Inter-Regional Integrated Services Data Base (IRISdb) Paul Flatt Warning Coordination Meteorologist WFO Boise, Idaho 8/16/20151

IRISdb is an agency-wide database foundation for managing all aspects of partner and customer information at the local, regional, and national levels. IRISdb is a GIS enabled Relational Database and the Enterprise Architecture needed to populate, update, and retrieve the data in the database. IRISdb - Vision

IRISdb – Background Each NWS Unit collects contact information and customer needs in a format that works best with the Unit’s technical abilities. Each NWS Unit collects contact information and customer needs in a format that works best with the Unit’s technical abilities. –Some WFOs with great technical abilities have a database (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSAccess, etc.) with a web interface. –Some WFOs have Excel spreadsheet, MSWord files, embedded in contact information in Outlook, etc., and print the data when it changes Today

Two WFOs using the same method is either rare or non-existent. Two WFOs using the same method is either rare or non-existent. For backup purposes, sharing information is difficult. For backup purposes, sharing information is difficult. –Even when contact information is shared on a regular basis, it is rarely if ever done on a real time basis. Today IRISdb – Background

Duplication of effort to provide applications that store and display information in each unit. Duplication of effort to provide applications that store and display information in each unit. Information is not efficiently shared laterally (WFO to backup WFO), or vertically (WFO to Region, Region to HQ). Information is not efficiently shared laterally (WFO to backup WFO), or vertically (WFO to Region, Region to HQ). HQ is not aware of the many customer needs at the local WFO level HQ is not aware of the many customer needs at the local WFO level Backup WFOs do not have critical customer needs information in real time. Backup WFOs do not have critical customer needs information in real time. IRISdb – Without a common platform…

IRISdb – How did we get here StormLog (Eric Lenning WFO LOT) StormLog (Eric Lenning WFO LOT) –A web (map based) display of spotters and other emergency contacts from a MySQL database. Panda (Mike Seaman WFO SLC) Panda (Mike Seaman WFO SLC) –A web display of spotter reports and warnings issued. Not map based, only data entry and instant verification of warnings.

StormLog and Panda - The underlying data was identical, how it was stored was not compatible. (spotters, events) StormLog and Panda - The underlying data was identical, how it was stored was not compatible. (spotters, events) A small team was formed to integrate these two programs into one WFO neutral program, first called StormLog1. A small team was formed to integrate these two programs into one WFO neutral program, first called StormLog1. IRISdb – How did we get here

Searching for other solutions to the “contact” database problem, SevereClear is noted as a related application Searching for other solutions to the “contact” database problem, SevereClear is noted as a related application IRISdb – How did we get here

IRISdb – Common Data Storage IRISdb SevereClear Panda StormLog Other Future Apps HQ Customer Contacts

PostgreSQL database (v8.2 or greater) PostgreSQL database (v8.2 or greater) –With PostGIS capabilities Server will be located in every location that has data to manage (every WFO, each Region, each division in HQ, etc.). Server will be located in every location that has data to manage (every WFO, each Region, each division in HQ, etc.). Data is shared on an as needed basis through Java EE technology. Data is shared on an as needed basis through Java EE technology. IRISdb – Technical D IRISdb – What is it?

Contact information (name, phone, , address (geocoded), interests) for… Contact information (name, phone, , address (geocoded), interests) for… –Spotters –Emergency Managers –Transportation Department Officials –Media –Other customer contacts (HQ customers, Regional contacts, RFC contacts, etc.) IRISdb – What is in it?

Customer decision support information. Customer decision support information. –e.g. Transportation Department interest in notification of sub-warning snow amounts. County officials in need of QPF estimates ahead of a rain event. Real-time preliminary verification information. Real-time preliminary verification information. IRISdb – What is in it?

Tracking public events (e.g. Boston Marathon) that could have a serious life safety threat from adverse weather. Tracking public events (e.g. Boston Marathon) that could have a serious life safety threat from adverse weather. Track outreach events sponsored by all levels of the NWS. (NOEES) Track outreach events sponsored by all levels of the NWS. (NOEES) Tracking Fire Weather IMET dispatches Tracking Fire Weather IMET dispatches IRISdb – What is in it?

IRIS Application: StormLog Report Interface (with Google Maps) 14

IRIS Application: Fire Weather IMET Dispatches

IRIS Application: Exporting Spot Forecast Requests to Google Earth Pro 16

IRIS Application: Customer sub warning weather concerns

IRISdb – The Foundation that links Projects IRISdb holds that data that can be used by many diverse projects IRISdb holds that data that can be used by many diverse projects SevereClear SevereClear RIDGE RIDGE WWA Maps on office webpages WWA Maps on office webpages StormData reporting StormData reporting AHPS AHPS Others? Others? Provide consistent geographic data for each project Provide consistent geographic data for each project Leverage our investment in time, money, training Leverage our investment in time, money, training Re-use code and tools instead of re-inventing Re-use code and tools instead of re-inventing 18

19 Improved partnerships and better coordination With sister agencies in NOAA, plus other Federal, state, and local agencies. With research community and private sector. Improved services focused on customer needs Tracks specific needs of (and interactions with) those affected by our services. Provides collective picture of service requirements for agency as a whole. Improved observations Greater accuracy of storm reports contributes to nation’s climate record. Verification of Polygon Warnings for improved performance measures. Datasets can support research into a wide variety of weather effects. IRISdb and the Strategic Plan

Partner/Customer Feedback & Needs Information OCWWS/CIO Q&A System Contacts (EMs, private sector, academia, Government, Int’l) Weather Spotters/Reports WCM Interactions & Outreach Critical Impacts and Uncertainty Thresholds NWS Customer Relationship Fragmentation Drowning in Data, Starved for Information Today - Across NWS Offices Basic type of data collected is identical The Format of the data is highly variable (e.g., MySQL, Excel, Word, Access, GIS, etc.) Access and usage of the data is restricted Level of documentation is poor What is the Impact Unequal sharing of information – Keeping some units in the dark Limitations in situational awareness Tenuous connection of user needs, feedback, and impact information between HQ and field Degraded support during office backup Difficult to measure inclusiveness with stakeholders

IRISdb Brings It All Together IRISdb Storm Reports Geographic Information Customer Needs Weather- Sensitive Events Training Outreach Activities Business Information Customer Satisfaction 21

IRISdb – Developed outside AWIPS Is directly transportable into AWIPS2 

Questions? IRISdb – Brings it all together