The surface network plan

In mid-1969 the Deputy Director of NOAA (ESSA) requested the National Weather Service (Weather Bureau) to prepare a plan for the surface observing network. This plan would determine requirements for observations, propose an observational configuration to meet these requirements economically, identify areas in which existing or future networks fail to meet these needs, and recommend those changes in the network which would lead to fulfillment of the above goals. From this plan one could determine upon short notice, the necessity for establishing a new station and/or the importance of continuing an existing program. The latter became important because of the need to maintain observations in the wake of possible retrenchments in observing programs operated by the FAA. The surface network plan was to be based to the maximum degree on objective criteria.