The National Weather Service was established in 1870 as the Weather Bureau and has since expanded to include 122 offices and 158 radars across the country. It can now be difficult to secure an internship with the NWS due to increased competition, but retirements are expected to increase opportunities around 2020. The document then provides details about the application process for NWS internships, the program structure and responsibilities, and tips for securing a position.
2. Established in 1870
Known as the Weather Bureau back then
122 offices
Expansion occurred in the late 80s and early 90s
158 radars
WSR-88D
Fully operational by the late 80s and early 90s
Now it’s very tough to get in
But, retires expected to increase around 2020
3. • Found out about it from John Quinlan
• Pretty much first come first serve
• SUNY Albany students get first dibs
• LSC students have done this in the past
• Starts sometime in June and ends in late August
• You don’t get paid!
• I drove 95 miles sometimes from CT
•And drove 45-50 miles sometimes from NY
• SOO organizes it and the staff trains you
4. Independent Self Study
Online courses and Exams
Software exam
AWIPS
DLOC Radar exam
Upper-Air
Need to pass all of them to continue
Participation in NWS Operations
Term Paper and Final Documentation
6. CO-OP
Go out in the CWA
Visit cooperative observers
Look at equipment to check for functionality
ASOS
Replace/update equipment
Go see if it’s working properly
River Gages
Check the equipment
Go out and find them
7. Complete three MetEd courses
Can be found at UCAR online
Also complete online TAF exam
And complete Basic Hydrological Services
Distance Learning Course on MetEd UCAR
8.
9. G/g Shifts
The G shift is the longer shift
Launch the upper-air balloon 12z
Help the intern with monitoring it
Help produce the RTP/RWS
Help produce the HYD
Complete the student AFD
Also for this shift in particular do a set of TAFs
The g shift is mainly for you to do the launch at 12z
After the balloon is released:
Pretty much do everything like the G, except the TAFs
Q/q Shifts
Complete the climate product
Student AFD
RTP/RWS
0z upper-air launch
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17. Occur at 12z and 0z
Inside preparation
You prep the sonde
Calibrate it
Baseline
Outside Preparation
Assembly
Call the airport for clearance
Release the balloon
Monitor and quality control the data
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20. Interviewed Joe Villani
Grew up in Central Ny
Loves lake effect snow
Also severe weather
He’s a Lead Forecaster
Warning coordinator
Radar watcher
Also makes changes to the radar
21. Don’t wait until the last minute
Don’t take no for an answer
Be repetitive
Don’t lie about yourself
Always tell the truth
Make yourself look good
Be patient and wait for a reply
Do not call or email them
You can only hurt yourself by doing so
Make sure you have done everything you can