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.
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.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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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ZBB ... zero based budget
ZFP ... zone forecast product
ZHDR ... zone header
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NWSTC - Updated 02-24-2005
