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Whidbey Island Weather Keeps Navy Forecasters Busy
Story Number: NNS070328-17
Release Date: 3/28/2007 5:21:00 PM

Source: http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=28560

By Mass Communication Specialists 1st Class Bruce McVicar, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Northwest

WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (NNS) -- Aerographer’s mates (AG's) stationed at the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Facility (METOC) on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) were kept on their toes due to the Puget Sound’s constantly changing weather patterns, March 27.

“I’ve been in this rate observing and forecasting weather for 19 years,” said Aerographer Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Roger Trombetta. “Whidbey Island and the Mediterranean are by far the hardest places to forecast weather.”

Aerographer's mates are the Navy's meteorological and oceanographic experts; they collect, record and analyze weather and oceanographic information. They prepare up-to-date weather maps, issue weather forecasts and warnings and conduct weather or oceanographic briefings.

METOC Whidbey Island has two forecasters and nine technical observers who are responsible to provide information to 23 squadrons and the air station’s emergency operations center.

“I like the fast pace and knowing what’s going on weather-wise,” said Aerographer’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) Melissa Showers. “This is the most challenging duty station I’ve been at, because the weather is always changing.”

Puget Sound has 22 microclimates, dozens of islands and the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. According to the aerographer's mates this environmentally diverse area makes forecasting weather patterns difficult.

“There are arid areas east of the Cascades and rain forests in the Olympics which contribute to the inclement weather,” said Aerographer’s Mate 3rd Class Bryan Murray. “The weather is hard to forecast and observe, so you have to learn quickly here.”

Northwest winds become split by the Olympic Mountains, funnel through the straits of Juan De Fuca and the Chehalis Gap, hit the Cascade Mountains and compress over Seattle creating a convergence zone. This convergence zone creates active weather phenomena in the Pacific Northwest.

“I give pilots the latest updated weather reports,” said Aerographer’s Mate 2nd Class Seth Parsons. “I can tell them where the good weather is and where to avoid hazardous weather.”

Every Navy flight that takes off from the air station has a weather brief. An average of 30 briefs are given during any 24-hour period. Since the weather is always changing the briefs are constantly being updated.

“My job is to help pilots and aircraft get to their destination safely,” said Aerographer’s Mate 3rd Class (AW) Alberto Alejo. “This unit gives the pilots significant information about weather they may be facing during their mission.”

The aerographers acting as technical observers enter local weather data observations hourly into a system called Joint Air Force and Army Weather Information Network (JAAWIN). JAAWIN is a Web-based interface to access meteorological data including text observations, analyses, forecasts, and products tailored to specific purposes.

“My job is to collect hourly weather data and give it to the forecasters,” said Aerographer’s Mate 3rd Class Timothy Fleming. “The hardest part of my job is when the fog rolls in and everyone calls to ask when it will clear up.”

The METOC at Whidbey Island is one of 22 detachments in the continental United States. The parent command, Navy Aviation Forecasters Center, is located in Norfolk.

For more news from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, visit their Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/naswhidbey.