The National Weather Service

There's a major snowstorm raging as we speak... The Denver Post's website reads:

"Blizzard Paralyzes State
A dangerous blizzard blew into Colorado early this morning, shutting down cities, schools, Denver International Airport and the state's three Interstate highways from Denver east to Kansas and Nebraska and south to New Mexico. Even the U.S. Postal Service shut down early in the afternoon. Gov. Bill Owens declared the storm a disaster emergency and activated the National Guard to assist emergency workers."

Read the full article online...

According to the National Weather Service, we should expect 10 inches in low-lying parts of the metro area and as much as 20 inches in the foothills.

So what is the National Weather Service?

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is part of the Department of Commerce.

According to its website the National Weather Service "provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database and infrastructure which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public, and the global community."

Read more about the NWS.

Check out the Organization page to look at maps of weather forecast centers, river forecast centers, and aviation center weather centers as well as a list of NWS offices and centers by region and state.

Visit the Weather Education page for links to classroom teaching materials, photos and images, a weather glossary and bibliography, and to learn about weather-related careers.

Also, check out the Government Publications Library Weather and Climate subject guide.