For over a decade, NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) has worked with the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) of Taiwan on a cooperative project in providing support to the CWB's weather modernization effort. One of the main efforts is to transfer FSL's AWIPS Two-Dimensional-Display (D2D) technology to CWB for its operation use. The CWB's version of AWIPS is called WINS (Weather Integration and Nowcasting System). The WINS system has been used operationally at CWB since 1998 and became the prominent forecast system at its forecast center. This joint forecast system project has been one of the FSL's most successful efforts in the international arena.

This paper will present an overview of the FSL/CWB project, highlight of the project and accomplishments over the past twelve years, the benefits to both organizations, and current status. This paper will also address the key components of the technology transfer including exchange visitor program, training program, software localization and customization effort, and project management of such technology transfer project.

This paper will also describe the WINS system to some details of its data and product communication, data management, D2D customization, local product generation, and application program.

Finally, this paper will present future plans of the WINS system including D2D upgrade porting to Linux platform, capability of GFE (Graphic Forecast Editor), next-generation forecast tools such as typhoon tracking plot, and dissemination of CWB products to emergency managers in Taiwan.