Privacy Policy

This policy covers user privacy, system security, and National Weather Service information collection practices. This Privacy Policy Statement applies only to National Weather Service websites. Some organizations within NOAA may have other information collection practices. We encourage you to check Privacy Policies when going to another website.

This website is a public service by NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS).

Information on this site is public information and may be distributed or copied. We request that you use the appropriate byline/photo/image credits.

Site Management Data

For each page, we collect and store only the following information:

  • the date and time
  • the originating IP address
  • the type of browser and operating system used (if provided by the browser)
  • the URL of the referring page (if provided by the browser)
  • the object requested
  • completion status of the request
  • pages visited

We use this information to help make our site more useful. The data may be preserved indefinitely and used at any time.

Cookies and Other Tracking

We may customize your browsing experience by using your browser’s “cookies” to store an identifying tag on your computer. Cookies are small text files stored on your computer when you visit a website. They save your preferences and history, making it easier for you to browse and save your preferences.

You can refuse the cookie or delete the cookie file from your computer’s browser at any time. You can also change your browser settings to block cookies by following these instructions.

We use Google Analytics to help us understand how visitors use beta.weather.gov and to identify system performance or problem areas. Google stores the information generated by the Google Analytics cookie about your use of our site. If you don't want your activity tracked by Google Analytics, you may opt-out by visiting the Google Analytics website.

We save this data only as long as required by law, or specific program needs. You can read more details on these guidelines in the National Archives and Records Administration’s General Records Schedule.

Consent to Voluntary Information Collection and Sharing

Sharing any information with NWS via our website is voluntary. We don't collect personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address, phone number, e-mail address) unless you provide it. We only use the information collected to respond to user inquiries or improve the user experience.

How Long We Keep Information

We keep your shared information only as long as necessary. When possible, we destroy it once we've used the information for the purpose you shared it. Sometimes we're required to keep it longer by law or policy.

Privacy Act System of Records

The NWS does not maintain and retrieve information submitted to it based upon personal identifiers (name, email addresses, etc.). This website doesn't use or collect information for any Privacy Act System of Records.

Information Protection

The NWS is dedicated to providing all users access to information for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.

We protect the integrity of this website for sharing information. Unauthorized attempts to upload or change information on beta.weather.gov are prohibited. These actions may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act.

Only authorized law enforcement investigations will ever attempt to identify individual users or usage habits. NWS destroys raw data logs as laid out in the General Records Schedule.

Sharing Data with Other Federal Agencies

NWS may share information about its website users with other federal agencies. For example, in the case of a breach, we may share information on our servers with appropriate law enforcement and homeland security officials.

The Privacy Act and FOIA

You can read an overview of the Privacy Act of 1974 on the Department of Justice website.

You can find NOAA's FOIA policy on their website.

Dispute Resolution

If you believe our site isn't following the principles listed above, you can notify the NWS Office of the CIO at w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov.