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7345912
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President's letter to Congress regarding the World Weather Program
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7345912
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document
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President's letter to Congress regarding the World Weather Program
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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7345912
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28
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1976-09-28
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9
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1976
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Digitized from Box 31 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 1976
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
Weather and climate are at once familiar and sources
of deep concern. Through technology, we have minimized
the harmful effects of weather and have adapted our
civilization to a wide range of climatic conditions. Yet,
we now know how fragile is the balance between our activities
and the environment. Understanding that balance is the key
to the successful management of energy, food, and water
resources and the beneficial application of technology.
Our national goals in improving weather predictions and
warnings and coping with the vagaries of climate cannot be
accomplished except in the context of a world-wide endeavor.
All nations play roles; the United States can be truly
proud of our contributions.
The World Weather Program is the U.S. commitment to an
effort that will affect every one of us. I am pleased to
report significant and continuing progress in furthering
the goals of the World Weather Program. The following
accomplishments are representative of the progress being
made:
---
There has been a smooth transition into the
operational use of geostationary meteorological satellites.
The Western Hemisphere, much of the Atlantic, and part of
the Pacific are now observed continuously. A nationwide
network of Satellite Field Service Stations has been
implemented by NOAA to capitalize on these new data. Hur-
ricane and typhoon forecasting has been aided, for example,
as has the observation, tracking, and warning of severe
weather over the United States.
:
The data processing system at the World Meteoro-
logical Center, Suitland, Maryland, has been expanded through
the operational use of a third, fourth-generation computer.
This system is essential to handle the improved forecast
models and the increased volume of data being received from
the World Weather Watch.
-- Augmented environmental monitoring and climatic
programs have been initiated at the South Pole, American
Samoa, and Barrow, Alaska.
-- Engineering tests have been completed on large
meteorological and oceanographic buoys. The first prototype
operational system was moored 240 miles off the Oregon coast.
Others are scheduled for operation this summer.
-- The initial data-processing phase for the Global
Atmospheric Research Program's (GARP) Atlantic Tropical
Experiment has been completed and scientific analysis is
well underway.
more
2
-- A series of Data Systems Tests have been completed
as a dress rehearsal for the First GARP Global Experiment
which starts in 1978.
-- The Global Experiment received major impetus when
over 40 nations met in February 1976 and agreed to commit
ships, buoys, balloon systems, satellites, and other
critical facilities for the observational period planned
for 1977-1979.
It is with pleasure that I transmit this annual report
describing current planned Federal activities contributing
to the World Weather Program. The report details how the
United States is following the intent of Senate Concurrent
Resolution 67 of the 90th Congress to participate in this
international program.
GERALD R. FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 28, 1976
#####