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Service Assessments

Derecho of 2012.  See caption below for description

 

Historic Derecho, June 29, 2012

Visible satellite image at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) June 29, 2012, as the derecho moved across Ohio. National Lightning Data Network (NLDN) Cloud to ground (CG) lightning strikes for the 1-hour period, 4-5 p.m. EDT, are plotted in red. Surface observations are plotted in green. Smaller insets show radar reflectivity images of the derecho during the afternoon and evening.


NWS conducts Service Assessments to evaluate its performance after significant hydrometeorological, oceanographic, or geological events. Assessments may be initiated 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
  • Extensive national public interest or media coverage
  • Unusual level of attention to NWS performance
Assessment teams, composed of experts from within and outside the NWS, evaluate activities before, during, and after events to determine the usefulness of NWS products and services.The team generates a report, which serves as an evaluative tool to identify and share best practices in operations and procedures, and identify and address service deficiencies. The goal of the activity is for the NWS to continuously improve its services to the nation.

2010-2012

2005-2009

2000-2004

1995-1999

1990-1994

1980-1989

1970-1979

1960-1969

1950-1959

Adobe Acrobat logo Most Assessments are PDFs. Download free PDF Reader.

Service Assessments are part of the NWS Verification Program. The NWS Office of the Administrator decides whether to perform an assessment. A report is released when the Assistant Administrator for Weather Services has approved it. If an event does not warrant a service assessment, but a need exists to document the event's data, NWS staff may issue a Post-Storm Data Acquisition report. Single hard copies of older Service Assessments reports may be available, email:



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Last Updated: January 31, 2013