The National Weather Service (NWS) is an agency of the United States federal government that is tasked with providing weather forecasts, warnings of hazardous weather, and other weather-related products to organizations and the public for the purposes of protection, safety, and general information. It is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) branch of the Department of Commerce, and is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, within the Washington metropolitan area. The agency was known as the United States Weather Bureau from 1890 until it adopted its current name in 1970.
NWS HQ in Silver Spring, Maryland
NWS IMET Chris Gibson taking observations in the field.
Meteorologists preparing a forecast, early 20th century.
An Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS).
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a scientific and regulatory agency within the Washington, D.C.–based United States Department of Commerce, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Two NOAA WP-3D Orions hurricane hunter aircraft
NOAA campus in Silver Spring, Maryland
A NOAA engineer at work
Aerial photographer in the unpressurized cabin of a NOAA de Havilland Buffalo breathing with the assistance of an oxygen mask while operating a Wild Heerbrugg RC-8 camera
