Representatives from the NWS Office of Science and Technology Integration (OSTI) and the OAR Weather Program Office (WPO) spent the day together for in-person discussions at the OSTI-WPO Strategy Meeting held in Silver Spring, MD on October 17. The objectives of the meeting included (1) highlighting the mission and vision of STI and WPO, (2) discussing areas for improved collaboration between the two offices, (3) assessing research and scientific needs of the ProbIDSS K10 Initiative, and (4) achieving concurrence on proposed transition planning best practices.

OSTI Director, Steve Smith, and outgoing WPO Director, Dorothy Koch, provided background on their respective offices, emphasizing each offices’ mission and priorities for the next three to five years. Incoming Acting WPO Director, Ray Tannabe, was also present and able to provide insights toward his new role. Subsequent sessions took a deeper dive into NWS priorities to discuss opportunities and challenges of collaboration between OSTI and WPO. The Team Leads for Ken's 10 Probabilistic IDSS Initiative facilitated a working discussion to brainstorm potential ProbIDSS research needs for which WPO might be able to assist. In the final session, all attendees agreed to support the implementation of a set of best practices that will increase the efficiency of writing and approving research transition plans. One of the main takeaways from this Strategy Meeting was the need for more routine, collaborative meetings to continue many of these crucial conversations. We look forward to future opportunities that will enhance the partnership with our colleagues in WPO.