U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Description
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency of the U.S. federal government. It falls within the U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA was formed in 1970 through the combination of several existing agencies, including the Weather Bureau, Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the National Satellite Center, among others.
Mission
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, ocean, and coasts, and to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.
National Weather Service
Among the offices that fall under NOAA is the National Weather Service (NWS), the mission of which is to provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.
The NWS’s national Aviation Weather Center provides weather information for the world airspace system. Available are on Aviation Weather Center website are a variety of forecasts, advisories, observations and user tools.
The Aviation Weather Center is one of nine national centers that comprise the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), which was established in 1958 as the National Meteorological Center. Included in the national centers are the National Hurricane Center and the Space Weather Prediction Center.
