# Presentation: 425533

## Training and 

**Professional Development**

**Brian Motta****NOAA/National Weather Service****Training Division****IFPS Professional Development Series****September 9, 2003**

**Notes:**
The amount of observational and forecast data produced by the National Weather Service has increased dramatically via the implementation of new technology and the infusion of science.  We now have much more information than we can effectively communicate, and the volume of this data will continue to increase.

The need for high-quality weather, water, and climate data and predictions is escalating at a dramatic rate.  We face a challenge managing and sharing information with our partners and customers.

The NWS is implementing an advanced forecasting process which will dramatically change our internal forecast process and the kinds of products and level of service we provide our customers and partners.

## Recent Past Accomplishments

** ****FY03 Methodology Workshops**
** ****Diurnal Temperature Smart Tool**
** ****Tropical Cyclone Advisory Grids**** **
** ****Tele-training**
** ****Collaboration Tools / Strategy**
** ****GFE Text Formatters**
** ****Major Release Changes IFPS 13/14**
** ****WWW-based  Training**
** ****NWS Office Visits**

**Notes:**
Traditionally, our forecasters have just produced text products.  With this new forecast process, they can produce text, high resolution gridded products and graphics.

This new forecasting process will introduce sweeping changes to our product suite, moving beyond text forecasts for areas and locations toward higher resolution digital grids and information-rich visual displays.  These are the types of products our customers and partners say they want. 

The benefits are many.  For example:
Local decision makers have computer-accessible databases critical to their operations, which can be enhanced by the new information we will produce. 
Private weather service providers need access to the full array of NWS observations and forecasts, so they can apply it to satisfy the specialized needs of their diverse customer base and expand their markets.
This information also enables government agencies, private institutions, and American citizens to make informed decisions based on the amount of risk they are willing or not to accept. 
We can help expand the economy if we make all of our information available in formats that can be used by all.

## New Approaches to Training

*** ******Rapid development to coincide with releases***
*** ******Interactive distance-learning approach to involve participants***
*** ******Foster organizational learning environment and knowledge management***
*** ******Smaller “chunks” of training to fit into NWS schedules for focal points/forecasters***
*** ******Larger audience than most other training interest and participation extremely high***

**Notes:**
The new forecasting process addresses these previous shortcomings and limitations.

Our forecasters will now focus on data and science, rather than product generation and formats.  Weather models and data processing tools produce weather element forecasts, such as temperature, rainfall, wind, and clouds on high resolution grids. 

We have a true collaborative activity between national centers and local weather offices.  Forecasters at our national centers coordinate important changes to weather element grids with our local offices.   Experts at each local NWS office fine tune weather grids to account for terrain, land use patterns, population density, and sources of moisture.  

We maintain a consistent, high resolution, and easily accessible national digital forecast database updated on a frequent basis for use by both the public and private sectors.

## Coming Soon...

*** ******COMET Boundary Layer Symposium***
*** ******FY 04 Methodology Workshops***
*** ******Western Region/AK  Oct 28-30***
*** ******Changing Priorities***
*** ******from User Interface/Configuration ***
*** ******to Science, Tools, and Initializations***
*** ******different needs in different regions***
*** ******use of GFE/IFPS software/system***
*** ******improved planning/coordination/communication***
*** ******more Fire Weather, Marine and Tropical content***
***need displaced real-time capability for scenarios, cases, off-line use for operational training***

**Notes:**
This new process provides numerous benefits to our partners and customers.  With a digital forecast database, the NWS can easily expand the range of product types to respond to evolving technological capabilities, from text to graphic to gridded information.  Valuable data will be available on demand to satisfy diverse customer needs and provide new business opportunities for the private sector.  Probability of occurrence information in visual and digital form supports informed, risk-based decisions for emergency managers, and allows citizens to take actions to mitigate the dangers posed by severe storms and floods.

By working together with our customers and partners through this new forecasting process we will collectively produce weather information that helps keep Americans safe and helps businesses prosper.