A centralized forecasting system for the western United States

TitleA centralized forecasting system for the western United States
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1986
AuthorsShafer, B. A., and Huddleston J. M.
Conference Name54th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 54th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1986
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationPhoenix, Arizona
KeywordsForecasting system, Hydrologic data bases, SNOTEL, Streamflow forecasting, Water management planning
Abstract

As a result of a reorganization in the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Snow Survey Program in 1983, a number of functions including streamflow forecasting, data base support, hydrologic modeling, and report generation were assigned to the West National Technical Center in Portland, Oregon. To fulfill these responsibilities, a Data General MV-8000 minicomputer was acquired and a centralized forecasting system (CFS) designed and implemented on it that supports snow survey activities in 12 western states. Within CFS, an operational data base consisting of daily and monthly time series data has been created. Access to CFS is provided to other federal and state agencies as well as the general public through both asynchronous and synchronous communications. CFS is conceptualized as the primary focal point for snow survey data collection, data exchange, and forecast product dissemination. It is being integrated into SCS' Field Office Communication and Automation System (FOCAS) implementation plan to help expedite delivery of planning information to local users.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1986Shafer.pdf