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21st Century Operations Using 21st Century Technologies
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Collaboration Across the Road Weather Enterprise: The Pathfinder Project

APPENDIX C. EXAMPLES OF SHARED IMPACT MESSAGES

The following example is from Wyoming, using the December 24-25 winter event.

NWSCHAT LOG FOR DECEMBER 23, 2014

Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Meteorologist: It's looking more and more like there will be significant travel concerns across much of the state on Thursday. We should think about having a conference call some time tomorrow (Wed) to discuss greatest impact areas on I-80 for Pathfinder purposes. It looks like WYDOT will have plenty of space on Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) tomorrow for some weather-text.

National Weather Service (NWS) Riverton, Wyoming (RIW)-office (name protected): Sounds good on this end. Looks very interesting!

NWS-Cheyenne, Wyoming (CYS)-office (name protected): Hi WYDOT, will pass on to rest of crew for tomorrow.

WYDOT Meteorologist: Okay, thank you. I'll probably be in contact with everyone to coordinate more formal conversation tomorrow.

NWS-Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC)-office (name protected): Sounds good here at SLC.

This photo is from the US NWS Cheyenne Wyoming Facebook. It reads "Traveling for Christmas? Here's a quick briefing about the upcoming wind and snow." It then shows a video of a weather forecast titled, "Hazardous Weather Briefing: Christmas 2014".

Figure 13. Photo. National Weather Service Image Shared via Facebook, 12/23/14.
(Source: National Weather Service Cheyenne Wyoming Facebook Page)

This photo is from the US NWS Cheyenne Wyoming twitter. It reads "Traveling for Christmas? Here's a quick briefing about the upcoming wind and snow." It then shows a video of a weather forecast titled, "Hazardous Weather Briefing: Christmas 2014".

Figure 14. Photo. National Weather Service Image Shared via Twitter, 12/23/14.
(Source: National Weather Service Cheyenne Twitter Account)

NWSCHAT LOG FOR DECEMBER 24, 2014

WYDOT Meteorologist: Okay, I'm adding a little more stress to the blowing snow and low visibility potential for road conditions. TMC currently has DMS signs updated for all of I-80, but also in sections where there are watches/warnings for I-25 and I-90. Those signs will stay up until road conditions start deteriorating. Let's hope people pay attention and get all their traveling in before tomorrow.

NWS-RIW-office (name protected):Absolutely! It sounds like we're all on the same page.

NWS-SLC-office (name protected): WYDOT, for Uinta Co., we are expecting the most significant impacts to occur in the 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. window Thursday evening/night, with and behind the backdoor front. Impacts will likely begin to materialize tomorrow morning with the initial frontal passage, but not to the same extent. Have issued a YouTube briefing discussing travel impacts and storm total snow graphics to go alone with the Winter Storm Warning in place. Please let us know if you would like us to add additional messaging regarding I-80. Thanks!

This photo is of a neon sign from the Wyoming DOT Traffic Management Center. The sign reads "winter weather hazardous conditions thurs 5 am - 11 pm."

Figure 15. Photo. Wyoming Department of Transportation Traffic Management Center Dynamic Message Sign Updated 12/24/25.
(Source: Wyoming Department of Transportation)

This photo is of a NWS graphic that shows a map of the Wyoming Christmas weather with snow and cold front predictions.

Figure 16. Photo. National Weather Service Graphic (1) for Expected Christmas Event.
(Source: National Weather Service)

This photo is of a NWS graphic stating, "Strong Winds on Christmas Eve" with a map and and an image of wind turbines

Figure 17. Photo. National Weather Service Graphic (2) for Expected Christmas Event.
(Source: National Weather Service)

This is a chart of what to expect from the NWS for the Christmas Winter Event. It warns citizens to expect strong wind gusts in Arlington, Bordeaux, and Summit in Wyoming on Christmas Eve. The impacts are high profile vehicles and light trailers.

Figure 18. Chart. National Weather Service Graphic (3) for Expected Christmas Event.
(Source: National Weather Service)

This photo is of a NWS graphic for the expected Christmas weather event in Wyoming. It warns viewers to minimize travel and plan accordingly to avoid hazardous travel. It also advises that if travel is necessary, viewers should keep a disaster supplies kit in their vehicle and lists the supply kit items that should be included.

Figure 19. Photo. National Weather Service Graphic (4) for Expected Christmas Winter Event.
(Source: National Weather Service)

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