News & Announcements

• VISIT has announced their schedule of live teletraining sessions through June 2012. Upcoming highlights include a VISIT Satellite Chat session covering Fire Weather on May 23, a new session on using Synthetic Imagery in Forecasting Low Clouds and Fog on June 19, as well as updated sessions covering Tropical Cyclone Intensity and Track Guidance used by NHC on June 20 and 21. All VISIT teletraining is listed on the Training Events Planning Calendar. (05/21/12)
  
  



• COMET has announced the publication of two new satellite modules.
  
  Suomi NPP: A New Generation of Environmental Monitoring Satellites provides an overview of the first new polar-orbiting satellite under NOAA's JPSS program. To access in the NWS Learning Center, click here.
  
  Imaging with VIIRS: A Convergence of Technologies and Experience, 2nd Edition updates the original 2004 module with information about the next-generation imager flying on Suomi NPP and future JPSS satellites. To access in the NWS Learning Center, click here.  (05/15/12)
  
  



• COMET has announced the publication of Quality Management Systems: Implementation in Meteorological Services. To access this one-hour module in the NWS Learning Center, click here. (05/07/12)
  
  



• 2012 Tropical Training for forecasters as well as for ITOs/GFE focal points is now available. Please visit the NWS Learning Center's Tropical Training Page for details. (05/03/12)
  
  



• COMET has published two new modules. The first is titled Satellite Feature Identification: Atmospheric Rivers, which contains several atmospheric river case studies that allow the user to practice forecasting their impacts. To access this module in the NWS Learning Center, click here.
  
  The second is titled Weather Radar Fundamentals, which is intended as an accelerated introduction to understanding and using basic Doppler weather radar products, but can also serve as an excellent refresher for more experienced users. Click here for module access in the NWS Learning Center. (03/30/12)
  
  



• COMET has announced the publication of Topics in Dynamic Meteorology: Thermal Wind. This 1 to 1.5 hour module explores the dynamic links between temperature, pressure, and wind in the atmosphere. The intended audience is novice forecasters and meteorologists. To access this module in the NWS Learning Center, click here. (03/29/12)
  
  



• COMET has announced the publication of The U.S. Naval Observatory: Mission, Products, and Services. To access this one-hour module in the NWS Learning Center, click here. (03/26/12)
  
  



• WDTB has designed a new course on Communicating Risks in High-Impact Events.  Module 1 has been published to the NWS Learning Center: Search for "Crisis Communications Module 1" (Use Exact Search).
  Module 1 addresses the growing need due to Impact-Based Decision Support Services (IDSS) for improved communication with our Core Partners. Module 1 provides a description of the crisis communication cycle model and uses actual stories of IDSS that the NWS provided during 2010-11. These stories include well-known events such as the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil Spill and the Enbridge Oil Spill in Michigan. Module 1 contains a Quiz that provides completion basis for that module in the Learning Center. The duration for Module 1 is 2.5 hours. Module 2 of the Course (due out later in April)  contains methods of getting stakeholder information useful for IDSS. The intended audience for Communicating Risks in High-Impact Events is all NWS staff who will be providing communication to Core partners to support various types of IDSS activities. The WDTB Course web site contains all useful information for implementation this training. (Brad Grant - POC). (03/22/12)
  
  



• COMET has published a new module titled Atmospheric Dust. This globally-relevant three-hour module takes a multifaceted approach to studying atmospheric dust storms. It is intended for operational forecasters in areas prone to or impacted by dust storms, as well as meteorology students. To access this module in the NWS Learning Center, click here. (03/19/12)
  
  



• NWSTC has released a new three-hour distance learning course, CHPS Simulation Configuration Training for RFC Simulation Focal Points. This course provides information on when, why, and how to use CHPS to create simulated weather experiences. (03/14/12)
  
  



• COMET has announced the publication of Gridded Forecast Verification and Bias Correction. This 1-hour module describes a verification process for gridded forecast data and uses a precipitation case to illustrate its application. This is the first module to be published as a part of the forthcoming NWP Course 3, "NWP in the Era of Digital Forecast Preparation".  To access this module in the NWS Learning Center, click here. (03/13/12)
  
  



• WDTB has released an updated version of the "Dual-Polarization Radar Training for NWS Partners" course.  This training, updated with lesson learned from the WSR-88D dual-polarization upgrade beta-test, has two different tracks: One for meteorologists not employed by the National Weather Service and one for non-meteorologists who use WSR-88D radar data regularly to perform their job duties.  More information on this course can be found at:  http://www.wdtb.noaa.gov/courses/dualpol/Outreach/index.html. (09/30/11)
  
  



• WDTB has published 3 RPG-based modules that complete the Dual-Polarization Radar Operations Course.  The new modules are focused on RPG System Operations and new RPG Dual-Polarization algorithms.  More information on these lessons and the Dual-Polarization Radar Operations Course can be found at: http://www.wdtb.noaa.gov/courses/dualpol/. (05/16/11)
  
  



• The Dual-Polarization Radar Operations Course and the Dual-Polarization Radar Principles and System Operations Course are now available from WDTB.