Forecaster Development Program

Instructional Component Checklist

I. NWS Organizational Structure and Administration

IC	Description	Due Date	Completion Date	SOO/Training Coordinator Initials
1.1	NWS Instruction 20-103: Forecaster Development Program
1.2	New Employee Orientation Page
1.3	Review of NOAA Administrative Policies and Employee Benefits
1.4	NOAA IT Security Awareness Course
1.5	NOAA Safety, Environmental and Sustainability Course
1.6	No Fear Act training. {NWS Learning Center]
1.7	NOAA Travel Credit Card Training [as required - web]
1.8	Review NWS Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Diversity Management web site
1.9	Review of electronic communication and reporting systems
1.10	Welcome to the National Weather Service [NWSTC - NWS Learning Center]
1.11	NWS Directives [NWSTC - NWS Learning Center]

II. Observational Instrumentation, Remote Sensing, Interpretation and Data Management

IC	Description	Due Date	Completion Date	SOO/Training Coordinator Initials
2.1	Quality Control [NWSTC WBT-001] has been suspended and is under revision review (01/16/09).
2.2	ASOS System and Algorithms [ASOS Users Guide and NWSTC web]
2.3	SHEF Observations Tutorial [NWSTC - NWS Learning Center]
2.4	Skew-T Mastery [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
2.5	WSR-88D DLOC [WDTB]
2.6	Factors Affecting the Accuracy and Continuity of Climate Observations [Climate Services Division/OCWWS – web (Climate PDS, PCU6)]
2.7	Rain Gauges: Are They Really Ground Truth? [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
2.8	Surface Observation Certificate [as required]
2.9	Upper Air Certification (as required) [Handbook 10, MicroArts/RRS Training Guide, RRS DVD]
2.10	Cooperative Observing Program [NWSTC RTMs, residence course] (as required)
2.11	Satellite Training - SHyMet Intern Course [VISIT - NWS Learning Center]

III. Forecast Process

IC	Description	Due Date	Completion Date	SOO/Training Coordinator
3.1	The Forecast Process [COMET CD]
3.2	Jet Streak Circulations [COMET- NWS Learning Center]
3.3	Isentropic Analysis [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
3.4	Model Fundamentals [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
3.5	Impact of Model Structure and Dynamics [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
3.6	How Models Produce Precipitation and Clouds [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
3.7	Influence of Model Physics on NWP Forecasts [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
3.8	Intelligent Use of Model-Derived Products [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
3.9	Understanding Data Assimilation [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
3.10	Introduction to Ensemble Prediction [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
3.11a	Review NWS Directive NWSI 10-504 National Public Weather Products
3.11b	Review NWS Directive NWSI 10-512 National Severe Weather Products
3.11c	Review NWS Directive NWSI 10-514 National Winter Weather Products
3.11d	Review NWS Directive NWSI 10-601 Tropical Products
3.11e	Review NWS Directive NWSI 10-516 National Non-Precipitation Products
3.11f	Review NWS Directive NWSI 10-518 National Non-Weather Related Emergency
3.11g	Review NWS Directive NWSI 10-930 National Hydrologic Products
3.12	Gridded Forecasts Methodology Training using the Graphical Forecast Editor (GFE) [NWSTC, local training]
3.13	Application of GFE Smart Tools [NWSTC, local training]
3.14	Collaboration Training [local training]

IV. Forecast Science and Operational Programs

IC	Description	Due Date	Completion Date	SOO/Training Coordinator Initials
4.1a	Review NWSI 10-511 WFO Severe Weather Products
4.1b	Principles of Convection I: Buoyance and CAPE [COMET- NWS Learning Center]
4.1c	Principles of Convection II: Using Hodographs [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.1d	Principles of Convection III: Shear and Convective Storms [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.1e	Severe Convection II: Mesoscale Convective Systems [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.1f	Predicting Super Cell Motion Using Hodograph Techniques [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.1g	Lightning Meteorology I [VISIT - NWS Learning Center]
4.1h	Lightning Meteorology II [VISIT - NWS Learning Center]
4.1i	Advanced Warning Operations Course (AWOC - Core, Severe) [WDTB - NWS Learning Center]
4.2a	Review NWSI 10-503 WFO Public Weather Forecast Products
4.2b	Review NWSI 10-506 Digital Data Products or Services
4.2c	Review NWSI 10-515 WFO Non-Precipitation Weather Products
4.2d	Review NWSI 10-517 Multi-purpose Weather Products
4.3	Introduction to QPF [COMET – NWS Learning Center]
4.4a	The Impact of Weather on Air Traffic Management [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.4b	Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) [NWSTC - NWS Learning Center]
4.4c	DLAC 1: Fog Forecasting/Low Stratus for Aviation Operations [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.4d	DLAC 1 Lesson 3b: Writing Effective TAFs [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.4e	DLAC 2: Basic Terminal Forecast Strategies [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.4f	DLAC 2: Writing TAFs for Convective Weather [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.4g	DLAC 2: Writing TAFs for Winds and LLWS [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.4h	Writing TAFs for Winter Weather [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.5a	Review NWSI 10-921 WFO Hydrologic Operations
4.5b	Review NWSI 10-922 WFO Hydrologic Products
4.5c	Understanding the Hydrologic Cycle [COMET/FDTB -NWS Learning Center ]
4.5d	Unit Hydrograph Theory [COMET/FDTB - NWS Learning Center]
4.5e	Runoff Processes [COMET/FDTB - NWS Learning Center]
4.5f	Streamflow Routing [COMET/FDTB - NWS Learning Center]
4.5g	Hydrologic Services Course [available at local office or regional HQs]
4.6a	Climate Data and Services Infrastructure [Climate PDS PCU1 – web]
4.6b	Navigating the Climate Prediction’s Website [VISITview with audio]
4.6c	Understanding of Climate Variability…Local Services [Climate PDS PCU2 – web]
4.6d	EL Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.6e	Should Synopticians Worry About Climate [COMET MetEd]
4.6f	Madden-Julian Oscillation Life Cycle [COMET -NWS Learning Center]
4.7a	Review NWSI 10-513 WFO Winter Weather Products
4.7b	AWOC Winter Weather Track [WDTB - NWS Learning Center] (as required)
4.8a	NWS Support During Hazardous Materials Emergencies [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.8b	Dispersion Basics [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.8c	CAMEO/HYSPLIT Dispersion Models[COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.9a	Space Weather: Welcome SEC [COMET - NWS Learning Center]
4.9b	Space Weather Basics [COMET - NWS Learning Center ]
4.10a	Review NWSI 10-1601 Verification Procedures
4.11a	TPC forecast products, hurricane reconnaissance, etc. (as required)
4.12a	Introduction to Fire Behavior [COMET –NWS Learning Center ] (as required)
4.13a	Wave Types and Characteristics [COMET - NWS Learning Center] (as required)
4.14a	Tsunamis Training [FDTB – NWS Learning Center] (as required)

V. Operational Applications, Troubleshooting, and Dissemination

IC	Description	Due Date	Completion Date	SOO/Training Coordinator Initials
5.1	Review AWIPS D2D Users Guide [ AWIPS OneStop page - see software tab section for latest awips build and user guides]
5.2	WarnGen Training [D2D Users Guide, WES scenarios]
5.3	VTEC Primer [FDTB - NWS Learning Center]
5.4	WarnGen Changes in OB8.1 [FDTB - NWS Learning Center]
5.5	WarnGen Training for OB8.2 and 8.2.1 [FDTB - NWS Learning Center]
5.6	Graphical Forecast Editor (GFE) [training material can be found directly in GFE on AWIPS: In GFE, select Help (upper right corner)>>>Online Table of Contents>>>GFE Training Guide]
5.7	IFPS Smart Tools Training - [NWSTC - web]
5.8	Aviation Forecast Preparation System (AvnFPS) Training [ AvnFPS Users Guide]
5.9	Weather Forecast Office Hydrologic Forecast System (WHFS)
5.10	All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio [ NOAA Weather Radio User Guide]

VI. Customer Service and Outreach

IC	Description	Due Date	Completion Date	SOO/Training Coordinator Initials
6.1	Coordinate with Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) Watch/Warning procedures and local spotter networks
6.2	Discuss with WCM who our customers are and how NWS supports them.
6.3	A Social Science Perspective on Flood Events [COMET – NWS Learning Center]

VII. Professional Development

IC	Description	Due Date	Completion Date	SOO/Training Coordinator Initials
7.1	Focal point or program leader involvement
7.2	Outreach activities [e.g. school or civic organization talks, career days, trade shows]
7.3	Conduct a local seminar or research project
7.4	Give presentations and/or participate in the workshops at professional conferences, regional workshops or local office.
7.5	Read current scientific literature, particularly journal articles that have application to operational forecasting to maintain a working knowledge of new meteorological and hydrologic concepts.

Last review or update - September 28, 2011