Facilities Oversight Committee (Wx21)

FOIA ... Freedom of Information Act

FOP ... Financial Operating Plan

FOS ... Family of Services

FOSFAX ... FOS Facsimile Network (NAFAX and DIFAX)

FPMR ... Federal Property Management Regulations

FPO ... Flood Potential Outlook

FPS ... Fujita-Pearson Scale

FRA ... Functional Requirements Analysis [AWIPS]

FRG ... Field Requirements Group (of NSTEP)

FRR ... Functional Requirements Review [AWIPS]

FSL ... Forecast Systems Laboratory (OAR)

FSS ... Flight Service Station

FT ... terminal forecast

FTE ... full-time equivalent

FTS ... Federal Telephone System

FUIT ... Field User Interface Team [AWIPS]

FW ... fire weather

FWRA ... Federal Workforce Restructuring Act

FX-ALPHA ... FSL X window AWIPS-like prototype for hydrometeorological applications

FY ... fiscal year

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Terms Starting with the Letter G

GAI ... Global Atmospheric, Inc.

GAO ... General Accounting Office

GARP ... Global Atmospheric Research Program (WMO)

GARP ... Gempak Analysis and Rendering Program

GATE ... GARP Atlantic Tropical Experiment (WMO)

GCIP ... GEWEX Continental Scale International Project

GCOS ... Global Climate Observing System

GCW ... Senior Counselor for Atmospheric Research and Services (NOAA)

GDAS ... Global Data Assimilation System

GDDS ... GOES Data Distribution System

GDP ... Government Development Platform [AWIPS]

GDPS ... WWW Global Data Processing System (WMO)

GDSS ... Gauge Data Support System

GEWEX ... Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment

GF ... guidance forecast

GFDL ... Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (OAR)

GFE ... Graphical Forecast Editor (IFPS)

GFE ... Government Furnished Equipment

GFI ... Government Furnished Information

GFT ... guidance terminal forecasts

GFV ... graphical forecast viewer

GHCC ... Global Hydrology and Climate Center

GINI ... GOES Ingest NOAAPORT Interface [AWIPS]

GIS ... Geographic Information System

GISS ... Goddard Institute for Space Studies

GKS ... graphical kernal system

GLERL ... Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (OAR)

GLF ... Great Lake forecast

GLOSS ... Global Sea Level Observing System (IOC)

GMDSS ... Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

GMOD ... Grid Modification (IFPS)

GMT ... Greenwich mean time

GOES ... Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

GOES-NEXT ... Next Generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

GOES-TAP ... GOES Telecommunications Access Program

GOOS ... Global Ocean Observing System

GOS ... Global Observing System (WMO)

GOSIP ... Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile

GPO ... Government Printing Office

GPS ... global positioning system

GRIB ... gridded binary

GS ... General Schedule

GSA ... General Services Administration

GSA ... Geological Society of America

GSBP ... general buoy service payload

GSC ... General Sciences Corporation

GSCP ... GOES satellite cloud product

GSFC ... Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA)

GSM ... Global Spectral Model

GSTAR ... GTE Spacenet Commercial Communications Satellite System [AWIPS]

GTA ... Government Travel Account [travel]

GTA ... ground to air

GTS ... Global Telecommunication System

GUI ... Graphical User Interface

GWPAS ... General Work Force Performance Appraisal System

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Terms Starting with the Letter H

HA ... Hydrometeorological Applications [AWIPS]

HADS ... Hydrometeorological Automated Data System

HAPS ... Hydrologic Auxiliary Processing System

HAS ... hydrometeorological analysis and support

HAZMAT ... hazardous material

HCHB ... Herbert C. Hoover Building

HCI ... Human Computer Interface [AWIPS]

HCL ... Hydrologic Command Language [AWIPS]

HDD ... heating degree days

HDP ... hourly digital precipitation array [WSR-88D]

HDRAIN ... hourly digital rainfall (WSR-88D product)

HDS ... Hitachi Data Systems

HF ... high frequency

HI ... Human Computer Interface [AWIPS]

HIC ... hydrologist in charge

HIPS ... High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) Image Processing System

HIRS ... high-resolution infrared sounder

HIRS-2 ... high-resolution infrared sounder, version 2

HIRS-3 ... high-resolution infrared sounder, version 3

HIT ... hydrologist intern

HIWAS ... Hazardous In-flight Weather Advisory Service

HIWG ... Hydrometeorological Implementation Working Group

HLS ... Hurricane Local Statement

HM ... Hydrometeorological Applications [AWIPS]

HM ... hydrometeorological

HMDB ... hydrometeorological database

HMI ... Human/Machine Interface [AWIPS]

HMT ... hydrometeorological technician

HOMS ... Hydrological Operational Multipurpose Subprogramme (WMO)

HOT ... Heads of Training

HP ... Hewlett Packard

HPC ... Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (component of NCEP)

HRAP ... Hydrologic Rainfall Analysis Project

HRCDHM ... Hydrologic Research Center Distributed Hydrologic Model

HRC ... Hurricane Research Center

HRD ... Hurricane Research Division

HRD ... Human Resource Development

HRDI ... high-resolution Doppler imager

HRIR ... high-resolution infrared radiometer

HRL ... Hydrologic Research Laboratory (NWS)

HRMS ... Human Resources Management System

HRPT ... high-resolution picture transmission

HSA ... Hydrologic Service Area

HSP ... hard-wired signal processor

HWCI ... Hardware Configuration Item [AWIPS]

HWG ... headwater guidance

HWR ... hourly weather roundup

HWR ... Hydrology and Water Resources Department (WMO)

HYDROMET ... Hydrometeorological Survey of the Catchments of Lake Victoria (Kyoga and Mobutu Sese Seko)

Hz ... hert

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Terms Starting with the Letter I

IA ... International Activities Office (NWS)

IADB ... Inter-American Development Bank

IAEA ... International Atomic Energy Agency

IAGA ... International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (ICSU)

IAHS ... International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IUGG)

IAI ... Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research

IAMAP ... International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics

IAOPA ... International Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

IAPSO ... International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Ocean (IUGG)

IATA ... International Air Transport Association

ICAN ... International Commission for Air Navigation

ICAO ... International Civil Aviation Organization

ICCOH ... Interagency Coordination Committee on Hurricanes

ICD ... interface control document

ICMSSR ... Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (OFCM)

ICP ... Intergovernmental Climate Program

ICR ... Internal Control Review

ICS ... interactive combination selector (IFPS)

ICSU ... International Council of Scientific Unions ICWF integrated computer-worded forecast

ICWF ... Interactive Computer Worded Forecast [AWIPS]

IDB ... Initial deployment baseline [AWIPS]

IDD ... Interface Design Description [AWIPS]

IDNDR ... International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (1990-1999)

IDP ... Individual Development Plan

IEEE ... Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

IF ... Intermediate Frequency [AWIPS]

IFAD ... International Fund for Agricultural Development (UN)

IFB ... invitation for bid

IFFA ... Interactive Flash Flood Analyzer

IFLOWS ... Integrated Flood Observing and Warning System

IFP ... Interactive Forecast Program

IFPS  - Interactive Forecast Preparation System (used in AWIPS).
Forecasters use IFPS to create a digital database of predicted weather elements
from which a suite of text, tabular, and image forecast products are automatically
created and formatted.
View IFPS Training

IFR ... Instrument Flight Rule

IG ... Inspector General (DOC)

IGOSS ... Integrated Global Ocean Services System (WMO)

IGR ... Interactive Guidance Revisor (IFPS)

IGU ... International Geophysical Union (ICSU)

IGY ... International Geophysical Year

IHC ... Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference

IHP ... International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO)

ILSP ... Integrated Logistics Support Plan [AWIPS]

IM ... Industrial Meteorology Staff (IM)

IMET ... Incident Meteorologist (Fire Weather)

INMARSAT ... International Maritime Satellite Organization

INPE ... Instituto de Pesquisas Espacialis (Brazilian space agency)

INR ... Image Navigation and Registration [AWIPS]

IOC ... initial operating capability

IOC ... Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO)

IOSC ... Integrated Operations and Service Committee

IOT&E ... initial operations test and evaluation

IPA ... Intergovernmental Personnel Act

IPCC ... Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (WMO)

IPT ... Integrated Product Teams [AWIPS]

IR ... Infrared

IRC ... Information Resource Center (NWS)

IRIS ... Interactive Radar Information System

IRR ... Integration Readiness Review [AWIPS]

IRT ... Independent Review Team [AWIPS]

IS ... Information systems

ISABP ... International South Atlantic Buoy Program

ISB ... Implementation Support Branch

ISC ... Intersite Coordination (IFPS)

ISCCP ... International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project

ISCS ... International Satellite Communications Systems

ISIS ... Integrated Surface Irradiance Study

ISL ... Integrated Systems Laboratory (NWS)

ISLP-PAC ... IGOSS Sea-Level Programme in the Pacific (IOC)

ISLPP-NIA ... IGOSS Sea-Level Programme for the North and Tropical Atlantic (IOC)

ISO ... International Standards Organization

ISCP ... Incremental System Capability Plan [AWIPS]

ISDN ... integrated services digital network

ISPAN ... Information Stream Processor for AWIPS/NOAAPORT

ISWS ... Illinois State Water Survey

IT ... Information technology

ITIC ... International Tsunami Information Center

ITSSO ... Information Technology System Security Officer [AWIPS]

ITWS ... Integrated Terminal Weather System (CWSU/FAA)

IWDS ... Interactive Weather Display System

IWG ... Implementation Working Group

IWIN ... interactive weather information network

IWT ... Integrated Work Team

IUGG ... International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (ISCU)

IWRPC ... Improved Weather Reconnaissance Program Council

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Terms Starting with the Letter J

JAD ... Joint Application Development [AWIPS]

JAG/AW ... Joint Action Group/Aviation Weather

JAWF ... Joint Agricultural Weather Facility

JAWOP ... Joint Automated Weather Observation Program

JAWOPC ... Joint Automated Weather Observations Program Council

JAWS ... Joint Airport Weather Study (US-FAA)

JCET ... Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology

JCL ... job control language

JIC ... Joint Ice Center

JISAO ... Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Oceans

JMA ... Japan Meteorological Agency

JOI ... Joint Oceanographic Institution

JOSS ... Joint Office for Science Support (UCAR)

JPA ... Joint Project Authority

JPL ... Jet Propulsion Laboratory

JSC ... Johnson Space Center

JSFC ... Johnson Space Flight Center

JSPO ... Joint System Program Office

JTR ... Joint Travel Regulations

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Terms Starting with the Letter K

K ... a unit of temperature equal to 1/273.16 of the Kelvin scale temperature of the triple point of water

K-12 ... Kindergarten through Grade 12

KaPP ... Kansas Pilot Project

kb ... kilobit

kbps ... kilo bits per second

kB ... kilobyte

KB/P ... keyboard/printer

kHz ... kilohertz

KNMI ... Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut

KSA ... knowledge, skills, and ability

KSC ... Kennedy Space Center (NASA)

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Terms Starting with the Letter L

LAMP ... Local AWIPS MOS Product [AWIPS]

LAN ... local area network

LANL ... Los Alamos National Laboratory

LANSAT ... land satellite

LAPS ... Local Analysis and Prediction System

LARC ... limited automated remote collector (replaced DARDC)

LARI ... Local Application Registration Information [AWIPS]

LAWG ... Local Applications Working Group [AWIPS]

LAWRS ... Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Stations

LAWS ... laser atmospheric wind sounder (NASA)

LBC ... laser beam ceilometer

LDAD : Local Data Acquisition and Dissemination (external interface to AWIPS)
View info on AWIPS LDAD
View LDAD diagrams/add'l info.

LDS ... Lightning Detection System

LED ... light-emitting diode

LEDWI ... light-emitting diode weather indicator [ASOS]

LES ... lake effect snow

LETS ... Law Enforcement Telecommunications System

LF ... Lead Forecaster

LFM ... limited-area fine mesh (computer model)

LFTAC ... Lead Forecaster Technical Advisory Committee, now DAFCO

LLNL ... Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

LLWS ... low level wind shear

LMRFC ... Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (Slidell, LA)

LNB ... large navigation buoy

LO ... Liaison Officer

LO ... Line Office (NOAA)

LOS ... line of sight

LPG ... local product generator

LPP ... Limited Production Phase

LRC ... Langley Research Center

LRU ... lowest replaceable unit

LSH ... Lakeshore Flood Statement

LWOP ... leave without pay

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Terms Starting with the Letter M

MAD ... multiple access device

MAN ... metropolitan area network

MAP ... mean areal precipitation

MAPS ... Mesoscale Analysis and Prediction System

MAPSO ... Microcomputer-Aided Paperless Surface Observation

MAR ... modernization and associated restructuring (NWS)

MARD ... Modernization and Associated Restructuring Demonstration

MARDI ... MAR Demonstration and Implementation

MAREP ... Marine Report

MARFC ... Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center (State College, PA)

MARS ... Microcomputer-Assisted Rating System

MARS ... Multifunction Acquisition and Reporting System

MASC ... Mountain Administrative Support Center

MAT ... mean areal temperature

mb ... millibar

MB ... Management and Budget Office (NWS)

MBO ... Management By Objective

mbps ... mega bits per second

MBRFC ... Missouri Basin River Forecast Center

McIDAS ... Man-Computer Interactive Data Access System

MDCRS ... Meteorological Data Collection and Recording System

MDDS ... Meteorological Interactive Data Display System

MDR ... manually digitized radar

MDL ... Meteorological Development Laboratory (formerly TDL)

MEF ... manually entered forecast (IFPS)

MEOW ... maximum envelop of water

MEPA ... Meteorological Environmental Protection Agency (Saudi Arabia)

MET ... meteorologist

METAR ... Meteorological Aviation Report

METCON ... Metropolitan Consortium for Minorities in Science and Engineering

METEOSAT ... European Space Agency Meteorological Satellite

METSAT ... meteorological satellite

MET TECH ... meteorologist technician

MGS ... Master Ground Station [AWIPS]

MHS ... message handling system [AWIPS]

MHz ... megahertz

MIC ... meteorologist in charge

MicroART ... Micro-Automated Radio Theodolite

MicroSWIS ... Micro-Satellite Weather Information System

MIDAS ... multidiscipline interactive display and analysis

MIDDS ... Meteorological Interactive Data Display System [AWIPS]

MIME ... multipurpose Internet mail extension

MIS ... Management Information System

MIS ... Marine Information System

MIT ... Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MLLW ... mean lower low water

MLOS ... microwave line of sight

MMS ... Minerals Management Service (DOI)

MMTS ... maximum and minimum temperature system

MND ... mass news disseminator

MOA ... Memorandum of Agreement

MOM ... maximum of the MEOWS

MOS ... model output statistics

MOU ... Memorandum of Understanding

MPC ... Marine Prediction Center (component of NCEP)

MPEG ... Movie Picture Expert Group

MPR ... monthly program review

MPU ... microprocessor unit

MRF ... medium-range forecast

MRI ... Meteorological Research Institute

MSC ... Meteorological Service of Canada

MSD ... Meteorological Services Division (NWS Regions)

MSFC ... Marshall Space Flight Center

MSL ... mean sea level

MSM ... modernization system management (IFPS)

MTC ... Secretary Brown/s Modernization Transition Committee

MTIF ... Modernization Test and Integration Facility

MTS ... Marine Technology Society

MTP ... multipoint-to-point

MTS ... Marine Technology Society

MTTR ... mean time to restore

MWP ... Meteorological Weather Processor [AWIPS]

MWS ... Marine Weather Statement

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Terms Starting with the Letter N

NAD83 ... North American Datum of 1983

NAFAX ... National Facsimile Network

NAIPC ... National Aircraft Icing Program Council

NAO ... NOAA Administrative Order

NAOS ... North American Atmospheric Observing System

NRL ... Naval Research Laboratory

NAS ... National Academy of Sciences

NASA ... National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NAVD88 ... North American Vertical Datum of 1988

NAVOCEANCOM ... Naval Oceanography Command (USN)

NAWAS ... National Warning System

NAWAU ... National Aircraft Weather Advisory Unit

N-AWIPS ... NMC-enhanced version of AWIPS

NAWIS ... National Agricultural Weather Information System

NAWPC ... National Aviation Weather Program Council

NC ... Office of NOAA Corps Operations

NC ... National Center

NCAR ... National Center for Atmospheric Research

NCCF ... NOAA Central Control Facility [AWIPS]

NCDC ... National Climatic Data Center (NESDIS)

NCEP ... National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NWS) (formerly NMC)

NCF:       Network Control Facility: NWS & PRC managed help desk facility for AWIPS.
          NCF tel# = 301-713-1284

NCF Web-Site

NCO ... NCEP Central Operations

NCOP ... NOAA Coastal Ocean Program

NCP ... national change proposal

NCRFC ... North Central River Forecast Center (Minneapolis, MN)

NDBC ... National Data Buoy Center (NWS)

NDIS ... Natural Disaster Information System

NDRI ... National Disaster Reduction Initiative

NEIC ... National Earthquake Information Center

NEPA ... National Environmental Policy Act

NERD ... NERD Forecasters "Never Evaluate Real Data"

NERFC ... Northeast River Forecast Center (Taunton, MA)

NESDIS : National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service

netCDF ... network common data format [AWIPS]

NEXRAD:   NEXt generation RADar: The NEXRAD system is an interconnected
          system of Doppler meteorological radars (WSR-88Ds) destined 
          for approximately 175 sites throughout the continental United
          States, in portions of Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico,
          and at selected overseas military bases. 

NEXRAD Description NEXRAD Pictures

NEXUS ... Next Generation Upper Air System (NWS)

NFC ... National Finance Center (NOAA)

NFS ... network file system

NGM ... nested grid model

NGDC ... National Geophysical Data Center (formerly the NGSDC)

NGSDC ... National Geophysical and Solar Terrestrial Data Center (former name for NESDIS's National Geophysical Data Center

NHC ... National Hurricane Center (NWS), also known as the Tropical Prediction Center

NHD ... National Headquarters Development

NHDA ... National Headquarters Development System for Advanced Software

NHDD ... National Headquarters Development and Demonstration System

NHDW ... National Headquarters Development System for WFO Applications

NHOP ... National Hurricane Operations Plan

NHOW ... National Headquarters Operation - WFO Configuation

NIMBUS ... NEXRAD Information Management-Based User System

NIDS ... NEXRAD information Dissemination Service

NIFC ... National Interagency Fire Center (formerly BIFC)

NIP ... National Implementation Plan for Modernization of the National Weather Service (updated annually)

NIS ... National Implementation Staff (fomerly the Transition Program Office)

NIST ... National Institute of Standards and Technology

NLETS ... National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System

NLSC ... National Logistics Support Center (CASC)

NMC ... National Meteorological Center (NWS), now NCEP

NMFS ... National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA)

NMT ... National Headquarters Modernization Test

NMTR ... National Headquarters Modernization Test and Integration System RFC System

NMTW ... National Headquarters Modernization Test and Integration System WFO System

NOAA ... National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA 2000 ... NOAA Weather Radio Console Replacement System

NOAAPORT ... Broadband communications system designed to distribute information products produced or gathered by NOAA organizations

NOC ... Naval Meteorology and Oceanograpy Command

NOC ... Network Operations Center

NODC ... National Oceanographic Data Center

NODDS ... Navy Oceanographic Data Dissemination System

NOGAPS ... Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (spectral model)

NOHRSC ... National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center

NOMSS ... National Operational Meteorological Satellite System

NORPEX ... North Pacific Experiment

NOS ... National Ocean Service (NOAA)

NOW ... short-term forecast

NPC ... NEXRAD Program Council

NPOESS ... National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System

NPGS ... Naval Post-Graduate School (Monterey, CA)

NRC ... National Reconditioning Center (NWS)

NRC ... National Research Council

NRL ... Naval Research Laboratory

NRS ... NOAAPORT Receive System [AWIPS]

NSF ... National Science Foundation

NSIDC ... National Snow and Ice Data Center

NSSFC ... National Severe Storms Forecast Center (NWS); currently the Storm Prediction Center

NSSL ... National Severe Storms Laboratory (OAR)

NSTA ... National Science Teachers Association

NSTEP ... National Strategic Training and Education Plan

NTC ... National Training Center (NWSTC)

NTE ... not to exceed

NTIA ... National Telecommunications and Information Administration

NTIS ... National Technical Information Service

NVA ... negative vorticity advection

NWA ... National Weather Association

NWP ... numerical weather prediction

NWR ... NOAA Weather Radio

NWRCDR ... NOAA Weather Radio Climatological Data Reports

NWRFC ... Northwest River Forecast Center (Portland, OR)

NWR-SAME ... NOAA Weather Radio-Specific Area Message Encoder (formerly WRSAME)

NWS ... National Weather Service

NWSH ... National Weather Service Headquarters

NWSEO ... National Weather Service Employees Organization

NWSFFGS ... NWS Flash Flood Guidance System

NWSFMS ... NWS Financial Management System

NWSFO ... NEXRAD Weather Service Forecast Office

NWSHRMS ... NWS Human Resources Management System

NWSO ... NEXRAD Weather Service Office

NWSRFS ... NWS River Forecast System

NWSTC ... NWS Training Center

NWSTG ... National Weather Service Telecommunications Gateway

NWWS ... NOAA Weather Wire Service

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Terms Starting with the Letter O

OA ... Office of Administration (NOAA)

OAA ... Office of the Assistant Administrator

OAR ... Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (NOAA)

OAS ... Organization of American States

OAWG ... Overall Architecture Working Group

OBE ... overtaken by events

OBS ... observations

OCCWS ... Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services

OCONUS ... outside continental United States

OEM ... Original equipment manufacturer

OFCM ... Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Support Research (NWS)

OFF ... offshore forecast

OFS ... Operational Forecast System (part of NWSRFS)

OGC ... Office of the General Counsel

OH ... Office of Hydrology (NWS)

OHD ... Office of Hydrologic Development

OHRFC ... Ohio River Forecast Center (Cincinnati, OH)

OIC ... official in charge

OID ... Operator Interface Device (ASOS)

OIG ... Office of the Inspector General (DOC)

OJT ... on-the-job training

OM ... Office of Meteorology (NWS)

OMB ... Office of Management and Budget

OML ... Operations Manual Letter (NWS)

ONR ... Office of Naval Research

OOS ... Office of Operational Systems

OPM ... Office of Personnel Management

ORA ... Office of Research and Applications

ORDA ... open radar data acquisition

ORNL ... Oak Rdige National Laboratory

ORPG ... open radar product generator

ORR ... operational readiness review

ORT ... operational readiness test

OS ... Operating system

OSD ... Office of Systems Development (NWS)

OSF ... WSR-88D Operational Support Facility (NWS)

OSO ... Office of Systems Operations (NWS)

OSSE ... Observing System Simulation Experiment

OST ... Office of Science and Technology

OT&E ... operational test and evaluation

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Terms Starting with the Letter P

P3I ... (P cubed I) Pre-Planned Product Improvement [AWIPS]

PAAWC ... Prairie Aviation and Arctic Weather Center

PACE ... PC-based Asynchronous Communication Extension

PAGE ... Program for the Advancement of Geoscience Education

PBS ... Public Broadcasting System

PD ... position description

PDD ... Preliminary Design Document [AWIPS]

PDF ... Precipitation Detection Function [WSR-88D]

PDI ... Palmer Drought Index

PDP ... program development plan

PEB ... Performance Evaluation Board

PEIS ... Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

PERT ... program evaluation and review technique

PGAS ... Procurement, Grants, and Administrative System

PI ... Precipitation Indicator [ASOS]

PIBALS ... pilot balloon soundings

PIL ... Product Inventory List

PIPICO ... Panel on International Programs and International Cooperation on Ocean Affairs

PIREPS ... Pilot Weather Reports

PL or P.L. ... Public Law

PMAC ... Personnel Management Advisory Committee

PMEL ... Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory

PMO ... Port Meteorological Office

PMRS ... Performance Management and Recognition System

PNNL ... Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

PO ... program office

POC ... Point of Contact

POES ... Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite

POP ... probability of precipitation

PoPT ... probability of precipitation type

PORTS ... Physical Oceanography Real-Time System

POV ... privately owned vehicle

PPDS ... Preprocessor Data Base (NWSRFS component)

PPM ... parts per million

PPM ... printer/plotter module

PPP ... point-to-point protocol

PPS ... Precipitation Processing System [WSR-88D]

PPS ... pulses per second

PQPF ... probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasting

PR ... Pacific Region (NWS)

PRH ... Pacific Region Headquarters (NWS)

PROFS ... Program for Regional Observing and Forecasting Services

PROTEUS ... Prototype RFC Operational Test, Evaluation, and User Simulation

PRR ... Production Readiness Review [AWIPS]

PSD ... peripheral sharing device

PSOS ... Profiler Surface Observing System

PSP ... programmable signal processor

PSPC ... Prairie Storm Prediction Center

P/SEC ... pulses per second

PTM ... point to multipoint

PTP ... point to point

PTWC ... Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

PUP ... principal user processor

PVA ... positive vorticity advection

PWB ... pilot weather briefing

PWS ... performance work statement

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Terms Starting with the Letter Q

QA ... quality assurance

QAWG ... Quality Assurance Working Group

QC ... quality control

QLM ... quasi-Lagrangian model

QPE ... quantitative precipitation estimate

QPF ... quantitative precipitation forecast

QPS ... quantitative precipitation summary

QTF ... quantitative temperature forecast

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Terms Starting with the Letter R

R&D ... research and development

RADAP II ... Radar Data Processor No. 2

RADID ... radar information display

RAMOS ... Remote Automated Meteorological Observing System

RAMS ... Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (Colorado State University)

RAMSDIS ... Regional and Mesoscale Meteorology Advanced Meteorological Satellite Demonstration Interpretation System

RASS ... Radio Acoustic Sounding System

RAWS ... Remote Automated Weather Station

RCM ... radar-coded message

RC ... Request for Change (NWS)

RCC ... Regional Climate Center

RCC ... Range Commander's Council

RCM ... radar coded message

RD ... Regional Director

RDA ... radar data acquisition [WSR-88D]

RDAS ... Regional Data Assimilation System

RDBMS ... Relational database management system

RDD ... requirements and design documents

RDF ... revised digital forecast

RDOS ... Real-Time Disk Operating System

RF ... radio frequency

RFB ... Request for Bid

RFC ... River Forecast Center

RFI ... radio frequency interference

RFI ... Request for Information

RFP ... Request for Proposal

RI ... Requirements Initiative

RJE ... remote job entry

RMTN ... Regional Meteorological Telecommunication Network (WAFS)

RNS ... radar narrative summary

ROAMS ... remote off-air monitoring system

ROB ... radar observation

ROML ... Regional Operations Manual Letter

ROSA ... Remote Observation System Automation

RPG ... remote product generator

RPG ... radar product generator [WSR-88D]

RPGOP ... radar product generator operational position [WSR-88D]

RPM ... revolutions per minute

RPP ... rapid prototyping program (IFPS)

RRWDS ... Radar Remote Weather Display System

RSC ... Remote Sensing Center

RSMAS ... Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

RT95 ... 1995 Real-Time Forecast Exercise (FSL)

RTM ... remote training module

RUC ... rapid update cycle

RVR ... runway visual range

RWP ... Real-Time Weather Processor [AWIPS]

RWSO ... Residual Weather Service Office

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Terms Starting with the Letter S

SAAS ... Southwestern Association of Alert Systems

SAD ... system analysis and design

SAF ... Service Area Forecast

SAFESEAS ... System on AWIPS for Forecasting and Evaluation of Seas and Lakes

SAME ... Specific Area Message Encoder, formerly WRSAME

SAO ... Systems Acquisition Office, formerly SPO

SAO ... surface aviation observation

SARSAT ... Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking

SAWRS ... Supplementary Aviation Weather Reporting Station

SAT ... Site Acceptance Test

SBN ... Satellite Broadcast Network [AWIPS]

SCAN ... System for Convection Analysis and Nowcasting

SCC ... Satellite Control Center [AWIPS]

SCD ... Supplemental Climate Data

SCP ... Satellite Cloud Product

SCS ... Soil Conservation Service

SCTI ... SCAN CWA Threat Index

SDT ... short distance transfer

SEB ... Source Evaluation Board

SEDT ... Systems Engineering Development Team

SELS ... Severe Local Storms

SEPC ... Special Emphasis Program Coordinator (EEO)

SEPM ... Special Emphasis Program Manager (NWS EEO)

SEPO ... Special Engineering Program Office (CASC)

SERFC ... Southeast River Forecast Center (Atlanta, GA)

SES ... Senior Executive Service

SESAME ... Severe Environmental Storm and Mesoscale Experiment

SET ... senior electronics technician

SETSS ... Systems Engineering and Technical Support Services (NOAA)

SEUS ... Snow Estimation and Updating System

SF ... Standard Form

SFD ... state forecast discussion

SFDF ... satellite field distribution facility

SFP ... state forecast product

SGS ... Site Ground Station [AWIPS]

SHEF ... Standard Hydrometeorological Exchange Format

SHIMS ... Service Hydrologist Information Management System

SID ... station identifier

SIGMET ... significant meteorological information

SIO ... Scripps Institute of Oceanograph

SIP ... Site Implementation Plan

SIRS ... Systematic Interpolative Radial Search

SKYWARN ... highly trained volunteer storm spotters

SLIP ... serial line Internet protocol

SLOSH ... Sea, Lake, Overland Surge From Hurricanes (model)

SLUC ... standard level user charges

SMG ... Spaceflight Meteorology Group

SMI ... Systems Management Incorporated (AAI)

SMS ... Sychronous Meteorological Satellite

SO ... Staff Office

SOC ... Systems Operations Center (NWS)

SOD ... Systems Operations Division

SOLRAD ... solar radiation

SOO ... Science and Operations Officer

SOW ... Statement of Work

SQL ... structured query language

SPC ... Storm Prediction Center (component of NCEP), formerly NSSFC

SPO ... Systems Program Office (NOAA), now known as SAO

SR ... Southern Region (NWS)

SREC ... System Recommendation and Evaluation Committee

SRH ... Southern Region Headquarters

SRP ... Salt River Project

SRS ... System Requirements Specification [AWIPS]

SRSI ... AWIPS System Requirements Specification Volume I [AWIPS]

SRSII ... SWIPS System Requirements Specification Volume II [AWIPS]

SRWarn ... Southern Region warning application program

SSAB ... Source Selection Advisory Board

SSAI ... Science Systems Applications Inc

SSC ... Stennis Space Center, Mississippi

SSD ... Scientific Services Division

SSDD ... System/Subsystem Design Description

SSDR ... System/Subsystem Design Review

SSHS ... Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale

SSMC ... Silver Spring Metro Center

SSO ... Source Selecting Official

SSS ... System/Segment Specification [AWIPS]

SST ... sea-surface temperature

SST ... Software Support Team [AWIPS]

SSTG ... self-study training guide

STIWG ... Satellite Telemetry Interagency Working Group

STORM ... Stormscale Operational and Research Meteorology

STU ... satellite transmission unit

SUNY ... State University of New York

SVS ... Severe Weather Statement

SwEG ... Software Engineering Group

SWIS ... Satellite Weather Information System

SWIT ... software integration testing

SWP ... severe weather potential

SWRS ... software requirement specification

SWS ... State Weather Summary

SWS ... shared window server

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Terms Starting with the Letter T

T&E ... test and evaluation

T&EWG ... Test and Evaluation Working Group

TAC ... technical advisory committee

TAF ... terminal aerodrome forecast

TAPS ... Trans-Alaska Pipeline System

TAR ... tri-agency requirements

TBA ... to be announced

TBD ... to be determined

TCD ... tropical cyclone discussion

TDL ... Techniques Development Laboratory (NWS)

TDWR ... Terminal Dopplar Weather Radar

TED ... turtle exclusion device

TEP ... Test and Evaluation Plan [AWIPS]

TFTP ... trivial file transfer protocol

TG/SIS ... Task Group/Surface Instrumentation Standards

TIFF ... taged image file format

TIROS ... Television and Infrared Observation Satellite

TIS ... Tailor Initialization Selection (IFPS)

TOGA ... Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere Program

TOPS ... Team on Operational Proficiency Standards

TOPS ... Tomorrow's Observing and Prediction System

TOR ... Terms of Reference

TOVS ... TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder

TPC ... Tropical Prediction Center, also know as NHC (component of NCEP)

TPMS ... transition power maintenance shelter

TPO ... Transition Program Office (NWS), now known as the National Implementation Staff

TPOP ... temperature and probability of precipitation

TQM ... Total Quality Management

TRACE ... Total Resource and Cost Estimate (models)

TRACON ... Terminal Radar Approach Control

TROPAN ... Tropical Analysis Facsimile Network

TRR ... Test Readiness Review [AWIPS]

TSP ... Technique Specification Package [AWIPS]

TVA ... Tennessee Valley Authority

TWC ... Tsunami Warning Center

TWD ... tropical weather discussion

TWEB ... transcribed weather broadcast

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Terms Starting with the Letter U

UA ... upper air

UAP ... University Assignment Program

UARS ... Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite

UCAR ... University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

UCP ... unit control position (WSR-88D)

UGC ... Universal Generic Code

UHF ... ultra high frequency

UISG ... User Interface Style Guide [AWIPS]

UIWG ... User Interface Working Group [AWIPS]

UJNR ... US/Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources

ULRD ... user language requirements document

UMIST ... University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology

UN ... United Nations

UNCED ... United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

UNDP ... United Nations Development Programme

UNDRO ... United Nations Disaster Relief Organization

UNEP ... United Nations Environmental Programme

UNESCO ... United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization

UPI ... United Press International

UPS ... uninterruptible power supply

URL ... uniform resource locator (Internet address)

US ... Under Secretary (NOAA)

USA ... U.S. Army

USAF ... U.S. Air Force

USAID ... U.S Agency for International Development

USCG ... U.S. Coast Guard

USC&GS ... U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey

USDA ... U.S. Department of Agriculture

USFS ... U.S. Forest Service

USGCRP ... U.S. Global Change Research Program

USGS ... U.S. Geological Survey

USMC ... U.S. Marine Corps

USN ... U.S. Navy

USRA ... Universities Space Research Association

USWRP ... U.S. Weather Research Program

UTC ... universale temps coordinaire (French) translated as coordinated universal time or UTC

UV ... ultraviolet

UVI ... Ultraviolet Index

UVP ... ultraviolet potential

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Terms Starting with the Letter V

VAS ... VISSR Atmospheric sounder

VCP ... Voluntary Cooperative Program

VDD ... version description document

VDU ... video display unit

VDUC ... VAS Data Utilization Center

VEEP ... value-engineered environmental payload

VFR ... Visual Flight Rules

VHF ... very high frequency

VISSR ... Visible and infrared spin scan radiometer

VIL ... vertical integrated liquid

VOS ... voluntary observing ship

VSAT ... very small aperture terminal (WAFS)

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Terms Starting with the Letter W

WAFS ... World Area Forecast System

WAIS ... wide-area information servers

WAN ... wide-area network

WARFS ... Water Resources Forecast System

WARGEN ... warning generator software application [AWIPS]

WARP ... Weather and Radar Processor (CWSU)

WASC ... Western Administrative Support Center (NOAA)

WBS ... work breakdown structure

WBT ... web-based training

WCM ... Warning Coordination Meteorologist (NWS)

WCRP ... World Climate Research Program (formerly GARP)

WDC ... World Data Center

WDSS ... Warning Decision Support System (NSSL)

WFO ... Weather Forecast Office (NWS)

WG/AMA ... Working Group/AWIS Meteorological Applications

WG/ATD ... Working Group/Atmospheric Transport and Diffusion

WG/CIDE ... Working Group/Communications Interfaces and Data Exchange

WG/CSAB ... Working Group/Cooperative Support and Backup

WG/DRMO ... Working Group/Doppler Radar and Meteorological Observations

WG/HM ... Working Group/Hydrometeorology

WG/HWSO ... Working Group/Hurricane and Winter Storms Operations

WG/LDS ... Working Group/Lightning Detection Systems

WG/MC ... Working Group/Meteorological Codes

WG/MES ... Working Group/Marine Environmental Services

WG/MS ... Working Group/Monitoring the Stratosphere

WG/MIM ... Working Group for Meteorological Information Management

WG/NPL ... Working Group/NOAAPORT Liaison

WG/PSDA ... Working Group for Post-Storm Data Acquisition

WG/PS ... Working Group/Profiler Systems

WG/RMO ... Working Group/Radar Meteorological Observations

WG/SLSO ... Working Group/Severe Local Storms Operations

WG/SO ... Working Group/Surface Observations

WG/UAO ... Working Group/Upper Air Observations

WG/WWP ... Working Group/The World Weather Program

WGRFC ... West Gulf River Forecast Center (Fort Worth, TX)

WHFS ... WFO Hydrologic Forecast System [AWIPS]

WHO ... World Health Organization

WHOI ... Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

WIMS ... Weather Information Management System

WIPO ... World Intellectual Property Organization

WMC ... World Meteorological Center(s)

WMO ... World Meteorological Organization (UN)

WMSC ... Weather Message Switching Center

WMSCR ... Weather Message Switching Center Replacement

WPDN ... Wind Profiler Demonstration Network

WPL ... Wave Propogation Laboratory (now ETL)

WPM ... Warning Preparedness Meteorologist

WPN ... wind profiler network

WR ... Western Region (NWS)

WRH ... Western Region Headquarters

WRIST ... weather radar identification of severe thunderstorms

WRSAME ... Weather Radio-Specific Area Message Encoder

WS ... workstation [AWIPS]

WSBS ... WAFS Satellite Broadcast System

WSCMO ... Weather Service Contract Meteorological Observatory

WSFO ... Weather Service Forecast Office

WSH ... National Weather Service Headquarters

WSI ... WSI Corporation (NIDS provider)

WSMO ... Weather Service Meteorological Observatory

WSO ... Weather Service Office

WSOM ... Weather Service Operations Manual

WSR ... weather surveillance radar

WSR-57 ... weather surveillance radar - 1957

WSR-74C ... weather surveillance radar - 1974

WSR-88D ... Doppler weather surveillance radar

WV ... water vapor (satellite imagery)

WVSS ... water vapor sensing system

WWA ... Watch, Warning, Advisory and Statement application (IFPS)

WWIN ... Wireless Weather Information Network

WWW ... World Weather Watch (WMO)

WWW ... world wide web

WX ... weather

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Terms Starting with the Letter X

No Entries

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Terms Starting with the Letter Y

No Entries

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Terms Starting with the Letter Z

ZBB ... zero based budget

ZFP ... zone forecast product

ZHDR ... zone header

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NWSTC - Updated 02-24-2005

Webmaster : David S. Rowell
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