Letter to Dr. Louis Uccellini, Assistant Administrator for Weather Services and Director, National Weather Service, NOAA - Measure D.C. Snowfall Totals in D.C., Not Reagan National Airport

Letter

Dear Assistant Administrator Uccellini:

At a recent District of Columbia Council hearing on weather preparedness, the location of the National Weather Service's (NWS) official snowfall-measuring site for the District was discussed. As you are aware, NWS uses snowfall measurements at Ronald Reagan National Airport (National Airport). The airport is not located in the District and the snowfall amounts do not always reflect the actual snowfall within the District. This is a city of nearly 700,000 residents. Therefore, the NWS needs to find an official snowfall-measuring site located within D.C.

I understand that NWS has used National Airport because it already has dedicated weather observers 24/7 and that NWS needs trained staff dedicated to observing snow during snow events. However, almost all of D.C. gets more snow, and thus has higher snow measurements, than National Airport. Accurate snow measurements are not only important for weather tracking, but also for weather preparedness and weather response. The president declared D.C. a major disaster after January's snowstorm, but in applying for federal disaster aid, D.C. had to use snow measurements from Dalecarlia Reservoir, which are far more accurate than snow measurements at National Airport.

I ask that you work with my office and D.C. officials to find a location within D.C. for official snow measurements by NWS. I am certain that you will be able to find many suitable sites -- whether federally-owned or city-owned -- where trained, dedicated staff can be onsite 24/7 to take snow measurements. Potential sites include the White House, the U.S. Naval Observatory, the National Arboretum, or Dalecarlia Reservoir. Please respond within 30 days with a plan for engaging with my office and the city.

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