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Information

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NWSFO PITTSBURGH, PA.

OFFICE LOCATION: The office is located in a specially designed split-level building in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. The office is a 10 minute drive northeast of the Pittsburgh International Airport, and 16 miles west of downtown Pittsburgh.

From the airport: Route 60 South to Exit 3 (Business Route 60-Moon). From Pittsburgh: I-279 South/Airport to Exit 3 (Business Route 60-Moon). From I-79 North: Exit 15 (Route 22/30 West) to Route 60 North to Exit 3 (Business Route 60-Moon). From I-79 South: Exit 16 (Route 60 North) to Exit 3 (Business Route 60-Moon)

From Exit 3 (Business Route 60-Moon) Travel 3.2 miles and turn right on Beer School Road (Orange Belt). Travel 1.1 miles to second light and turn left to Broad head Road. Travel 7/10 mile and turn right on Shafer Road. 6/10 mile to 192 Shafer Road.

Address: 192 Shafer Road
Moon Township, PA 15108

OFFICE ACTIVITY: This office is a 24 hour operation facility.

A. WFO staff maintains continuous WSR-88D radar coverage; operates twice daily radiosonde operations; and conducts briefings to the general public and media. NOAA Weather Radio Stations KIH35, WXJ47, and WWF35 are broadcast continually from this facility. Aviation, synoptic and climatological observations are taken by contract observers at a separate facility at the Pittsburgh International Airport.

B. Weather forecasts are made for all of Western Pennsylvania and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. Public forecast watch responsibilities are for 38 counties and warning responsibilities are for 36 counties. Warning area includes much of southeast Ohio, northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania. Aviation terminal forecasts are prepared for 12 airports in the region. The WSFO also has responsibility for the Upper Ohio River hydrologic service area.

C. The office has an active public service program which provides speakers to large schools and civic organizations.

TRANSIENT AND PERMANENT LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS: There are numerous hotels within two miles of the office. Prices range from $38/day and up for single and $48/day and up for a double. Temporary corporate housing is also available for $70/day short term and $55/day longer term. One bedroom apartments range from $400-$900 month and homes average $95,000-$l35,000. Most of the housing is single family dwellings.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: Bus service is provided by the Allegheny County Port Authority Transit. however, a personal vehicle is necessary since buses to Moon Township do not run on a convenient and regular basis.

EATING FACILITIES: There are no restaurants or fast food chains within a reasonable walking distance of the office. However, there are many within a short driving distance. Most are within 7 minutes driving time of the office.

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION: The Pittsburgh metropolitan area is the 14th largest in the nation. Moon Township is the largest township in the airport area. The population of Moon Township is approximately 23,000. The area is largely middle class with numerous transient airport employees. Many businesses in the region cater to the airport. Over 10,000 people are employed at the airport and in ancillary operations. The median income in Moon is $27,000, while the median household income in Moon Township is $42,000. The area boasts a low crime rate and Robert Morris College. Less than 20 minutes away is downtown Pittsburgh. The metropolitan area is known for its many fine hospitals (Children's, Allegheny General, Mercy, Presbyterian, and St. Francis) and excellent universities (Carnegie-Mellon, PITT and Duquesne). Within 1 hour are several ski resorts. Lake Erie is 2 hours away.

TAX INFORMATION: State Sales Tax - 6% excluding clothing, medical and groceries.

Allegheny County Sales Tax - 1% PA State Income Tax - 2.8% Allegheny County - 25.2 mils

Real Estate School District 74.5 mils Real Estate Township 11.5 mils Taxes based on 25% assessment County Tax - 1% (½ school - ½ township) Occupational Privilege Tax - $10/annum Per capita Tax - $15 ($10 school - $5.00 township) Wage Tax - 1% of Gross Salary

CHILD CARE FACILITIES: Numerous facilities are available in the Greater Pittsburgh area.

CLIMATE: Pittsburgh lies at the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains and has four, distinct seasons. It has a humid continental type of climate modified only slightly by its proximity to the Great Lakes and Atlantic Seaboard. The predominant winter air masses influencing the climate of Pittsburgh have a Polar continental source in Canada. During the summer, frequent invasions of air from the Gulf of Mexico bring warm, humid air. Precipitation is distributed well through the year with about a fourth of precipitation amounts in winter coming as snow.