NWSChat

[Ryan McGinnis]

Can chasers view NWSChat? I've always assumed it was an internal product, but I've noticed other chasers referencing things they've read there during chases. Not sure if this is because they are EM folks and EM folks get access, or if it's because there is some gateway/product that I don't know about that allows chasers to view the chat.

 

[Danny Neal]

Public Safety official here....... (Fire Department)

 

[Jason Haller]

Can chasers view NWSChat? I've always assumed it was an internal product, but I've noticed other chasers referencing things they've read there during chases. Not sure if this is because they are EM folks and EM folks get access, or if it's because there is some gateway/product that I don't know about that allows chasers to view the chat.

just was wondering the same. Here is some info on who qualify to get on the chat:

How to Participate

* Be a member of the Emergency Management Community
o Defined as encompassing public safety officials who serve as employees or contract agents of a government agency at any level (federal, state, local, tribal, etc.) charged with protecting the public from hazards of whatever type influenced by weather conditions and Skywarn Net Control Operators such as Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES).
* Be a Government Partner of a specific NWS office
o Defined as encompassing specific government partners that are necessary participants in NWSChat for specific NWS offices that have missions that require close coordination with these partners, e.g. FAA officials (for NWS Center Weather Service Units) and water management officials (for NWS River Forecast Centers).
* Be a member of the Electronic Media
o Defined as encompassing parties who operate systems that routinely provide weather and water warning information rapidly to a significant part of the population served by the NWS office offering the IM service, and identified contract agents of these parties. Electronic media may include radio stations, broadcast television (TV) stations, cable TV stations, and providers of weather content for these and other means of electronic information distribution such as internet, wireless devices, etc

https://nwschat.weather.gov/

I would say chaser would not fall under any of above unless they are part of a skywarn or related group. Would like opinions on this as I would love to look at this info real time but not causing issues by signing up under false reasons.

 

[rdale]

Not just "Skywarn" - but "net controller." If you are operating as a net control station for Skywarn then you qualify. Otherwise, nope.

 

[Jason Haller]

Not just "Skywarn" - but "net controller." If you are operating as a net control station for Skywarn then you qualify. Otherwise, nope.

I guess it was in black on white and I could not even read it. I thought generally 1 would apply to all working for an organization like Skywarn but oh well. Wish they had a read only side for us chasers or the general public.

 

[rdale]

It would be WAY too much traffic if everyone was allowed in. It's bad enough with some of the EM's!

If you've seen weather chatrooms during a big event, you'll know why They aren't made public because some in NWS and TV don't want every behind-the-scenes thought to be fodder for public scrutiny.

 

[Jesse Risley]

Can chasers view NWSChat? I've always assumed it was an internal product, but I've noticed other chasers referencing things they've read there during chases. Not sure if this is because they are EM folks and EM folks get access, or if it's because there is some gateway/product that I don't know about that allows chasers to view the chat.

I've found that access actually varies by office, and that some offices are stricter than others regarding who they will accept.

For example, our local office abides strictly by the guidelines that rdale has already mentioned, but ordinary licensed ham/SKYWARN enthusiasts (some chasers and spotters) have been added by other offices, and they are not net control operators.

Users 'might' need to be careful what they divulge and to whom, as the terms of service do expressly forbid usage of information for personal gain, as well as releasing content to a broader audience that might cause confusion or otherwise be misinterpreted.

 

[Patrick Marsh]

Users 'might' need to be careful what they divulge and to whom, as the terms of service do expressly forbid usage of information for personal gain, as well as releasing content to a broader audience that might cause confusion or otherwise be misinterpreted.

I believe this is for real-time use. The reason being is that NWSchat information is subject to FOIA and thus anyone can request it after the fact.

 

[rdale]

ordinary licensed ham/SKYWARN enthusiasts (some chasers and spotters) have been added by other offices, and they are not net control operators.

Don't advertise that fact - I don't think the list is considered "guidelines" but required terms of service.

 

[Chris_Spannagle]

The use of NWS-Chat varies from office to office as do their policies as to whom they let in. It's safe to say however that for many reasons the general public (including chasers who have no affiliation with the NWS, EM, Media or some spotter groups) are not allowed access for the reasons mentioned above.