NOAA Magazine NOAA Home Page

NOAA's NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE UNVEILS NEW AND IMPROVED WEB DESIGN

March 1, 2002 — NOAA's National Weather Service Internet home page has a new look. The new design is the first phase of what will become an entirely new corporate Web image.

According to officials, the new design goes beyond a simple face lift and allows users easier access to forecast products and services. The new graphical interface guides users through highlighted National Weather Service products, such as weather warnings and forecasts.

"The new corporate Web image will provide easier access to the huge number of NWS products and services for the public, with a specific focus on not requiring the public to understand NWS' bureaucratic structure," said Matt Strahan, implementation leader for the NWS Corporate Web Image Team. "It also has a strong focus on the rapid dissemination of our watches, warnings, and advisories."

This first phase introduces a new top banner and menu style. The second phase will include the deployment of a common set of graphics for weather watches, warnings and advisories. Also scheduled for phase two is a common, NWS-wide local forecast tool, which is searchable by city, state or zip code. The local forecast tool was successfully demonstrated to President George Bush when he visited NWS headquarters on February 14, 2002. NWS-wide implementation of the second phase is planned for April 2002. Click here to see a preview page of all the coming functionality.

According to Peter Weiss, NWS Headquarters Strategic Planning and Policy Office, more than 1,300 comments on the NWS' new Web design were received during a two-month public comment period, December 30 through February 28. While overwhelmingly positive, many included concrete suggestions for improvement. A number of significant technical issues regarding Web browser compatibility, load speeds, and information accessibility were raised and incorporated into the final design.

Features of the National Weather Service Web redesign include consistency in its graphical presentation, quick navigation to important product information and compliance with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) designed to ensure maximum access to individuals with disabilities.

The new Web design received the NOAATECH 2002 award for IT accessibility.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Weather Service

NOAA's Weather Page

NOAA's Storm Watch

Media Contact:
Curtis Carey, NOAA's National Weather Service, (301) 713-0622

 

-end-