CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 27th Special Operations Support Squadron weather flight, along with the 25th Operational Weather Squadron, is responsible for providing accurate and timely environmental situational awareness to the 27th Special Operations Wing here.
Commanders and operators at every level rely on this critical information to make informed decisions regarding base operations.
All military installations have specific weather watches, warnings and advisories to meet the unique mission and weather limiting thresholds of assets and functions.
A weather watch is defined as: A special notice provided to supported customers that alerts them of a potential for weather conditions of such intensity as to pose a hazard to life or property for which the customer must take protective action.
A weather advisory is defined as: A special notice provided to a supported agency when an established weather condition that could affect its operation is occurring or is expected to occur.
And a weather warning is defined as: A special notice provided to a supported agency when an established weather condition of such intensity as to affect operations, pose a hazard to life or property and requires protective action, is occurring or is expected to occur.
For years the 27 SOSS has provided unwavering support to the 27 SOW with forecasted watches, forecasted warnings, observed warnings, forecasted advisories and observed advisories. All forecasted watches, warnings and advisories previously had desired lead times that needed to be met prior to becoming valid.
After extensive debate, more efficient and effective procedures have been approved by the wing and signed by Col. Tony Bauernfeind, 27 SOW commander.
With the latest streamlined process in place, the base weather flight will issue advisories and warnings when they are observed or imminent. There will be no more lead times or valid times on the weather warning and advisory notifications base personnel receive; they will be issued when conditions are occurring or a likely to occur in the very near future and will be valid until further notice.
Emphasis will now be on weather watches to provide lead time for potential adverse weather. Furthermore, watches will have a minimum lead time of at least 30 minutes.
If there are any questions or concerns regarding these changes, feel free to contact the weather flight at 575-784-2748.