NWS Connect Initial Operating Capabilities Released

We are excited to announce the release of NWS Connect, marking the first iteration of many to come! 

NWS Connect is a vital element of Ken's 10 Probabilistic IDSS (Impact-based Decision Support Services) Initiative. This initiative aims to enhance the capability of NWS personnel to assess and communicate science-based probabilistic forecast information, and aid them in providing a range of possible scenarios to community decision makers. This empowers NWS core partners, such as emergency personnel and public safety officials, to make informed decisions when weather, water, and climate events impact the lives and livelihood of the American people.

The initial rollout of NWS Connect consists of several initial operating capabilities that form the foundation for future enhancements:

• A nationally supported database of core partner profiles, allowing supporting offices to easily view and engage with partners.
• An IDSS event management tool that allows NWS to capture the support needs of events in the local community.
• Enhanced IDSS email-sending functionality that overcomes previous capacity restrictions.
• Accessibility from any location and for all offices. This will allow NWS personnel to provide aid to other offices and contribute auxiliary support during surges of IDSS needs, and support interoperability for the seamless provision of our services. 

NWS Connect represents the first nationally coordinated effort to integrate IDSS based field innovations across the agency, effectively standardizing and supporting IDSS for all offices across the country. 

This is just the beginning! The soft rollout over the next several months will be gradual, continuing into 2025, and accommodating the variety of legacy tools and operational constraints across offices. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), NWS Connect is developed in an iterative, agile fashion, allowing for quick and continuous improvements. 

As the system grows, it will onboard new capabilities for decision-making tools, community engagement applications, and more.