About the NWS Quad Cities Weather Forecast Office

Office Overview

NWS Quad Cities Forecast and Warning Area

NWS Quad Cities Office Staff

Science Operations Officer

The SOO serves as the office's principal and senior scientific advisor and is in charge of training for all employees, developing them as forecasters, scientists, and as leaders. They oversee the integration of the latest research into operations, and will work with academia. The SOO collaborates with the WCM to ensure that the workflow of the operations results in the best quality forecasts, warnings, and other services.

Observing Program Leader

The OPL oversees data collection, quality, and dissemination in the forecast office.   This includes the area cooperative observer program, climate data, and river basin information.

Information Technology Officer

The ITO provides applications and program support for the office.  This includes installing configuring and maintaining existing applications and programs and also develops programs and scripts as needed in both Linux and Windows environments.

Electronic Systems Analyst

The ESA is in charge of overseeing the maintenance of all equipment in the forecast office.   This includes maintaining the local area network, AWIPS system administration, heating and cooling equipment, ASOS, upper air, and radar instruments.

Senior Service Hydrologist

NOAA hydrologists make river, flood and water-supply forecasts and do research needed to improve such forecasts. Forecasts are required for public warnings, operation of reservoirs, availability of water supply, river management for pollution abatement and many other purposes.

Candidates who satisfy the minimum entrance requirements may start in a River Forecast Center or as a Service Hydrologist in the National Weather Service Forecast office. Those with advanced degrees may start in a River Forecast center or in the Hydrologic Research laboratory.

Hydrologist trainees at the River Forecast Centers learn to interpret river and rainfall reports and to issue river and flood forecasts and warnings. With more experience they devise means of adapting standardized forecast methods to the particular river basins assigned to the Center and engage in liaison activities with the U.S. Army Corps if Engineers and other users of river and flood forecasts.

Research is mostly centered in the National Weather Service Headquarters and is directed chiefly to more accurate evaluation of the various phases of the hydrologic cycle for the purpose of improving river and flood forecasts. It includes work with radars, satellites, computers and other modern devices

Administrative Assistant

The Administrative Assistant performs a wide range of administrative functions for the staff management team; this can include performing technical aspects of all administrative programs and activities for the office related to budget, funds control, purchasing, procurement requests, contract monitoring, property, vehicles, travel, training, personnel actions, time and attendance, mail, and maintaining office supplies and equipment.  In addition, the Administrative Assistant acts as a liaison with Regional Headquarters and works with the Administrative Support Center (ASC) on all administrative matters; this includes establishing and maintaining files, spreadsheets, or other records for forecasting milestones and tracking progress and relevant expenditure categories such as funds, FTE, work hours, materials, maintenance, and energy. 

Forecasters

We are staffed with 13 forecasters who work round the clock, 365 days a year. These are the staff that analyze meteorological data and make the critical forecasts and warnings, and provide impact-based decision support services (IDSS). Types of forecasts are staff issues:

• Public forecasts
• Interpretive services for decision-makers
• Aviation forecasts
• Hydrologic forecasts for the many area rivers
• Fire weather forecasts for government land management agencies

Electronic Technicians

Electronics/Engineering services are vital to the National Weather Service’s increasing equipment-oriented activities. Approximately 9,000 individual electronics equipment and systems are presently used in support of the NWS field operations. Maintenance of essential equipment is performed by over 400 field based technicians at over 300 stations throughout the United States including its territories.

Field electronics Technicians maintain and modify a wide array of sophisticated equipment including radars, upper air telemetry and tracking equipment, computers, remote atmospheric data sensing equipment and communications equipment. These technicians ensure that precision and uniform output from environmental sensing, processing, and display systems are maintained. This involves anticipating and performing the necessary repairs expeditiously and economically. Because of expansions of equipment, training is provided to nearly all technicians. This training provides the electronics staffs with the knowledge and skills required to install and maintain equipment and facilities at established standards. This is accomplished by utilizing on-the-job, home study, trade school, university, industrial, and inter-agency courses.

Climate

Recreation

Cultural and recreational facilities of all types common to a community of this size are available. The Quad City Symphony Orchestra, oldest west of the Mississippi, performs in Centennial Hall seasonally. A number of theatrical, musical, and sport events are performed throughout the year at the "Vibrant Area at The MARK” with a 12,000 seat capacity. The QCA is home to the a minor league hockey team (Quad City Mallards) and an Arena Football League Team (Quad City Steamwheelers). The Quad Cities is also home to the Quad Cities River Bandits, an Advanced-A baseball team associated with the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. The John Deere Classic Golf Tournament is held annually at TPC Deere Run in nearby Silvis, IL. There are numerous public and five private golf courses in the QCA. Big cities such as Chicago and Des Moines are 2 1⁄2 hours from the Quad Cities, and St. Louis is approximately a four hour drive.

Each January, hundreds of Bald Eagles are visible along the Mississippi River in the QCA as they migrate through the region. Pheasant, duck, deer, and small game hunting are available nearby. Boating and fishing on the Mississippi River and nearby lakes and streams draw a sizable share of enthusiasts.
 

Educational Facilities

Transportation

Office History
 

May 24, 1871	Office began on the third floor of the First National Bank Building at Second and Main Streets in Davenport.
April 1, 1890	Office moved to the third floor of the Masonic Temple at Third and Main Streets in Davenport. Station elevation was 613 feet.
November 3, 1896	Office moved to the second floor of the Post Office Building at Fourth and Perry Streets in Davenport. Station elevation was 606 feet. (Official wind records made at Moline Airport January 1, 1929 to December 31, 1933.)
September 4, 1931	Moved to the sixth floor of the Union Bank Building at Third and Brady Streets in Davenport. Station elevation was 661 feet.
September 26, 1933	Moved to the third floor of the Post Office Building at Fourth and Perry Streets in Davenport. Station elevation 619 feet.
October 1, 1936	Opened new office on the northeast corner of the Moline Airport.
December 27, 1939	Moline office moved to the second floor of the Administration Building of the Moline Airport (renamed Quad City Airport in 1954). Station elevation 589 feet.
February 28, 1953	Davenport City Office closed.
August 30, 1977	The Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR 74C) was commissioned this date at the Quad City Airport in Moline, Illinois. It was later dedicated on September 13, 1977.
April 4, 1961	Moved to the second floor of the Terminal Building (renamed Airport Annex in 1986) of the Quad City Airport. Station elevation 589 feet.
February 5, 1991	The Weather Service was relocated to the south side of the Quad City Airport. 7501 68th ST, Milan, IL 61264-3266. Station elevation 589 (Ivory Tip 584.807 ft). Additional Note... The local warning RADAR was left behind at the old location until April of 1991. RADAR operations were conducted at the old location into April of 1991. From the last part of April into the month of May 1991, RADAR was relocated to its new location at the Rock Island county FEMA site. RADAR observations were conducted at the new location from that time forward.
October 27, 1993	A formal groundbreaking ceremony was conducted at the Davenport, Iowa Airport, to mark the beginning of construction of a new Weather Forecast Office (WFO). Meteorologist in Charge (MIC) James F. Meyer of Weather Service Office (WSO) Moline, Illinois, joined several local and state dignitaries in turning the symbolic first shovelsful of earth for the project.
August 1, 1994	New National Weather Service Office at the Davenport, Iowa Airport accepted. No staff on hand at this time with the actual physical move occurring at a later date.
September 1994	Part time operations started at the new National Weather Service Office in Davenport, Iowa. Charles Fenley, the new MIC, arrived on September 6 and new office furniture arrived on September 12. Management staff working between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM. Full time operations not expected until early 1995.
November 2, 1994	WSR-88D tower dome was raised and placed on the tower platform at 355 PM. South winds of 18 to 25 knots made this a tricky task. Martin Ray, UNISYS Field Engineer, said "It's all downhill from here." RDA, RPG, and PUP arrived on November 8.
January 13, 1995	WSR-88D was accepted (handed over to the NWS) from Unisys.
February 16, 1995	Upper Air equipment was moved from Peoria, Illinois to the new Davenport, Iowa NWS location during the week of the 13th. The first flight was launched on February 16 at 5:00 p.m. LST (00Z 2/17/95).
February 20, 1995	Full time warning and Short Term Forecast operations officially started at the new NWS facility at the Davenport Airport as of midnight LST.
February 22, 1995	All remaining equipment at the Moline, Illinois office was moved to the Davenport, Iowa office. This included the NOAA Weather Radio console which operated the Rock Island, Illinois transmitter. All surface observational equipment and several Interns and HMTs remained at the Moline office to take surface observations. This was required until ASOS was commissioned.
February 23, 1995	The NOAA Weather Radio console from Waterloo, Iowa was brought over to the Davenport, Iowa office and turned into the Cedar Rapids, Iowa console. (Des Moines, Iowa NWS office switched their Cedar Rapids NWR over to the Waterloo circuit).
March 1, 1995	The County Warning Area (CWA) for the new Quad Cities NWS office expanded from the 12 county CWA (from Moline, Illinois) to 34 counties.
March 6, 1995	The Dubuque, Iowa NOAA Weather Radio console was moved from Dubuque to the new Quad Cities NWS office. This brought our total NWR consoles up to a total of three.
April 1, 1995	Hydrologic responsibility was assumed on this date over the 34 county Hydrologic Service Area (HSA).
July 1, 1995	The Moline, Illinois Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) unit was commissioned and taking the official surface weather readings at the Quad City Airport. All remaining NWS staffing at Moline office transferred to the new Quad Cities (Davenport) office.
September 1, 1995	Dubuque, Iowa ASOS commissioned on this date. National Weather Service staffing remained through October 15, 1995. No official NWS presence after October 15, 1995.
September 7, 1995	WSR-88D commissioned as the official National Weather Service radar.
November 1, 1995	Terminal Aviation Forecast (FT) for Moline, Illinois assumed by the new Quad Cities NWS office
December 1, 1995	Terminal Aviation Forecasts for Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Burlington assumed by the new Quad Cities NWS office.
January 1, 1996	Transcribed Weather Broadcast Text Products (CHITWB216, CHITWB217, CHITWB303 and DSMTWB305) assumed by the new Quad Cities NWS office.
February 7, 1996	The old WSR 74C radar located at old NWS location was decommissioned this date. All of the equipment (except the tower) was sold to private sources in June of 1996.
August 1, 1998	NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) "Console Replacement System" (CRS) was officially activated this day as of midnight LST. This ushered in new computer voice capabilities as the new voice of the NWS.
October 1998	The last of 5 new Senior Forecasters arrived on station to complete the forecast staff.
February 17, 1999	National Weather Service Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa), began forecasting for 21 zones (counties) in eastern Iowa and 13 zones (counties) in northwest Illinois. The first official Area Forecast Discussion, Zone Forecast Product and CCF product were prepared by forecaster Mike McClure.
March 1999	During the week of March 15, the new Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) was installed at National Weather Service Quad Cities. AWIPS was the next generation computer workstation for the NWS and replaced the Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) computer work station. AFOS was not totally out of the picture until AWIPS was officially commissioned around the turn of the new century.
November 17, 1999	Warning and forecast responsibility for Scotland and Clark Counties in northeast Missouri transferred from NWS St. Louis to NWS Quad Cities, bringing the total number of counties covered by NWS Quad Cities to 36.
January 27, 2000	CRS commissioned.
March 27, 2000	AWIPS commissioned.
February 8, 2000	New NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter installed near Princeton, Illinois. Began broadcasting at 5:45 PM. This is the first of many expansion transmitters in our county warning area to be installed.
March 10, 2000	New NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter installed in West Burlington, Iowa. This transmitter is part of the Iowa Weather Radio expansion project.
March 28, 2000	New NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter installed near Fairfield, Iowa. This transmitter is part of the Iowa Weather Radio expansion project.
March 29, 2000	AFOS powered down for the last time.
April 25, 2000	New NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter installed near Medill, Missouri. This transmitter is part of the Iowa Weather Radio expansion project.
June 1, 2000	New NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter installed near Macomb, Illinois. This transmitter is part of the Iowa Weather Radio expansion project.
November 16, 2000	Zone Forecasts expanded from 5 days to 7 days.
October 2, 2001	New NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter installed near Maquoketa, Iowa. This transmitter is part of the Iowa Weather Radio expansion project.
October 4, 2001	New NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter installed near Freeport, Illinois, bringing the office total to 10 transmitters and county warning area coverage to near 100%.
January 1, 2002	First Digital (Numerical) Forecast issued by this office.
January 22, 2002	First Fire Weather Spot Forecast issued from this office.
May 1, 2002	First Graphical Forecasts posted to the internet by this office.
June 20, 2002	New computer voice (known as "Craig") first aired on the 10 NOAA Weather Radio stations operated from this office. Craig broadcast the tone alert test.
November 3, 2002	State of Illinois Cooperative Observer Appreciation Day.  NWS Offices in Chicago (LOT), Lincoln (ILX), and the Quad Cities (DVN) partnered with national, regional, and state officials to recognize the efforts and contributions of cooperative weather observers in Illinois.
February 24, 2003	Jim Belles begins as the new MIC of WFO Quad Cities.
May 9, 2003	First news conference hosted by WFO Quad Cities for tornado outbreak anticipated the next day.
June 19, 2003	Updated computer voice known as "Tom" first broadcast on 10 NOAA Weather Radio stations operated by NWS Quad Cities.
August 20, 2003	A 77 mph wind gust hit the northwest corner of the office at 7:01 PM, peeling back part of the roof.  Service backup was initiated for about 18 hours.
November 12, 2003	Inaugural meeting of Partners Committed to Excellence at the WFO.  This group of individuals represent a cross section of WFO partners an customers who provide key feedback for operations, planning, and improvement.
July 17, 2004	NWS Quad Cities recognized the efforts and contributions of area cooperative weather observers during a Cooperative Observer Appreciation Day picnic.
February 2, 2005	First Emergency Manager's Partner Workshop
June 16, 2005	Stephan Kuhl begins as the new MIC of WFO Quad Cities
October 15, 2005	First NWS Quad Cities Open House.  352 visitors signed in.
January 25, 2006	New NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter began broadcasting from Delaware County, Iowa.  This site is part of the Iowa Weather Radio Expansion Project, and is the 11th station with programming from the NWS Quad Cities office.
January 4, 2007	New Amateur Radio tower erected at our office, effectively doubling the range of direct ham radio communications from the office.
March 7, 2007	First Media Partners Workshop
April 23, 2007	NWS Quad Cites launched a local incident Support group to provide improved services to local incidents.
June 25, 2007	First Graphical Weather Story issued by NWS Quad Cities.
September 29, 2007	Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWB) Text Products discontinued.
October 1, 2007	Warnings issued by the National Weather Service shift from county-based to storm-based.  This means that the area warned is now defined by the individual storm rather than county or other political boundaries. NWS Quad Cities issued its first storm-based warnings on Oct. 2!
November 5, 2007	First official release of a weather balloon with a Global Positioning radiosonde at the office.  (Radiosonde Replacement System (RRS) was installed to upgrade upper air observing equipment during the previous weeks.)
February 21, 2008	NWS Quad Cities received a Bronze Recognition for Performance Excellence at the Iowa Governor's Recognition of Performance Excellence Celebration in Des Moines.  This award was approved by the Iowa Quality Center, and recognizes the office for successfully applying National Baldrige Quality Program Criteria to improve operations.
April 2008	NWS Quad Cities received the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award for Superior Federal Service during the Iowa City tornado outbreak of April 13, 2006.
April 2008	NWS Quad Cities received the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award for Superior Federal Service during the ice storm of Feb 23-25 and blizzard of March 1-2, 2007.
June 12, 2008	Through software upgrades, NWS Quad Cities Doppler radar (WSR88D) began providing Super Resolution radar data.
April 1, 2009	Severe thunderstorm warning criteria raised to quarter-sized hail (1 inch diameter).  (Wind criteria of 58 mph remains unchanged.)
May 10, 2011	NWS Quad Cities Facebook page goes live.
December 31, 2011	First Multimedia (Video) Briefing posted by NWS Quad Cities
March 24, 2012	Dual Polarization Radar. The Quad Cities' "Dual-Pol" radar upgrade added the ability to view both horizontal and vertical shapes of objects it detects.
Spring of 2012	Fischer-Porter automated rain gauges installed.  Accuracy improves from nearest 0.10 to 0.005 inches.  Good-bye to paper tapes.
August 7, 2012	NWS Quad Cities Twitter feed goes live.
October 21, 2014	Forecast staff officially increased from 9 to 10 forecasters.
May 11, 2016	Transition to using mixed-case text in official messages began.
June 15, 2016	New weather radio hardware (Broadcast Message Handler) and voice launched.
September 21, 2016	Old weather radio system (CRS) removed.
June 27-29, 2017	NWS office relocated to new facility on the Davenport Municipal Airport. During the 3-day move, backup offices provided full forecast and warning services and not a single upper air flight was missed.
June 28, 2017	First weather balloon flight with a new upper air system (RRS 1680 to Transitional Radiosonde Observing System (TROS) 403) and from new facility.
June 30, 2017	NWS resumes full operations at the new facility.
October 21, 2017	NWS Quad Cities hosts an open house with approximately 350 attendees. It is the first open house for the new facility.
August 10, 2020	Strong derecho impacts much of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois including NWS Quad Cities office. Winds were sustained around 80 MPH for about 30 minutes. Utility power was lost for several days, with the office and radar relying on generator backups.
September 13, 2021	NWS Quad Cities is awarded a joint NOAA Bronze Medal Award with the North Central River Forecast Center (NCRFC) for accurate warnings and service provided during the historic Mississippi River flooding in 2019.
February 25, 2022	MIC Stephan Kuhl retires after 17 years of service to WFO Quad Cities and a 30 year career with the NWS.
April 18, 2022	As part of the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), NWS Quad Cities radar pedestal is replaced to ensure longer term operation of the WSR-88D radar system. The upgrade takes 2 weeks to complete.
June 13, 2022	NWS Quad Cities deploys the GRAW Manual Radiosonde Observing System (MROS) as part of a nationwide NWS upper air system upgrade. This replaces the TROS system installed in 2017.
November 7, 2022	Ed Holicky begins as the new MIC of NWS Quad Cities.
March 5, 2024	NWS Quad Cities receives a NWS Director's Award for life-saving forecasts, watches, warnings and exceptional Decision Support Services during the Historic Tornado Outbreak of 31 March 2023.

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