dssrequest

National Weather Service Large Outdoor Weather Event Support

FOR OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT ONLY

NWS Outdoor Weather Event Support Training Video

Weather plays a crucial role to the safety of thousands of patrons, vendors, organizers, and participants at hundreds of outdoor venues annually across Maine and New Hampshire. As resources allow, the NWS can work with Emergency Managers (EMs) to provide Impact based Decision Support Services (IDSS) in order to help support public safety for large events. Hazards include thunderstorms, heat, cold, strong winds, snow/ice, and/or flooding. NWS weather support is designed for those events that as an EM you feel are particularly vulnerable to weather due to location, size, or nature of the event. To assist EM’s this support is broken into 3 tiers: Education, Planning, and Event Day Monitoring.

Education (Tier 1): Work with the NWS in Gray well ahead of the event to learn and understand the weather threats. In addition, provide training on the tools and services provided by the NWS that can assist you before and during your event. Some educational services that can be provided:

Lightning Safety Talks
NWS Products and Tools Overview
Understanding the Weather Threats of Maine & New Hampshire

Planning (Tier 2): Develop a safety plan that includes real-time weather monitoring and safety/evacuation plans. The NWS in Gray can assist with input relating to monitoring tools and weather safety.

Table-Top Weather Exercise
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-toolkits

Event Day Monitoring (Tier 3): If Tiers I and II have been successfully implemented, Event Day Monitoring will be initiated by the EM and/or their designee. This should include ways to monitor NWS warnings and other relevant products including radar/lightning data. For large events (>10,000 attendance) the NWS may be able to supplement Event Day Monitoring by providing additional information directly to the EM or EOC. However it should be noted that resources may not always be available as our first priority on severe weather days is to issue warnings. If Event Day Monitoring is requested and can be supported the following services can be provided:

The NWS will contact the event EM and coordinate support via the received request form
Planning Forecast (Phone or Impact Forecast Matrix)
Meteorological watch and event EM notification of threatening weather
On-site meteorological support for major outdoor events