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National Weather Service
Jacksonville, Florida
Professional Development Plan for
Meteorologist Interns
in the AWIPS - WFO transition era 1998-1999
August 1998
Training Goals for Meteorologist Interns
In order to clarify what is expected of the meteorologist interns on the staff, a list of training goals is presented
below. This document also contains information about priorities, and general content of each element of the required
training (for example: important elements of the COMET modules). This list of training goals is not meant to be
overwhelming, but is presented to illustrate what path(s) you should take in your professional development. Particular
attention should be paid to both the priority and weighting of each training element. Further, Meteorologist Interns
should also include some of the more advanced elements of the Meteorologist Professional Development Plan in their
training accomplishments to ensure their currency with current developments and their eligibility and competitiveness
for promotion.
This list of goals does not represent all that the meteorologist intern should accomplish, but highlights the newer
training elements of the NWS modernization program. In particular it points out some specific areas that need to
be studied with forecasting knowledge and skills to be mastered. It does NOT include the specifics of producing
functionally correct operational forecast products, which must also be mastered to ensure promotion potential.
Other materials such as periodicals, and information passed on email, present or recent research findings, and
new approaches to forecast problems are all part of the professional meteorologists continuing education. These
should be read, filed and should be reviewed from time to time for topics of interest, or applications to the forecast
process. Articles or papers of interest will be brought to your attention and should be reviewed as they become
available. When you are on an extra, or quiet shift and are not training on the PDW, budget your time according
to your personal training needs. There is more than enough to do.
A. High Priority Training Goals: Many of the high priority items listed below require the new PDW (pdw2),
other items may be accessed via the Internet and Intranet on other computers during periods of quiet weather and
as time permits. Those training requirements which require brief periods of time will be weighted less in the training
evaluation process. Those items on the Meteorologist listing as high priority, heavily weighted items, will
require considerable time and effort. Such initiative by an intern will be favorably reviewed in the training evaluation
process. An approximate weighting scheme can be found in APPENDIX A. Any questions about this should be coordinated
with the SOO and MIC. As a new staff member it is understood that you will have more questions about how things
are done than a seasoned forecaster. Do not undervalue your own ability to change things for the better, but at
the same time focus on the tasks laid before you in on-the-job applications (see below).
Goal One: Demonstrate the levels of professional training consistent with becoming a Journeyman Forecaster
by integrating mesoscale meteorology into routine and severe weather forecast and warning operations.
1. Forecaster Development Program (FDP) requirements: These ROML based requirements for new interns are
necessary for promotion to GS-9. For this reason these items are the highest priority for those interns who have
not completed them. A checksheet for these requirements is attached as appendix A.
2. WSR-88D Distance Learning Operations Course (DLOC): This course is mandatory for promotion to GS-12 Forecaster
positions, and should be started at first opportunity. The course is given by teletraining, CDROM, testing and
self study in multiple modules over several months time. You will need to coordinate closely with the SOO to ensure
your signup, completion, and testing of various modules. If you have some trouble tracing the zero isodop, you
are not alone. Sometimes the imagery is rather poor and noisy particularly during light winds, but usually identifiable.
Interpretation of the velocity signatures of cyclonic rotation, mid-level convergence, and upper divergence and
how they are sampled with increased range are the skills which must be mastered.
3. COMET and other Computer-Based Learning (CBL) Modules: These CDROM based training modules are often the
first priority for most interns after completing the FDP requirements, since they lend themselves toward application
to actual forecasting and can be scheduled by the individual. Those modules which apply directly to the WSR-88D
operations will enhance performance once the Meteorologist Intern has completed DLOC and gained experience
working on the WSR-88D. These modules are high priority, but will be weighted less in the training evaluation due
to their relatively short duration. The following order is recommended:
a. A Convective Storm Matrix: Buoyancy/Shear Dependencies: This rewrite of
the older module Boundary Detection and Convective Initiation illustrates the importance of the environment
and storm interaction. This module stresses the use of existing synoptic information and local data to monitor
the severity and nature of the storm threat, including the identification of likely outcomes. Instructional hours
are set at 8 to 10, but this module can be accomplished in less time.
b. Forecast Process: This new module provides a good overview of the preferred
forecast methodology (the "forecast funnel" process), and takes the trainee through a few cases using
the approach. This module provides some thought-provoking ideas about attacking the ever increasing amount of data
that is becoming available. It also illustrates that the human forecaster is more important than ever in the forecast
process, in identifying the forecast problem, selecting which model can best handle the situation, modifying the
forecast for likely model error, and utilizing the appropriate data analysis techniques to complete the forecast.
Instructional hours are set at 4 to 8. These hours are appropriate if you utilize all of the tools and guidance
in the scenarios.
c. Satellite Meteorology: Remote sensing using the new GOES imager. This module
provides examples and insight into the interpretation of the high resolution imagery available from the new GOES
series satellites. With data void areas directly adjacent to our CWA, we will to some extent always be dependent
on remote sensing to bridge the gap between model output parameters and what is happening in the real atmosphere.
d. Marine Meteorology: This module should be completed prior to the assumption
of the marine forecast responsibility (currently planned for fall 1999). These programs provide for specific training
on issues important to the marine community which might not be obvious to the journeyman forecaster.
e. Fire Weather, Hydrology, Warning Decision, and other CDROM training, including
new WSR-88D and COMET CBL modules as they become available. See the meteorologist section for current priority
listings.
3. Hands-on Training on the WSR-88D: A logical extension of the PDW training is to apply what you have learned
and reinforce this knowledge with hands-on training on the PUP Graphic tablet and Applications terminal and the
UCP or AWIPS consoles. Initially, review of the Jobsheets from the course are recommended (available in the gray
binders at the WSR-88D. Currently, training disks and scenarios are being made up so that a "canned"
scenario may be reviewed and worked on using the training mode during periods of quiet weather. This item is awaiting
the fall season in order to accomplish these scenarios using the training disks. This particular goal can be practiced
on shift during convective events or during quiet periods. These functions are not meant to strictly represent
"knobology," but should involve examination and interpretation of the environment as well as storm signatures
utilizing all the functions of the WSR-88D.
4. AWIPS system Training: Skills also need to be acquired in operational systems . Currently, UNIX programs
use the various graphical user interfaces (GUI), and you need to be familiar with them to be able to operate as
a forecaster in the Pre-AWIPS environment. All the above training is in support of performing your future duties
during operational training shifts and actual forecast shifts on AWIPS. Here again, once the knowledge is acquired,
or even while you are acquiring it, it should be used daily in the operational environment. Any other training
in WINDOWS95 and UNIX that come to the attention of the SOO will be offered if and when funds become available.
Facility with the operational programs will be tested by station drills and proficiency checks currently being
developed. Some specific examples follow:
a. NTL Suite (GARP/NAWIPS/NSAT/XAFOS) A group of UNIX GUI-based analysis and
forecast tools which are script driven and form the basic tools for the pre-AWIPS forecaster in developing a forecast
from numerical model (gridded) datasets. This suite allows the forecaster to display graphic model output without
actually dealing with the complexity of the gridded datasets.
b. SHARP'97 Workstation: Another powerful PC program in that it can provide
considerable environmental insight about the air column from the morning and evening soundings both at JAX and
surrounding radiosonde sites. The program calculates numerous parameters insofar as precipitation type, stability
and shear are concerned, and particular attention should be paid to CAPE, CIN, wet-bulb zero and the hodograph
as severe weather indicators. Although it has been labeled as a "convective program," it can be useful
in many types of weather regimes, not just for the local sounding, but for the other locations along our TWEB routes
and TAF sites as well. Interpretations of the hodograph this program produces, along with various other parameters
and functions, is necessary to effectively forecast severe weather.
c. TAF and TWEB programs: Use of this software to produce aviation products
is required for product consistency, validity, and future verification efforts.
d. Hydrology (WINQPF) program(s): Use of this software to produce properly
formatted QPF products is required for product consistency and verification efforts. Completion of the new and
long awaited correspondence course titled Operations of the NWS Hydrologic Services Program will be required
in the near future.
B. Lower Priority Goals: Some of these goals may be accomplished whenever the PDW-based modules or other
programs cannot be utilized on a training shift. These goals may also be accomplished on other shifts during periods
of quiet weather and as time permits.
Goal Two: Become an integral part of the staff by performing and learning hydrometeorological data gathering
and warning support functions.
1. On the Job Training (OJT): Continue OJT in the areas of NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) and Selected Area Message
Encoding (SAME) procedures, Upper Air Observations (Rawinsonde/radiosonde/pibal) and ASOS/AWOS procedures as they
evolve. This item is low priority only because all current interns have reached a successful level of performance
in these areas. As new interns arrive at the station and assume these duties as operational functions, it will
become the highest priority for those individuals.
Goal Three: Demonstrate high levels of professional training by developing the requisite computer skills
for long term professional accomplishments.
1. UNIX Training: This is a continuation item from the 1994 and 1997 Intern Professional Development Plans.
UNIX is a more complex and advanced operating system in that it is a multi-task and multi-user environment. In
other words, UNIX can perform different operations for different terminals at the same time, but using much more
powerful workstations. It is immensely more powerful than AFOS and requires special knowledge in order to effectively
use its many features. An introduction to UNIX is now available on the Intranet server and on CDROM on PDW#3. Further
training in UNIX will become available, but for now, this is the place to start. The company producing AWIPS will
provide some training on AWIPS (likely only one week), but a certain level of existing UNIX training will be necessary
to effectively understand the information presented by the contractor, and the system itself. For more information
see the Meteorologist section particularly the section on the common desktop environment or CDE. This modern GUI
will soon be common to most UNIX platforms including AWIPS and the WSR-88D RPG when it is rehosted to a UNIX platform.
2. Word Perfect: Although this is a relatively low priority goal, this powerful word processor is the standard
in the National Weather Service. If you prepare a research paper, a report, or other written communication, this
is the word processor to use. Word Perfect approaches and even surpasses some of the desktop publishers on the
market. Graphics, tables and other explanatory vehicles can be inserted in the text to further clarify your document.
A tutorial is available on most computers that have Word Perfect installed and will provide you with basic information
on this program. Here again, skills must be practiced during or after they are acquired for you to retain what
is learned.
See Appendix B for the intern requirements checklist.
See Appendix C for the Individual Annual Training Evaluation checklist.
Pat Welsh, SOO, NWSO JAX