The National Weather Service (NWS) operational weather forecast offices across the country issue weather warnings, watches, advisories and forecasts. Your local office is in Cleveland and is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of commerce in northern Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania and Lake Erie.

Our Mission
The Organic Act of 1890 declared that the government (specifically the secretary of Commerce, who oversees the NWS) has the responsibility for “the forecast of weather, the issue of storm warnings, the display of weather and flood signals for the benefit of agriculture, commerce, and navigation. It includes the taking of such meteorological observations as may be necessary to establish and record the climatic conditions of the United States." 15 U.S.C. § 313.

Our Forecast Area
Our forecast area (County Warning Area (CWA)) includes 28 counties in northern Ohio and 2 counties in northwest Pennsylvania as well as most of Lake Erie. The forecast area is determined primarily by our local weather radar coverage. We have warning and forecast backup responsibility for near-by offices.

Our Staff
We maintain a highly trained staff to carry out meteorological duties 24 hours a day, specifically the weather watch and the issuance of warnings and forecasts. Other routione duties include weather/climate observations and records, maintenance of equipment, scientific studies, public interaction and education, and administrative.

The staff includes:

Meteorologist-in-Charge (MIC): The boss. Directs office operations, staff and administrative programs.

Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM): Public/office liason. Outreach and coordination programs. Directs the office weather warning program.

Science Operations Officer (SOO): Office education and training programs. Cordinates local scientific studies.

Electronic Systems Analyst (ESA): Directs the office electronic staff and maintenance program.

Service Hydrologist: Directs and coordinates the local hydrology program.

Information Technology Officer (IT) : Hardware maintenance and software support for operations.

Senior Forecaster: Lead Meteorologist and operational shift supervisor (staff of 5). Forecast and warning operations.

General Forecaster: Operational Meteorologist (staff of 6). Forecast and warning operations.

Hydro-Meteorological Technician (HMT): Data collection and quality control, NOAA Weather radio operations, short term forecast and warning operations (staff of 4).

Meteorologist Intern: Forecaster/HMT in training (staff of 1 to 3).

Electronic Technician: Maintenance of office and field equipment, hardware, and software (staff of 4).

Administrative Support (ASA): Office/staff administration.