Accelerating the NWS Transformation | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Official websites use .gov .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS lock ) or means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The National Weather Service is transforming to better protect and serve communities by focusing on the people of NWS, improvements to infrastructure, and advancing the agency to meet the future. When Ken Graham began his tenure as the National Weather Service (NWS) Director in 2022, his conversations with employees led to "Ken's 10," a set of ten initiatives designed to move the NWS towards being more nimble, flexible, and mobile, sitting eye-to-eye with decision makers. Building on this, the NWS launched the next phase of Ken's 10 to further accelerate this transformation, keeping its people and improved systems at the forefront of its efforts. Supporting Our Team Our people are at the heart of our mission. We are prioritizing hiring and retaining top talent to ensure we have the best team in place to best meet the agency’s mission of saving lives, protecting property, and enhancing the national economy. Hiring: We are making it easier and faster to bring in new team members, with a focus on filling critical roles to keep our services running smoothly. Relocation Support: We are working to simplify the process and standardize costs for employees who need to move for their jobs. This will create cost savings to help us fill important vacancies in our field offices. Modernizing Our Technology We are upgrading our current systems to provide earlier and more accurate warnings for severe weather events. Next Generation Radars: To stay at the forefront of weather monitoring, we are moving towards advanced radar technology. NOAA Weather Radio: We are using satellite and cloud-based technologies to improve how we deliver life-saving warnings and data. Warning Systems: To ensure all communities receive timely warnings, we are enhancing our systems, including Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), web, and mobile apps. Leveraging New Technologies Integrating new tools is key to making our forecasts faster and more detailed. Cloud Computing: Using the cloud allows our forecasters to work more flexibly and better collaborate with partners. Observing Systems: We are improving the reliability of our data collection by using commercial data, updating our upper air and oceanic systems, and modernizing volunteer and local weather observation programs. Leading Weather Prediction: We are striving to be the world leader in numerical weather modeling by advancing our models and data analysis and using Artificial Intelligence. Shaping the NWS for the Future We are changing our structure and operations to move the agency forward. Transformation: We are ensuring our offices have the resources for 24/7 operations, adopting a unified approach to emergencies, and embedding staff with partners to provide better support during high-impact weather. We are also updating our operational model to focus on providing support before, during, and after severe weather events. Training : Our internal and external training programs are being reimagined, including foundational courses for new forecasters and specialized training for future roles. We are also offering management training before employees step into leadership positions. Our Commitment to You The updated Ken's 10 builds upon the successes of the original "NWS Priorities & Action Strategies for the Future - Ken's 10," representing a renewed commitment to transforming the National Weather Service. This transformation will strengthen our agency, enhance our vital mission to the nation, and pave the way for future advancements in protecting lives and property.