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Heat Continues for the East and South-Central U.S.; Strong to Severe Storms Across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

The extremely dangerous heat wave continues across the East Coast and much of the South-Central U.S. today. Record high temperatures are expected for some areas especially across the Mid-Atlantic where extreme heat risk conditions reside. There is a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) of severe thunderstorms today for the northern Mid-Atlantic into portions of southern New England. Read More >

NOAA Weather Wire Service

National Program

NWWS FAQ

Weather.gov > NOAA Weather Wire Service > NWWS FAQ

 

  1. Why should I use the NOAA Weather Wire Service (NWWS)?

    NWWS is the fastest method to receive text alerts, warnings, advisories, and weather information from the National Weather Service (NWS) within 10 seconds of when the texts are issued.
     

    (For Broadcasters) NWWS is one of two NWS dissemination systems that can activate the local Emergency Alert System (EAS). NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is the other system.

  2. How can NWWS products be received?
     

    SATELLITE: NWWS product stream is available over NWS Satellite Broadcast Network (SBN/NOAAPORT) Channel 201 using a 1.8m or above satellite dish and receiver configuration; and

    INTERNET: NWWS product stream is available over the “Open Interface” (NWWS-OI); requiring user_ID and password issued by NWS and an XML / XMPP software client reader (either developed or commercially purchased).
     

    NOTE: All NWS products can be received via the Internet via FTP and over the SBN/NOAAPORT Channels 101-108.

    See Product Dissemination (https://www.weather.gov/NWWS/dissemination for additional alerts and warnings dissemination methods available to the public.


  3. What do I need to receive the NWWS product stream?
     

    All Users are recommended to use both SBN/NOAAPORT Channel 201 via 1.2m dish or greater, with a low noise band filter, and satellite receiver unit, and the NWWS Open Interface (NWWS-OI) via the Internet for high product availability using a NWS issued user_ID and password through an XML/XMPP client (developed of purchased commercially).
     

    See User System Requirements (https://www.weather.gov/NWWS/) for hardware and software requirements.
     
  4. What are the NWWS product formats? 
     

    NWWS products start as text-based messages using the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standard format (https://www.weather.gov/tg/head/). Most NWS dissemination methods leave the NWWS product format unchanged. However, the NWWS-OI is in XML/XMPP format allowing all identified users to access the product stream via a one-way chatroom based on a XMPP client.


    See https://xmpp.org/software/clients.html.

    See Product Dissemination (https://www.weather.gov/NWWS) for additional methods and formats.
     

  5. What is the history of NWWS?
     

    The 75 word per minute NWWS landline system was discontinued on October 11, 1989. The first computer system was developed by ConTel ASC in 1989. ConTel merged with GTE in 1991. The latest NWWS system was designed, developed, and leased from Computer Science Corporation (CSC) from 1999 to 2015.

     

    The current NWS enterprise solution became operational July 1, 2015.
     

  6. When will CAPv1.2 be available?
     

    Common Alert Protocol (CAP) version 1.2 is available experimentally. It's currently a WMO header wrapped message on SBN/NOAAPORT PID 101-108 only.
     

    XOAK57KWBC XOAK58KWBC XOAK59KWBC XOCA52KWBC XOGM50KWBC XOHWKWBC
    XOUS51KWBC XOUS52KWBC XOUS53KWBC XOUS54KWBC XOUS55KWBC XOUS56KWBC
    XOXX55KWBC XOZS50KWBC        

     

    Additional development is in process to place CAP v1.2 on https://alerts.weather.gov. Implementation Date - TBD

    More information on CAP v1.2 can be found at http://docs.oasis-open.org/emergency/cap/v1.2/CAP-v1.2.html
     

  7. If I cannot receive NWWS by the methods indicated, what other methods are available to receive weather alerts?
     

    NWWS products are also available over the Internet via NWS anonymous FTP, via NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR), telephone, pager, and via commercial provider(s).

    See Product Dissemination (https://www.weather.gov/NWWS) for additional methods and formats.
     

  8. What do I do when my NWWS connection will not re-establish?
     

    PROBLEM:  If you did not completely exit the XMPP program before shutting down, a “phantom” account will continue to exist.  This “phantom” account will prevent you logging into the NWWS-OI. 

    Do not ask for account reset.

    RECOMMENDED SOLUTION: Empty the cache and then log back in using the assigned user_ID and password.


    Check the NWWS webpage for “OPERATIONAL” status and any updates or notifications.

    Re-set/re-start your software.

    Re-start your system.

    E-mail any continued issue to NWWS.Issue@noaa.gov
     
  9. What do I do when I log in and I do not get any products?

    The cache or storage directory is full and will have to be cleared, purged or re-located to allow sufficient space for new products.

    If you login using an “alias,” it may be interfering with the account identification.  Remove the “alias” nickname and check to see if the problem is resolved.  If the problem persists, contact the NWWS Program Office.
     
  10. What do I do if I’m caught in a virtual “bubble”?

    Sometimes immediately following a transition, a virtual chatroom “bubble” containing a small number of users (having also automatically connected) is created.  Products appear to come in timely and no issues have been raised whenever this situation has occurred.  NWS is looking into the cause and potential risks.  Currently, NWS cannot verify product dissemination (assumption is product distribution is equal).  Resetting or restarting the software or system will re-align the user’s account to the main NWWS-OI chatroom.
     
  11. Is there an End User Client (EUC) or EUC update available?

    NWS originally developed an EUC for Windows 7 and Windows 8.  A NWS EUC is no longer available to the public due to distribution file size issue(s). Other than developing your own software, a commercial XMPP reader is available.

  12. What happens if I do not completely exit the XMPP program before shutting down?
    A “phantom” account will continue to exist virtually.  This “phantom” account will prevent you logging into the NWWS-OI the next time the software is opened up.

    STEPS TO CORRECT
    • Do not request an account reset.
    • Empty the cache after system start up and before starting the NWWS-OI software,
    • Start up the NWWS-OI software after the cache is emptied, and then
    • Log back in using the assigned NWWS-OI user_ID and password
  13. What happens if I am missing a particular product?

    Verify that your software is filtering correctly and the product name is correct. If so, check with the WFO to verify the product was sent to NWWS. If so, check with the NWWS Program Office to see if the product was correctly sent to the Open Interface.
     
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