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Service
Assessments
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NWS conducts Service Assessments to evaluate
its performance during catastrophic weather events. Assessments
are done when one or more of the following criteria are met:
- Major economic impact on a large area or population
- Multiple fatalities or numerous serious injuries
- Unusually high level of public or media interest
Assessment teams, composed of experts in and outside NWS, study what happened and NWS actions before, during, and after the event. Finally, the team recommend changes in NWS procedures, products and services to improve performance
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Southern California Wildfires, October 20 to November 3, 2003: Cedar Fire approaching the Scripps Ranch area October 26, 2003. Courtesy of John Gibbins of the San Diego Union Tribune. |
Service Assessments are part of the NWS Evaluation Program. The
decision to perform an assessment rests with NWS
management. Reports are available when approved by the Assistant
Administrator for Weather Services. If an event does not warrant
a service assessment, but a need exists to document the event's effects,
Post-Storm Data
Acquisition may be employed to obtain all data necessary for accurate
post-event analysis.
 Download a free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Print copies of Service Assessments can be ordered
free by contacting:
National Weather Service
1325 East-West Highway, W/OS52
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283
Wayne.Presnell@noaa.gov, 301-713-0090 x 176 or
William.Lerner@noaa.gov,
301-713-0090 x 133
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| Last Updated:
October 21, 2004
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