National Weather Service
Professional Development Series

Meteorology PDS

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Meteorology PDS

Meteorology PDS list, link to PDS text or see PCU list below, if available:

Aviation

  • Forecasting Aviation Icing [PCUs]
  • Forecasting Low-Altitude Clouds and Fog for Aviation Operations [PCUs]

    • CWSU

  • Impact of Aviation Forecasts and Weather on Customers [PCUs]
  • On-Station Systems and Operations for the CWSU [PCUs]
  • Issuing Effective CWSU Products [PCUs]
  • Forecasting Turbulence [PCUs]

    • Forecasting

  • Forecasting Severe Convection [PCUs]
  • The Convective Warning Process [PCUs]
  • Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting [PCUs]
  • Numerical Weather Prediction [PCUs]
  • Integrated Sensor Training [PCUs]

    • Development

  • Forecaster Development Program, Phase 1: Operational Basics [PCUs]
  • Forecaster Development Program, Phase 2: Forecast Familiarization [PCUs]
  • Forecaster Development Program, Phase 3: Professional Development [PCUs]

    • Fire Weather

  • Fire Weather [PCUs]
  • Incident Meteorologist [PCUs]

    • Marine Weather

  • Marine Weather Services [PCUs]

    • Other Programs

  • Climate [PCUs]
  • Public Weather (Under development)

    • Meteorology PDS Details

    PDS: Forecasting Aviation Icing

  • PCU 1: Applying Climatological Data to Icing Forecasting on All Spatial Scales
  • PCU 2: Assessing the Hemispheric Environment: Large-Scale Patterns Associated with Icing Episodes
  • PCU 3: Assessing the Synoptic-Scale Environment: Patterns and Synoptic-Scale Features Conducive to the Formation of Icing
  • PCU 4: Assessing the Mesoscale Environment: Determining the Hazards (ground/in-flight)
  • PCU 5: Determining Temporal (onset and termination) and Spatial (vertical and horizontal) Extent of Potential Icing Threats
  • PCU 6: Determining Icing Type and Severity
  • PCU 7: Evaluating Potential Impacts of Icing Hazards and Forecasts on Aviation Operations
  • PCU 8: Issuing Forecasts Per Agency-Specific Procedures
  • PCU 9: Integrating the Icing Forecast into the Overall Aviation Forecast Process

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    PDS: Forecasting Low-Altitude Clouds and Fog for Aviation Operations

  • PCU 1: Fog and Stratus Climatology
  • PCU 2: Fog and Stratus Diagnosis
  • PCU 3: Physical Processes
  • PCU 4: Fog and Stratus Forecasting

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    PDS: Impact of Aviation Forecasts and Weather on Customers

  • PCU 1: Assessing Impact of Weather Hazards on Decision Making for Air Traffic
  • PCU 2: Communicate Appropriately with Air Traffic Operations
  • PCU 3: Provide FAA Weather Briefings
  • PCU 4: Operate within Bounds of Legal Obligations/Liability

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    PDS: On-Station Systems and Operations for the CWSU

  • PCU 1: Using WARP
  • PCU 2: Using the CWSU AWIPS
  • PCU 3: Implement Local Internet Procedures
  • PCU 4: Using the Internet
  • PCU 5: Using ITWA (Integrated Terminal Weather System)
  • PCU 6: Using AIS (Aeronautical Information System)

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    PDS: Issuing Effective CWSU Products

  • PCU 1: Determine Timing and Coverage of AWC/AAWU Products Applicable to Issuance of CWS Products
  • PCU 2: Effective Coordination of Center Weather Advisory (CWA), Meteorological Impact Statement (MIS), and Other Products
  • PCU 3: Issuing, Monitoring, Amending, and Canceling Products
  • PCU 4: Using Verification to Improve Products

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    PDS: Forecasting Turbulence

  • PCU 1: Applying Climatological Data to Turbulence Forecasting on All Spatial Scales
  • PCU 2: Assessing the Hemispheric Environment: Large-Scale Patterns Associated with Turbulence Episodes
  • PCU 3: Assessing the Synoptic-Scale Environment: Patterns and Synoptic-Scale Features Conducive to the Development of Turbulence
  • PCU 4: Assessing the Mesoscale Environment: Determining the Hazards (In-Flight)
  • PCU 5: Determining Temporal (Onset and Termination) and Spatial (Vertical and Horizontal) Extent of Potential Turbulence
  • PCU 6: Determining the Severity of Turbulence
  • PCU 7: Evaluating Potential Impacts of Turbulence on Aviation

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    PDS: Forecasting Severe Convection

  • PCU 1: Applying Climatology to the Forecasting of Severe Convective Events
  • PCU 2: Assessing the Synoptic-Scale Environment: Identifying Patterns and Synoptic-Scale Features Conducive to Severe Convection
  • PCU 3: Assessing the Mesoscale Environment: Forecasting Convection Initiation and Timing
  • PCU 4: Assessing the Mesoscale Environment: Forecasting Convective Storm Type
  • PCU 5: Assessing the Mesoscale Environment: Forecasting Storm Evolution

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    PDS: The Convective Warning Process

  • PCU 1: Optimize Office Strategies for Convective Warning Operations
  • PCU 2: Analyze and Assess the Mesoscale Environment
  • PCU 3: Analyze Convective Storms to Assess Storm Intensity and Evolution
  • PCU 4: The Warning Decision
  • PCU 5: Composing and Disseminating the Convective Warning Product
  • PCU 6: Monitoring Convective Warning Operations

    • Note: This PDS assumes that, as a start, some basic prerequisite knowledge and skills exist for forecasters in the area of severe storm climatology and synoptic scale assessment of the large scale environment (see Forecasting Severe Convection PDS, PCUs #1 and #2). This is important in establishing a link of the warning process to the larger scale analysis and providing a fundamental understanding of severe storm forecasting in general.

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    PDS: Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting

  • PCU 1: Assessing Climatology Data for Potential of Precipitation (NWSTC / AR / PR)
  • PCU 2: Assessing the Atmospheric Environment for Patterns and Conditions Leading to Precipitation (NWSTC / AR / PR)
  • PCU 3: Evaluate and Integrate Observations / Estimates of Precipitation (QPE) (OTB)
  • PCU 4: Evaluate NWP and Value-added Guidance for Precipitation Forecasting (NCEP/HPC)
  • PCU 5: Assessing the Mesoscale Environment: Forecasting Precipitation and Timing (COMET)
  • PCU 6: Prepare QPF (NWSTC / ER / CR)
  • PCU 7: Preparing a Trafficability Forecast (AFWA)

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    PDS: Numerical Weather Prediction

  • PCU 1: Understanding NWP Models and their Processes -Explaining basic numerical model concepts.
  • PCU 2: Understanding Current Characteristics of Operational NWP Models to Develop Realistic Expectations of Predictability - Focuses on the need to provide a steady stream of information about model enhancements and how the enhancements affect model performance.
  • PCU 3: Assessing the Model Initialization in the Forecast Process -Training on better scientifically-based forecast practices to interpret and use model guidance.
  • PCU 4: Using Numerical Guidance in the Forecast Process - Training on better scientifically-based forecast practices to interpret and use model guidance.

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    PDS: Integrated Sensor Training

  • PCU 1: Using Profiler Observations
  • PCU 2: Using Lightning Observations
  • PCU 3: Using Surface Observations
  • PCU 4: Using Upper-air Observations
  • PCU 5: Using Radar Data and Products
  • PCU 6: Using Satellite Data and Products
  • PCU 7: AWIPS Multi-source Data Displays
  • PCU 8: Model Data Assessment
  • PCU 9: Using AWIPS in the Forecast Process

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    PDS: Forecaster Development Program, Phase 1: Operational Basics

  • PCU 1: NWS Structure and Administration
  • PCU 2: Operational Systems/Data Management
  • PCU 3: Forecast Operations
  • PCU 4: General Customer Service

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    PDS: Forecaster Development Program, Phase 2: Forecast Familiarization

  • PCU 1: Forecast Science and Applications
  • PCU 2: Service and Evaluation

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    PDS: Forecaster Development Program, Phase 3: Professional Development

  • PCU 1: Focal Point Duties
  • PCU 2: Outreach Activities
  • PCU 3: Training and Research
  • PCU 4: Career Path

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    PDS: Fire Weather

  • PCU 1: Customer Awareness and Requirements
  • PCU 2: General Characteristics of Fire Behavior and Fire Danger
  • PCU 3: Fire Weather Meteorology
  • PCU 4: Products and Services

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    PDS: Incident Meteorologist

  • PCU 1: Incident Response

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    PDS: Marine Weather Services

  • PCU 1: Understand Customer Requirements for, and the Use of, Marine Weather Products
  • PCU 2: Utilize and Integrate Marine Observations to Evaluate the Current State of the Marine Environment
  • PCU 3: Applying Local Marine Climatology and Terrain Influences
  • PCU 4: Forecasting Winds in the Marine Environment
  • PCU 5: Forecasting Waves over the Oceans and Great Lakes
  • PCU 6: Understand the Significant Weather Elements that Affect Marine Operations
  • PCU 7: Making Graphical Marine Weather Analyses and Forecast Products
  • PCU 8: Understand the Processes of Coastal and Lakeshore Flooding
  • PCU 9: Assess Impacts of Marine Ice on Ships and Ship Operations

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    PDS: Climate

  • PCU 1: Demonstrate Knowledge of the Infrastructure for Climate Data and Services
  • PCU 2: Demonstrate Understanding of Climate Variability Sufficient to Apply to Local Services
  • PCU 3: Demonstrate Understanding of the Basis and Methodologies of CPC Products
  • PCU 4: Interpret and Apply CPC Products
  • PCU 5: Respond to User Requests for Historical Climate Data and Information, and Provide Public Outreach

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    Last reviewed or updated on 01/16/01