# Presentation: 516423

## OPERATIONAL BACKUP SYSTEM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICERIVER FORECAST CENTER

**OPERATIONAL BACKUP SYSTEM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE****RIVER FORECAST CENTER**

**HIC Conference - Kansas City**
**October 27-29, 2003**
**Billy Olsen **
**Hydrologist in Charge **
**Arkansas-Red Basin River Forecast Center**

## NWS RFC BACKUP SYSTEM

**Tri-Agency Water Control Meeting**
**Nashville, TN  Nov 4-5, 2003**
**Jeff McMurphy – **
**Sr. Hydrologist **
**NWS/ABRFC**

*Presentation adapted from...*

## OVERVIEW

**OVERVIEW**

**Project history and development**
**Hardware requirements**
**Software requirements**
**System operation**
**System readiness**
**Summary**

## PROJECT HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT

**PROJECT HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT**

**RFCs have never had true computational backup**
**Previous national concept - NWSHQ backup and maintain 13 RFC systems on HQ AWIPS**
**  ****Too costly, cumbersome, unreliable, time consuming,       **
**       ****inflexible**
**By NWS Directive, RFCs have always been responsible for their own backup.**
**In reality, WFOs are responsible for issuing required river forecasts/warnings using whatever support RFCs can provide.**

## PROJECT HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT (cont)

**PROJECT HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT (cont)**

**ABRFC, in cooperation with OHD, SRH and other NWS offices, developed and implemented an RFC operational backup system.**
**System has now been deployed at all 4 NWS Southern Region RFCs.**

## Hardware Requirements

**Hardware Requirements**

**Portable Internet-ready PC is able to forecast independent of AWIPS**
**   ****Laptop PC: 2 GHz, 512 Mb RAM, 10/100   ethernet, 60 Gb HD, CD-ROM, Floppy drive - $1500.00**
**  ****External router (enables multiple users via ssh and provides firewall protection) - $70**
**  ****Extra laptops (Linux and Windows) on hand for use as additional operator terminals**

## Software Requirements

**Software Requirements**

**Red Hat Linux 7.2 - $75**
**Informix for LINUX V7.31 - $10 to $12K**
**   ****(Lower cost alternatives available)**
**NWSRFS **
**Forecasting tools (xsets, xnav, p1/p2, etc)**
**Data ingest/product xmit programs**

## SYSTEM OPERATION

**SYSTEM OPERATION**

**Routine upload of NWSRFS model files (LINUX) and observational data (Informix unloads) to SRH server**
**Upon backup activation, set up system at off-site location with Internet availability **
**Download files/data from SRH server**
**Start up real-time data ingest processes (weather.noaa.gov, srh.noaa.gov)**
**Start xmit processes (LDAD -local & other NWS office)**
**Run model and begin forecasting routines**
**    **
**  ****-- Activation set-up process takes approximately 1.5 hr --**

## SERVICECAPABILITIES

**SERVICE****CAPABILITIES**

**River Forecasts w/QPF (NMAP) & 88-D Precip**
**Flash Flood Guidance **
**HMDs and HCMs**
**ESP/ADP runs**
**No ArcView / no FOP, etc**
**No RFC Website operations...have capabilities but there are security issues**
**Radar reflectivity, satellite & met models via web**

## SYSTEM READINESS

**SYSTEM READINESS**

**Store system off-site in secure and convenient location**
**Test system quarterly at remote location w/Internet and Telephone Service**
**AWIPS upgrades are good test opportunities**
**Software updated as appropriate**
**Train all personnel on backup system**

## SUMMARY

**SUMMARY**

**Backup system is operational & fast**
**Backup system is cost-effective**
**Backup system is flexible (cell phone & Wi-Fi)**
**Backup system designed for longevity**
**Backup system can be used on a national scale**