The National Weather Service (NWS) is renowned for its timely forecasts, watches, and warnings. Its ability to respond to natural disasters with critical information is unmatched, protecting lives and supporting the nation’s economy. To meet evolving needs, the NWS is shifting towards Impact-Based Decision Support Services (Idss).
What is IDSS?
IDSS encompasses forecast advice and interpretive services provided by the NWS. These services aid core partners, including emergency personnel and public safety officials, in making informed decisions when weather, water, or climate events impact American lives and livelihoods. IDSS support can be event-specific or routine, facilitating critical decision-making in various situations. NWS staff nationwide collaborate with partners at all levels to ensure these decision-makers receive the most accurate and reliable information. This is achieved through a commitment to science and technology, as well as fostering trust through strong relationships with key decision-makers. These deep relationships are prioritized with partners mandated by law, those involved in national security, those with high public safety authority, and those who can amplify NWS messaging to broader audiences.
How Does IDSS Work?
Beyond providing accurate forecasts, the NWS continuously engages with key decision-makers to understand:
- Which weather, water, and climate events have the greatest impact?
- How do these events influence core partners’ critical decisions?
- How can uncertainty in forecasts be effectively communicated?
These questions are addressed proactively, well before impactful weather occurs, through regular interaction, simulations, and enhanced communication. The answers are continually refined with each event and as NWS personnel build stronger relationships with decision-makers.
IDSS Communication During Events
During impactful events, communication takes several forms, broadly categorized as:
- Remote Support: Forecast advice delivered via phone, email, or webinars.
- On-Site Support at Emergency Operations Centers: Direct assistance within the command center.
- On-Site Support at Incidents: NWS deployment to events like wildfires.
Information provided goes beyond simple forecasts. It includes expressing forecast confidence, probabilities of various scenarios, and differentiating common weather events from truly historic or extreme ones. This comprehensive approach ensures decision-makers have the necessary insights to protect lives and property.
NWS conducting service assessments with emergency personnel following a historic nor’easter.
Severe weather briefing to NWS safety and preparedness partner agencies.
NWS IDSS Service Description Document v.1
NWS IDSS for Special Events and Enterprise Services
