NWS website redesign

[Zach]

They really need to fix the icons on the new layout for the relaunch because resizing them just blurs them.

[WeatherWitness]

They really need to fix the icons on the new layout for the relaunch because resizing them just blurs them.

I know, I totally agree with you Zach.  Unfortunately, I don't think the NWS, or the general public for that matter, cares much about this, so it probably won't happen.   To me, it looks like they made them a little better than before, but they are still very pixelated.

As far as the transition of all pages to the new design, I somehow feel that it's going to be a very slow process.  And it's possible that some of the pages may never recieve the new update.  Just look at weather.com.  When was the last time they updated their "Monthly" page?

We shall see about all of this come July 2...

[beanboy89]

Looks like they've redesigned the redesign from the last time that I checked it.  Looks like they've moved some things around and have re-added the Google Maps point forecast map compared to the previous version of this preview. I like it; it finally brings the weather.gov site into this millennium.

[TWCToday]

So is the new design just going to be for the forecasts and will revert back to the old layout for any local NWS office data?

[Eric]

So is the new design just going to be for the forecasts and will revert back to the old layout for any local NWS office data?

So far I haven't even seen a hint of the new design anywhere except for the forecasts.  But it's still very early.  Maybe other NWS pages will be upgraded if the new design is a success.  But let's also keep in mind that the NWS isn't exactly awash with cash, and there's always the threat of budget cuts, so I'd rather they spend what money they do have on what really matters.  If they have a little left over, they can redesign their webpages, but they shouldn't make it a top priority.

[WeatherWitness]

The NWS has officially launched their new design, but as predicted, it is only for the main weather.gov page and the forecast pages at this point (from what I can see).  Right now, a lot of links seem to be broken on the forecast pages.  I know this is always a problem when launching a new website design, but hopefully they will be fixed soon.

Also, I am noticing on the forums that none of the weather observations are working.  Could this be a result of their new website design (b/c I know the information comes from the NWS)?

[TWCToday]

The NWS has officially launched their new design, but as predicted, it is only for the main weather.gov page and the forecast pages at this point (from what I can see).  Right now, a lot of links seem to be broken on the forecast pages.  I know this is always a problem when launching a new website design, but hopefully they will be fixed soon.

Also, I am noticing on the forums that none of the weather observations are working.  Could this be a result of their new website design (b/c I know the information comes from the NWS)?

Its a big job and I'm not annoyed with the issues but you would think after months and months of the "preview" status they would have worked the bugs out.

This for example is just dumb. The homage of the NWS/Weather.gov shows the big map with all the warnings that we are used to. To get your area you have to go from the new layout to the old layout and then back to the new layout. 

[phw115wvwx]

I'm going to clear up some things here.  This redesign was only for weather.gov alone.  The other NWS sites are on separate servers and domains, so they can't be changed right away.  Everything always takes a long time for many reasons, including feedback and testing along with final approval from national headquarters.  You all need to check the link I placed below and read what the bigger picture is on this whole redesign project.  What you're seeing is simply the first phase, but it's going to take a while for everything to take shape:

http://www.weather.gov/redesign

[TWCToday]

I'm going to clear up some things here.  This redesign was only for weather.gov alone.  The other NWS sites are on separate servers and domains, so they can't be changed right away.  Everything always takes a long time for many reasons, including feedback and testing along with final approval from national headquarters.  You all need to check the link I placed below and read what the bigger picture is on this whole redesign project.  What you're seeing is simply the first phase, but it's going to take a while for everything to take shape:

http://www.weather.gov/redesign

Sure I get that but why stretch it out? Why not just wait until everyone is caught up or ready to start updating? It seems confusing from a user point of view to have these drastic changes in layout just when navigating the site.

At the very least make it so that you only get to the old layout if you specifically want to get more info from the forecast office. Like I said before, to see one of the advisories on the the map located at weather.gov you have to go from then new layout, to the old one, to the new one. Surely they could find a way to make it smoother.

[phw115wvwx]

At the very least make it so that you only get to the old layout if you specifically want to get more info from the forecast office. Like I said before, to see one of the advisories on the the map located at weather.gov you have to go from then new layout, to the old one, to the new one. Surely they could find a way to make it smoother.

Unfortunately, you're going from a national server (weather.gov) to a regional server hosting your local forecast office's website (erh.noaa.gov in your case) back to the national server (forecast.weather.gov).  These servers are in very different places around the country.  I get the feeling they still want to see how well the new layout is perceived before proceeding with the next phase, and budgeting is probably another reason why things are slow.

[Mr. Rainman]

BUMP

Haven't seen it in other offices, but quite a few NWS offices along the East Coast are slowly transitioning into a more modern office homepage.

[Mr. Rainman]

BUMP again.

The National Climatic Data Center has now changed designs.

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/

[Lightning]

I wish it was where the forum members' current weather conditions where they lived could be put back on the members' posts.

[Mr. Rainman]

The National Weather Service website? I think you've got your URLs switched up. 

[WeatherWitness]

I wish it was where the forum members' current weather conditions where they lived could be put back on the members' posts.

If you are referring to this forum, the issue has already been brought up in the past, and there's currently nothing we can do about it.  I encourage you to look at this topic.