Operational forecasters in the National Weather Service (NWS) and other services heavily rely on interpretation and use of output from these NWP modeling systems. Such systems include data ingest, data analysis and assimilation cycling, integration of the forecast model with one or more sets of initial conditions, and post-processing of both prognostic variables and derived ancillary fields of interest to users. Additional post-processing is added when NWS offices, which must now distribute their forecasts on 5-km grids, use so-called "smart tools" to convert NWP output fields to high-resolution grids of sensible weather that are subsequently refined by forecasters.
In the operational forecasting context, training on the intelligent, science-based use of NWP products requires: 1) specific knowledge of the particulars of various components of the NWP system as well as how those components interact to affect the forecast and associated output products, 2) an understanding of operational needs, constraints, and existing uses of NWP products, 3) conveying information about the modeling system in a timely manner relevant to forecaster application and understandable to operational forecasters, 4) providing operationally-oriented tutorials and background information so that forecasters have a framework for understanding and using the model-specific information.
In order to meet the varied training requirements for NWP noted above, the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training (COMET) stationed key members of its NWP training team at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) to serve as liaisons between the model developers and NWS weather forecast offices (WFOs). This is in contrast to other approaches, such as training teams stationed at remote training facilities or technical subject matter experts providing lectures.
The staff liaison approach has proven mutually beneficial to NWS WFOs and NCEP. Benefits beyond the actual training materials produced include 1) interactions between the field offices and the COMET meteorologists, 2) quick science- and operations-based response to field needs and questions, 3) investigation of model problems that lead to model improvements or fixes, and 4) augmentation of other training areas at COMET that overlap NWP. The limitations of the "staff liaison" approach will also be discussed. These mostly relate to working a long distance from the training outfit's home base.
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