	Introduction

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), within the Department of Commerce. Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

The objectives of our review were to determine (1) what ASOS problems exist and how effectively NWS is resolving them, (2) the cost of resolving these problems, and (3) whether NWS’ plans for implementing ASOS make sense in light of these problems. If not caught and corrected by weather observers, these observations could adversely impact aviation operations, climate research, and the general public. To NWS’ credit, it has historically been effective at eventually resolving ASOS shortfalls in meeting specifications. Thus, promised capabilities have not been delivered on six of eight ASOS sensors. While NWS has recently started assessing these user concerns and plans to decide whether or not to enhance or supplement the system to address them, NWS’ track record in effectively resolving ASOS reported problems that it deems to be outside the scope of the specification is poor. NWS Has Yet to Decide How to Address User Concerns That ASOS, as Specified, Does Not Satisfy

In our 1994 report on how leading organizations improved mission performance through strategic management of information and technology, we reported that the success and value of a system is largely measured by the extent to which it meets users’ needs. However, ASOS does not meet this need. NWS does not have a complete estimate of what it will cost to address all user concerns with ASOS. While NWS plans for ensuring that ASOS meets user needs effectively involve ASOS’ aviation users, they do not ensure that other ASOS users will be adequately involved. Recommendations

Given the criticality of accurate and timely weather observations, we recommend that the Secretary of Commerce direct the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services to define and prioritize, in conjunction with ASOS’ users, all system corrections, enhancements, and supplements that must occur to meet valid user needs; reestimate ASOS’ costs in light of planned system corrections, enhancements, and supplements; formulate, in conjunction with ASOS users, explicit system performance and cost/benefit criteria governing the release of human observers; and certify to the Secretary that (1) the cost/benefit criteria have been satisfied before investing in ASOS corrections, enhancements, and supplements and (2) the system performance criteria have been satisfied before releasing human observers.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the National Weather Service's (NWS) Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), focusing on: (1) the extent to which NWS has addressed ASOS operational problems; (2) the costs of resolving these operational problems; and (3) whether NWS plans for enhancing ASOS are reasonable.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) six of the eight sensors in the ASOS system do not meet key performance specifications; (2) ASOS shortfalls are caused by contractor failure to deliver products that meet specifications and government failure to furnish sufficient equipment; (3) ASOS reliability problems surfaced after deployment because NWS did not perform reliability testing prior to deployment; (4) NWS does not have adequate personnel or integrated information systems for it to isolate and correct ASOS failures at Federal Aviation Administration sites; (5) ASOS does not satisfy the weather observation needs of many users; (6) ASOS users state that incorrect ASOS observations could risk aviation efficiency and safety, and skew national climate research; (7) in March 1995, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) resumed the commissioning of observers on the basis of expected system and equipment improvements; (8) although NWS has recently begun to recognize user needs that go beyond ASOS specifications, it has not yet determined how it will enhance or supplement ASOS to address user needs; (9) NWS cannot reliably assess whether system enhancements will continue to be cost beneficial without a complete cost estimate; (10) ASOS problems have delayed NWS plans for releasing human weather observers; and (11) although ASOS officials stated that user needs will be met before observers are released, NWS does not have a strategy to ensure that the information needs of all users will be met.