The National Weather Service (NWS) is developing the capability to collect, distribute, and archive Weather Surveillance Radar - 1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) Level II data in near real time. The plans and architecture for implementing this capability has become clearer since the NWS implementation decision was announced at the AMS Annual Meeting in February 2003.

This paper and presentation will provide details on the network the NWS is building and the timelines for implementation. The network, primarily using a combination of NWS NET and Internet2/Abilene will result in more timely and reliable receipt of Level II data at the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) while also meeting operational NWS requirements at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). In addition, these data will be available for users outside the NEXRAD agencies.