Join Jerry Shields to learn about the differences between the American National weather service and Canada’s own Meteorological Service of Canada.

We share the longest undefended border with the United States but the way our countries provide weather services is drastically different.

Welcome to episode #7 of Canada Talks Weather on July 19th 2018!

Welcome

 

Thank you for joining me, Jerry Shields, for this episode of Canada Talks Weather – usually the weekly podcast where we talk about all things weather coast to coast across Canada.

This is the second episode in a row that we’ve missed our weekly deadline. My usual co-host, Daniel Liota and I, work as meteorologists for emergency management.

All of the forecast fires in Ontario have made for a lot of work and no play. So we have been trying to find time to record our latest podcast.

I managed to find an hour of time tonight but unfortunately, Daniel is still unavailable.  He remains intensely involved in the situation and so tonight it’s only me.

Daniel did manage to send me his Weather Wisdom segment as well as his pick of the week.  So for those Daniel fans, you can get a bit of your fix.

Today I will give my take on the what I see as the differences between Canada and USA government forecast services.

First I want to talk about a bit about working as an operational meteorologist for emergency services.  This recent run of long shifts and intense forecasting for Daniel and myself has caused me to reflect on how this is different for everyday work.

The main difference for people that work operational meteorology than other weather positions or other jobs for that matter is sometimes you don’t know when you will be working or when you may get home to your home and family.

When weather emergencies occur, operational meteorologists that are responsible for notifying the public or helping with tactical responses are expected to work as required.

There are many events in recent memory that demonstrated this scenario.  Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Katrina, Ice Storms , tornadic outbreaks and Hurricane Harvey last year.  Meteorologists often find themselves involved in natural disasters and become vicitms stranded at work.  Living off of vending machine food or emergency rations can be the life of a meteorologist stranded by flood, fire or widespread infrastructure damage.

While these types of storms are no common place – they happen and can be the earmark of a weather forecasting career.   I think I speak for other meteorologists in these situations that the work done is these situations is a labour of passion.  The 16 hour days, fatigue and worry about families at home can be overcome by knowing that your forecasts may help save lives and keep first responders safe.

NOAA/MSC Differences.

 

Regional offices

– USA – 6 (4 of them excluding Hawaii and Alaska)

-122 regional offices

Office of the director has 9 national offices

-(AWC) Aviation Weather Center provides aviation warnings and forecasts of hazardous flight conditions at all levels within domestic and international air space.

– (CPC) Climate Prediction Center monitors and forecasts short-term climate fluctuations and provides information on the effects climate patterns can have on the nation.

-(EMC) Environmental Modeling Center develops and improves numerical weather, climate, hydrological and ocean prediction through a broad program in partnership with the research community.

-(NHC) National Hurricane Center provides forecasts of the movement and strength of tropical weather systems and issues watches and warnings for the U.S. and surrounding areas.

-(NCEP) Central Operations sustains and executes the operational suite of numerical analyses and forecast models and prepares NCEP products for dissemination.