NESDIS satellite operations and product processing remain fully operational throughout blizzard.

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In spite of massive mounds of snow and the Federal Government being closed because of a one-two punch from Mother Nature, NESDIS satellite operations and product processing personnel delivered top notch service around the clock! Here are some highlights:

• All of our 24/7 operations of NOAA satellites and the associated processing of data continued uninterrupted from Friday evening with no staffing issues in our operation centers at the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility in Suitland, Maryland; the World Weather Building in Camp Springs, Maryland; and the Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station in Wallops, Virginia.
• Some crew members ended up staying at their respective operation centers or nearby hotels to avoid driving in the hazardous weather conditions, or to cover staffing shortages.
• Both our government and contract staff demonstrated extreme dedication to duty and worked together to ensure our operations were adequately staffed and all of our critical operations continued uninterrupted. Due to their dedication, NESDIS provided normal delivery of all data and products to the National Weather Service and other users.

In addition to the delivery of automated products, our Satellite Analysis Branch:

• Provided satellite precipitation estimates used to determine potential snowfall in the mid-Atlantic, as well as flooding in California
• Issued position and intensity bulletins for three South Pacific typhoons
• Issued a volcanic ash advisory for a major eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano in Montserrat

Mary Kicza, Assistant Administrator of NOAA Satellite and Information Service issued a "Hearty Thank You" to the dedicated NESDIS team in Suitland, Maryland; Camp Springs, Maryland; and Wallops Island, Virginia. "We know our team in Fairbanks, Alaska, deal with 55 inches of snow routinely," said Kicza. "But for those of us located within the Metropolitan Washington, DC area, this past week was tremendous. Let me extend our heartfelt appreciation for everyone who worked through the inclement weather-both at work and at home-to deliver the excellent service NESDIS is known to provide."