Emerson, NJ (February 26, 2003)-- AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. and WNBC-TV have certified a New Jersey school to provide real-time weather information to local and national officials in the event of a terrorist attack in the region. The Assumption Academy weather station is the first of 570 New York metro area weather stations in the AWS/WNBC WeatherNet network that will be used by the government for homeland security. There are more than 6,000 schools participating in the AWS WeatherNet network.

This week AWS completed an assessment of the Assumption Academy weather station to ensure that the equipment is properly calibrated to provide precise measurements on the local environment. In the event of a biological, chemical or nuclear attack, the National Weather Service will tap data from the AWS WeatherNet certified weather stations to provide officials with real-time information. This data will enable officials to quickly assess local conditions, such as surface wind speeds and temperatures, which could spread airborne hazardous materials and affect nearby communities.

The primary function Assumption Academy’s real-time weather station during non-emergency periods is to facilitate classroom learning as part of a program developed by AWS called WeatherNet Classroom. In addition, the station feeds real-time weather data to WNBC-TV, which uses this same local information to power its weather segments.

"The unique value and quality of highly localized, up-to-the-second weather information provided by the Assumption Academy and our other 6,000 schools is critical for homeland security and emergency response. This effort is one in which the school and WNBC, our New York-broadcast partner, will be proud to be involved and support," said Bob Marshall, CEO of AWS Convergence Technologies.

Weather information has long played a pivotal role in the government’s ability to respond to major disasters. After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, multiple mobile weather stations were installed near Ground Zero, which the National Weather Service used to provide rescue workers with more precise wind forecast models that helped them to predict the direction smoke would spread and adjust their response accordingly. AWS, in partnership with WNBC-TV, has more than forty weather stations in the area, the closest of which is just a half-mile from the site. In that case, the weather stations could have significantly accelerated the government's ability to respond.

"AWS and its broadcast partners stepped up to the plate in response to the President's call for American companies to support Homeland Security," said Jack Kelly, Director of the National Weather Service. "Our relationship with AWS is a great example of the public-private partnerships that are so vital to our mission of providing data on an immediate basis for critical decisions and forecasts that help protect lives and property. We are working together to save lives," he added.

About AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc.

AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. (www.aws.com) owns and operates the largest network of weather stations in the world. This real-time network gathers comprehensive, up-to-the-second weather information from more than 6,000 communities and powers the company’s various products and services, including: WeatherBug®, an online weather service that provides live neighborhood conditions to more than 17 million registered PC users and the number one source of online weather information, according to comScore Media Metrix; WeatherNet for Broadcast, which delivers real-time weather information to more than 80 million U.S. households through partnerships with 100 local television stations; WeatherNet for Education, which provides engaging weather information and educational tools to schools and colleges, including an innovative set of online lesson plans and software called WeatherNet Classroom; and AWS Data Services which uses AWS’ unique weather network and software to provide high-value solutions for vertical industries such as energy, retail, and transportation.