FSL has been spearheading the modernization of NWS forecasting systems for well over a decade. From early DARE prototypes to the current WFO-Advanced system, FSL has been developing and evaluating forecasting systems in an attempt to quantify and demonstrate for the NWS what is needed to support modernized operations. In 1996, primary components of FSL's latest system, WFO-Advanced, were selected for operational use by the NWS. The usability and responsiveness of the system by forecasters far exceeds any alternative systems.

The modernized National Weather Systems Architecture includes many (and several relatively new) systems for collecting weather data.

• NEXRAD radar units provide forecasters with a very accurate picture of local precipitation and weather patterns, generating a collection of products every five or six minutes.
• NOAAPORT (GOES and polar orbiter satellites) provide high-resolution images covering the entire continent.
• ASOS provides automated surface observations on an hourly basis from locations across the country.
• National Centers (NCEP) generate hourly national forecasts by running models on their supercomputers.
• Local data products particular to each site can be acquired and integrated into the AWIPS system (LDAD).

AWIPS is the critical component of this architecture that brings all of this data together at weather forecast offices across the country and supports forecasters in their use of it. Forecasters can select from a wide variety of data products, and can display them in an integrated fashion at various scales, using overlays and animation loops to help them analyze the weather. Tools within the system assist forecasters to rapidly generate warnings and forecasts to the public.