GSL 2021-2031 Strategic Plan

GSL Strategic Plan 2021-2031.pdf (Download)

Message from our Director

As one of NOAA’s premier research laboratories, the Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) has a history of successfully transitioning atmospheric research into advanced products and services for weather operations. GSL is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. GSL has five divisions that focus on advanced technologies, decision support services, model development, innovative data assimilation and verification techniques, and high-performance computing.

NOAA’s long-term goal of a “Weather-Ready Nation” drives GSL’s preeminent weather research and development portfolio. Our tagline is ‘forecast systems that deliver solutions.” GSL delivers innovative research to provide the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) and the public with increasingly accurate, rapidly updating environmental models to save lives and property. GSL’s work to develop state-of-the-art decision support and data-delivery tools helps inform the public so they are more resilient to high-impact weather. Finally, GSL’s cutting-edge visualization systems and high-performance computing technology supports a vibrant economy and leads the environmental science community.

This 10-year strategic plan aims to maintain agility in a changing research landscape. GSL’s core competencies, expertise, and mission align with DOC, NOAA, and OAR objectives and support Congress’s Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 and the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2018. GSL prizes its strong relationships with forecasters, the aviation community, university research partners, other NOAA organizations, the private sector, and its Cooperative Institute partners (CIRES and CIRA) in accomplishing its mission. This plan seeks to build upon these relationships and engage in new collaborations.

GSL’s powerful team has a legacy of delivering ground-breaking research that has revolutionized weather operations. This plan aspires to develop and empower our future leaders by committing to diversity, inclusiveness, excellence, and integrity to transform NOAA’s future in world-class science. This next generation of scientists will be critical in leveraging new technology to prioritize mission-relevant research to serve both local, national, and global communities.

Jennifer Mahoney

Director

Global Systems Laboratory

Strategic Goals

Goal 1. Invest in people, partnerships, and organizational performance.	Goal 2. Develop state-of-the-art Earth-system prediction capabilities.	Goal 3. Revolutionize communications, products, and services to enable informed decision-making.