Forecast Utilization Of Video Camera Technology

Since 1997, the National Weather Service has been evaluating video camera technology to assess its application to the issuance of nowcasts and forecasts, as well as providing the public with access to visual weather data in a rapid, cost effective manner.

The eight locations the cameras are located include Binghamton, New York; Jacksonville, Florida; Plentywood, Montana; Russell, Kansas; Valdez, Alaska; Dickinson, North Dakota; Grand Mesa, Colorado; and three camera sites in Puerto Rico. During this past year, these sites performed a quantitative evaluation for forecast applications. This was necessary to demonstrate whether it would be feasible to proceed with the requirement for a national implementation of the video cameras at each Weather Forecast Office. The forecasters utilized a forecast matrix that provided valuable information as to whether the cameras were essential, useful, not useful or not applicable to support the Warning, Aviation, Public and Marine Programs within the NWS.

The feedback from the sites indicated the video cameras were a requirement to support each of these programs. The camera images provided important feedback with regard to coastal flooding, near shore wind, wave, and swells in supporting the Marine Program. The cameras additionally were required for the issuances of heavy surf advisories and for the enhancement of special marine warnings and special statements such as sea fog and squall lines. Camera requirements were also described for blizzard/heavy snow/winter storm warning issuance in remote areas as well as for ice jam flooding. Public products were enhanced with more accurate nowcasts as the visual images demonstrated rapid changes in sky conditions. The camera were required by forecasters for verification and confirmation of the actual weather conditions that took place.

The public interest has been heightened by camera applicability, as many of the sites have developed a home page with live weather conditions which provides the public with an instant snapshot of weather conditions across the local area. As a result, the users have provided a positive response to the NWS forecast offices for camera viewing access since users can quickly determine whether current weather conditions will impact their recreational and construction schedules for the day ahead.