Marine Professional Development Series

• PCU 2: Forecasting the Marine Environment

  Description of Job Competency to be Achieved:
  Marine weather forecasters at coastal and Great Lakes Weather Forecast Offices and National Centers must be proficient in forecasting wind and wave conditions in the marine environment. Forecasters will learn how to recognize the importance of surface winds (direction and speed), wind-produced waves and associated coastal and lakeshore hazards (e.g. rough surf, coastal flooding, and rip currents), and other weather conditions which may pose a threat to mariners and residents/visitors in and near the shoreline (including fog and other restrictions to visibility and other potential weather hazards, depending on location).

  • Core Instructional Components
    • IC from Skill 1.1 [CORE for all]: "Winds in the Marine Boundary Layer: A Forecaster's Guide" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 1.2 [CORE for all]: "Thermally-Forced Circulation I: Sea Breezes" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 1.3 [CORE for West Coast and Alaska WFOs]: "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 1.4 [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 1.5 [CORE for Alaska WFOs, Great Lakes WFOs, and OPC]: "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 2.1 [CORE for all]: "Wave Types and Characteristics" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 2.2 [CORE for all]: "Wave Life Cycle I: Generation" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 2.3 [CORE for all]: "Wave Life Cycle II: Propagation and Dispersion" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 2.4 [CORE for all]: "Shallow Water Waves" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 2.5 [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 3.1 [CORE for coastal and Great Lakes WFOs]: "Rip Currents: Nearshore Fundamentals" (COMET Module)
    • IC from Skill 4.1 [CORE for all]: "Assessing Climatology in Fog/Stratus Forecasting" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
    • IC from Skill 4.1 [CORE for all]: "Dynamically Forced Fog" (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
  • Ability 1. Forecast wind in the marine environment.
    • Skill 1.1. Demonstrate knowledge of marine boundary layer; how it differs from the terrestrial boundary layer; and how it's unique structure and characteristics influence winds in marine areas.
      "Winds in the Marine Boundary Layer: A Forecaster's Guide" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Outline the major differences between boundary layer winds in marine and terrestrial environments. [TRAINING] "Winds in the Marine Boundary Layer: A Forecaster's Guide" (Section: "Overview of MBL") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Understand surface wind differences in stable and unstable marine boundary layers. [TRAINING] "Winds in the Marine Boundary Layer: A Forecaster's Guide" (Section: "Stability Effects") (COMET Module)
      • IC: Understand how stability profiles change both seasonally and diurnally. [TRAINING] "Winds in the Marine Boundary Layer: A Forecaster's Guide" (Section: "Stability Effects") (COMET Module)
      • IC: Assess the impact of isallobaric wind effects in marine environments. [TRAINING] "Winds in the Marine Boundary Layer: A Forecaster's Guide" (Section: "Isallobaric Effects") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Identify the main impacts of severe convection on marine winds. [TRAINING] "Winds in the Marine Boundary Layer: A Forecaster's Guide" (Section: "Severe Convection") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe known model biases with respect to winds in marine environments. [TRAINING] "Winds in the Marine Boundary Layer: A Forecaster's Guide" (Section: "Severe Convection") (COMET Module)
    • Skill 1.2. Apply knowledge of sea breezes to surface wind forecasts near coastlines.
      "Thermally-Forced Circulation I: Sea Breezes" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe when and where sea breezes form. [TRAINING] "Thermally-Forced Circulation I: Sea Breezes" (Section: "Overview; Circulation") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Characterize sea breezes in terms of their strength, and their horizontal / vertical extent. [TRAINING] "Thermally-Forced Circulation I: Sea Breezes" (Section: "Overview; Circulation") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: List the primary factors leading to formation of sea breezes. [TRAINING] "Thermally-Forced Circulation I: Sea Breezes" (Section: "Overview; Circulation") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Outline possible sensible weather associated with the formation and passage of a sea breeze front. [TRAINING] "Thermally-Forced Circulation I: Sea Breezes" (Section: "Overview; Circulation") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe the main limitations of numerical prediction models with respect to sea breezes. [TRAINING] "Thermally-Forced Circulation I: Sea Breezes" (Section: "Forecasting") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe how satellite imagery can be used to help detect sea breezes. [TRAINING] "Thermally-Forced Circulation I: Sea Breezes" (Section: "Forecasting") (COMET Module)
    • Skill 1.3. Apply knowledge of coastal jets to surface wind forecasts.
      "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast and Alaska WFOs]: Describe where coastal jets typically form, their basic physical characteristics (size and strength), and potential impacts on the marine forecast. [TRAINING] "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (Section: "Features") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Describe the basic conditions leading to formation of coastal jets (synoptic, boundary layer, and influences of coastal topography). [TRAINING] "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (Section: "Features") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Explain the basic thermal structure and forcing mechanisms of coastal jets (including including marine boundary layer and baroclinic aspects). [TRAINING] "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (Section: "Thermal Forcing") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Identify most favorable regions (worldwide) for formation of coastal jets. [TRAINING] "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (Section: "Thermal Forcing") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Given typical formation areas for coastal jets (e.g. California coast), identify locations of maximum / minimum wind speeds. [TRAINING] "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (Section: "Thermal Forcing") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Describe how wind speed correlates with mesoscale variations in sea level pressure and marine boundary layer thickness. [TRAINING] "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (Section: "Thermal Forcing") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: On a synoptic scale, describe the basic structure leading to coastal jet formation at the surface and aloft (850 mb). [TRAINING] "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (Section: "Thermal Forcing") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: On the mesoscale, highlight areas prone to local wind maxima within a coastal jet. [TRAINING] "Low-Level Coastal Jets" (Section: "Forecasting") (COMET Module)
    • Skill 1.4. Apply knowledge of the structure and climatology of "coastal trapped wind reversals" (CTWRs) to surface wind forecasts.
      "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Describe how (and why) key meteorological changes associated with the passage of CTWRs occur (pressure, temperature, wind). [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Characteristics") (COMET Module)
      • IC: Identify (on a global map) most likely areas for CTWRs. [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Characteristics") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: State typical frequency of CTWRs. [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Characteristics") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Describe the basic vertical structure of a CTWR. [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Characteristics") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Describe the basic synoptic-scale evolution of CTWRs (including MSLP, 850 mb, and 500 mb changes). [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Synoptic Evolution") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Describe the influence of coastal mountain ranges on CTWRs). [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Mesoscale Evolution") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: List the key synoptic-scale indicators of potential CTWR formation. [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Forecasting") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Describe where offshore lows typically form, with respect to low-level offshore flow. [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Forecasting") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for West Coast WFOs]: Describe where stratus surges typically initiate with respect to the offshore low. [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Forecasting") (COMET Module)
      • IC: Describe the use and limitations of mesoscale numerical prediction models with respect to CTWRs. [TRAINING] "Coastally-Trapped Wind Reversals" (Section: "Forecasting") (COMET Module)
    • Skill 1.5. Analyze and forecast surface wind in Arctic marine environments.
      "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs and OPC]: Comprehend the prevailing atmospheric wind patterns of the Arctic basin and correlate them to acute storm system formation and onsets. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs]: Map the geography surrounding the Arctic and connect it with prevailing wind patterns. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
    • Skill 1.6. Discover the phenomena affecting (or are affected by) wind patterns in Arctic maritime environments.
      "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs and OPC]: Describe the different types of sea ice, their seasonality, and significance to wind forecasts in Arctic waters. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs]: Become familiar with the structure and frequency of Polar Lows in the US Arctic, as well as the known best-practice forecasting techniques. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs and OPC]: Recognize the patterns and interconnections of the Arctic oscillation. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
    • Skill 1.7. Elaborate as to how interactions of wind patterns and ocean currents can impact navigation at sea.
      "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs and OPC]: Understand the role of ocean currents, coupled with wind patterns, regarding the formation of fog and boundary layer mixing. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs and OPC]: Explain the Arctic ocean current connections between the Atlantic and Pacific, and their effects on the formation of sea ice. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
  • Ability 2. Understand wind-generated waves and apply wave models to marine forecasts.
    • Skill 2.1. Describe basic wave types and their associated characteristics.
      "Wave Types and Characteristics" (COMET Module).
      • IC [CORE for all]: Outline basic wave types. [TRAINING] "Wave Types and Characteristics" (Section: "Wave Types") (COMET Module).
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe the physical characteristics of the basic wave types. [TRAINING] "Wave Types and Characteristics" (Section: "Physical Traits") (COMET Module).
      • IC: Interpret the basic mathematical relationships governing wave behavior. [TRAINING] "Wave Types and Characteristics" (Section: "Mathematical Traits") (COMET Module).
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe the basic statistical traits of waves, including wave spectrum and height classifications. [TRAINING] "Wave Types and Characteristics" (Section: "Statistical Traits") (COMET Module).
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe the basic processes pertaining to swell travel and dispersal. [TRAINING] "Wave Types and Characteristics" (Section: "Swell Traits") (COMET Module).
    • Skill 2.2. Understand how wind generates waves, including the fundamental relationships between
      wind speed, duration, fetch length, and the concept of "fully-developed seas".
      "Wave Life Cycle I: Generation" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe how wind speed, fetch, and wind duration affect wave growth. [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle I: Generation" (COMET Module) (Sections: "Wind Speed", "Fetch", and "Wind Duration")
      • IC: Demonstate how wave nomograms are used to estimate wave height. [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle I: Generation" (COMET Module) (Section: "Wind Speed")
      • IC [CORE for all]: Define "dynamic fetch" and describe situations where it might occur. [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle I: Generation" (COMET Module) (Section: "Fetch")
        • IC: Dynamic Fetch Case Studies (recorded file- wmv). [RESOURCE]
      • IC [CORE for all]: Define "fully developed seas"; describe the basic conditions necessary to attain them. [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle I: Generation" (COMET Module) (Section: "Fully Developed Seas")
      • IC [CORE for all]: List common sources of wind observations and their basic capabilities. [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle I: Generation" (COMET Module) (Section: "Observations")
      • IC: Use of Radar Altimeter Data to Diagnose Wave Model Initialization and Improve Short Term Wave Height Forecasting (recorded file - wmv) [RESOURCE]
    • Skill 2.3. Understand basic concepts of swell propagation and dispersion, i.e. how waves change (e.g. height, period, steepness) as they move away from their generation area.
      "Wave Life Cycle II: Propagation and Dispersion" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe how "seas" and "swell" are different from one another. [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle II: Propagation and Dispersion" (Section: "Introduction") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe how swell propagates directionally. [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle II: Propagation and Dispersion" (Section: "Propagation") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe how diffraction affects swell (e.g. interaction with islands). [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle II: Propagation and Dispersion" (Section: "Propagation") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe how swell changes as it moves away from its generation area (in terms of period, height, and steepness changes). [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle II: Propagation and Dispersion" (Section: "Dispersion") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Given initial location and destination, and initial wave parameters, demonstrate ability to forecast swell travel time, i.e. length of time for a given swell system to impact a destination. [TRAINING] "Wave Life Cycle II: Propagation and Dispersion" (Section: "Dispersion") (COMET Module)
    • Skill 2.4. Understand how wave behavior changes near coastlines (shallow water wave behavior).
      "Shallow Water Waves" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for all]: Define "shoaling", "refraction", and "reflection". [TRAINING] "Shallow Water Waves" (Section: "Shallow-Water Wave Effects") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: Identify and distinguish between common breaker types (based on bathymetry). [TRAINING] "Shallow Water Waves" (Section: "Breakers") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for national centers]: Describe how waves and currents interact. [TRAINING] "Shallow Water Waves" (Section: Wave-Current Interactions") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: Define "wave run-up" and "wave set-up". [TRAINING] "Shallow Water Waves" (Section: "Coastal Effects") (COMET Module)
    • Skill 2.5. Demonstrate how to use WAVEWATCH III model data in the marine forecast.
      "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: Describe the types of waves predicted by WAVEWATCH III. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (Section: "What Wave Models Predict") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: Interpret WAVEWATCH III "spectral plots". [TRAINING] "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (Sections: "What Wave Models Predict" and "Products") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: List the specific parameters forecast by WAVEWATCH III. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (Sections: "What Wave Models Predict" and "Products") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: Interpret WAVEWATCH III "spectral bulletins". [TRAINING] "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (Section: "Products") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: List (and describe) map-based (2-D) products provided by WAVEWATCH III. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (Section: "Products") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: Describe the "spectral partitioning" capabilities in WAVEWATCH III. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (Section: "Spectral Partitioning") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: Describe where in the world's oceans the greatest number of partitioned wave fields are found, and why. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (Section: "Products; Partitioned Wave Fields") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: Identify the sources of wind data as input to WAVEWATCH III. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (Section: "Model Versions") (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs, OPC, and TPC]: Describe the benefits of running WAVEWATCH III with winds from Hurricane models and from forecaster-generated NDFD grids. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III" (Section: "Hurricanes") (COMET Module)
    • Skill 2.6. Understand inputs, outputs, and operational use of the "Nearshore Wave Prediction System" in marine forecast operations.
      "Operational Use of the Nearshore Wave Prediction System" (FDTB Module -- pending completion)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: List the primary inputs to the NWPS. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of the Nearshore Wave Prediction System" (FDTB Module -- pending completion)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: Briefly describe the concepts of wave "partitioning" and "spatial/temporal tracking" in the NWPS. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of the Nearshore Wave Prediction System" (FDTB Module -- pending completion)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: List the primary sources of error in the NWPS. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of the Nearshore Wave Prediction System" (FDTB Module -- pending completion)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: Describe how the marine forecaster should interpret "Gerling-Hanson Plots" and how they should be used in wave forecasting. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of the Nearshore Wave Prediction System" (FDTB Module -- pending completion)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: Describe how to populate wave forecast grids with output from the NWPS. [TRAINING] "Operational Use of the Nearshore Wave Prediction System" (FDTB Module -- pending completion)
    • Skill 2.7. Understand "North Wall" effects on winds and waves (along eastern coastlines).
      "North Wall Effects on Winds and Waves" (COMET Module)
      • IC: Identify (and describe) the synoptic pattern typically associated with "North Wall" events. [TRAINING] "North Wall Effects on Winds and Waves" (Section 2.1 "Synoptic Setting") (COMET Module)
      • IC: List the essential oceanographic conditions which favor developement of "North Wall" events. [TRAINING] "North Wall Effects on Winds and Waves" (Section 2.2 "Oceanography") (COMET Module)
      • IC: Describe the evolution of the Marine Boundary Layer during a cold season North Wall event, and during warm and cold advection situations. [TRAINING] "North Wall Effects on Winds and Waves" (Section: 3.3 "MBL Stability") (COMET Module)
      • IC: List the main factors of wave growth, and the limitations of wave models to predict wave growth in North Wall events. [TRAINING] "North Wall Effects on Winds and Waves" (Section 5.5 "Wave Growth") (COMET Module)
      • IC: Describe wave-current interactions leading to wave growth. [TRAINING] "North Wall Effects on Winds and Waves" (Section 5.6 "Wave-Current Interactions") (COMET Module)
    • Skill 2.8. Be knowledgable of techniques for forecasting waves in Arctic marine environments (with respect to effects of sea ice and other pertinent factors).
      "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs and OPC]: Understand the definition of the sea ice edge and its importance regarding wave forecasts. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs and OPC]: Explore how ocean waves (long and short period swells) interact with the sea ice edge - constructive and destructive interference. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs and OPC]: Describe the significance of seasonal ice variations to wave forecasts in Arctic waters. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
    • Skill 2.9. Examine and analyze the freezing rate of sea spray and its hazard potential.
      "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
      • IC [CORE for Alaska WFOs, Great Lakes WFOs, and OPC]: Recognize the threat of freezing sea spray, and summarize the conditions under which it is prevalent. [TRAINING] "Arctic Meteorology and Oceanography" (COMET Module)
  • Ability 3. Understand rip current concepts.
    • Skill 3.1. Understand fundamental concepts of rip currents, including near-shore circulation (and associated terminology, characteristics, and forcing mechanisms).
      "Rip Currents: Nearshore Fundamentals" (COMET Module)
      • [CORE for coastal and Great Lakes WFOs] 4.1.1 IC Describe the various zones, bathymetry features, and currents in the nearshore environment. [TRAINING]
        "Rip Currents: Nearshore Fundamentals" (Section: "Nearshore Terminology and Circulation") (COMET Module)
      • [CORE for coastal and Great Lakes WFOs] 4.1.2 IC: Describe shallow water / nearshore wave and circulation processes. [TRAINING]
        "Rip Currents: Nearshore Fundamentals" (Section: "Rip Currents") (COMET Module)
      • [CORE for coastal and Great Lakes WFOs] 4.1.3 IC: Describe rip current characteristics and forcing mechanisms. [TRAINING]
        "Rip Currents: Nearshore Fundamentals" (Section: "Rip Currents") (COMET Module)
    • Skill 3.2. Understand how rip currents form (with emphasis on factors most important to the
      forecaster's local area) and how to apply observed/model data to help anticipate the risk of rip current formation.
      "Rip Currents: Forecasting" (COMET Module)
      • IC: Describe the important factors contributing to rip current risk. [TRAINING] "Rip Currents: Forecasting" (Section: "Rip Current Forecast Process") (COMET Module)
      • IC: Describe a process and resources which can be used to develop a local rip current forecast scheme. [TRAINING] "Rip Currents: Forecasting" (Section: "Rip Current Forecast Process") (COMET Module)
      • IC: Given wave data, determine whether wave masking is occurring and what the appropriate swell or wave components are to assess rip current risk. [TRAINING] "Rip Currents: Forecasting" (Section: "Analyzing Swell: Wave Model Data") (COMET Module)
      • IC: Describe factors, other than swell and wind waves, that can alter rip current risk. [TRAINING] "Rip Currents: Forecasting" (Section: "Other Factors") (COMET Module)
  • Ability 4. Understand other significant marine weather phenomena and hazards.
    • Skill 4.1. Understand basic concepts of fog formation in marine environments.

      In addition to the modules listed for the ICs below, the following COMET module is recommended for west coast offices:
      "West Coast Fog" (available at: https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_module.php?id=15 ).

      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe how climate data can be applied to the marine forecast process. "Assessing Climatology in Fog/Stratus Forecasting" (Section: "Climatology Applications") (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe the differences in synoptic and marine boundary layer environments for advection fog, steam fog, and (for west coast WFOs) "west coast" fog. "Dynamically Forced Fog" (Section: "Concepts") (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe the relationship of sea surface temperature (and local variations in sea surface temperature) to fog formation for advection fog, steam fog, and (for west coast WFOs) "west coast" fog. "Dynamically Forced Fog" (Section: "Concepts") (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe the importance of subtropical high pressure systems in the formation of advection fog. "Dynamically Forced Fog" (Section: "Concepts") (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for all]: Identify (on a global map) areas most prone to advection fog. "Dynamically Forced Fog" (Section: "Concepts") (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for west coast WFOs]: Describe how coastal jets affect fog formation and dissipation. "Dynamically Forced Fog" (Section: "Mesoscale Factors") (COMET Module) [TRAINING}
      • IC [CORE for all]: Describe how sea breezes affect fog formation and dissipation. "Dynamically Forced Fog" (Section: "Mesoscale Factors") (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for all]: List at least four critical atmospheric fields to monitor in plan view when forecasting fog. "Dynamically Forced Fog" (Section: "Forecasting DFF") (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for all]: Explain the limitations of numerical weather prediction models in fog forecasting. "Dynamically Forced Fog" (Section: "Forecasting DFF") (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
      • IC: Demonstrate ability to assess potential for fog formation (and intensity and duration) by applying observational data (in-situ and remote) and common forecast tools. "Applying Diagnostic Tools: Forecasting Fog and Low Stratus" ("Advection Fog Case", "Radiation Fog Case", and "Summary of Tools") (COMET Module) [TRAINING]
      • IC: Marine Fog Forecasting (Joint Environment Canada-NWS Recorded Webinar) [RESOURCE]
    • Skill 4.2. Understand basic concepts of coastal Flooding and Storm Surge.
      (Training Needed: PNS # 13-ME52)
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: List and describe the primary causes of coastal flooding with respect to tropical and extratropical cyclones. [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: Identify geographical areas most prone to tropical and extratropical storm surge. [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: Define key terminology associated with surge (e.g. "storm surge," "storm tide," "total water level," etc.). [TRAINING]
      • IC [CORE for coastal WFOs]: Describe the role of astronomic tides (i.e. normal ocean tide cycle) with respect to surge. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Identify appropriate numerical weather prediction tools and guidance sources for surge, including their principal strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Understand how to interpret extratropical storm surge model guidance. [TRAINING]
    • Skill 4.3. Understand basic concepts of convection in Marine Environments.
      (Training Needed: PNS # 13-ME47)
      • IC: List and describe the primary hazards (direct and indirect) to mariners associated with convective storms in marine environments.
      • IC: Describe the importance of the marine boundary layer and sea surface temperatures as contributing factors to development, or modification, of convective storms in marine environments.
      • IC: Describe the importance of the major ocean current systems (e.g. Gulf Stream) with respect to their effects on convective development / modification.
    • Skill 4.4. Understand basic concepts of tsunamis.
      "Tsunamis" (COMET Module)
      • IC: Describe the primary ways in which tsunamis are formed. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Explain the importance of "depth" (beneath the ocean floor) with respect to tsunami formation. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Identify (on a global map) the major oceanic tsunami source regions. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Explain in basic terms how the NWS Tsunami Warning Centers INITIALLY detect the potential for tsunami formation. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Explain the primary methods by which a tsunami is actually detected and measured, both in the open ocean and at the shoreline. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Indicate a typical range of wavelengths and amplitudes for tsunamis in deep water. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Explain why a tsunami is a "series of waves", and why the initial wave is not typically the largest (highest amplitude). [TRAINING]
      • IC: State the approximate speed at which tsunamis travel in deep water. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Given a tsunami source location and destination, estimate the approximate arrival time for the initial tsunami wave. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Describe how tsunami wavelength, amplitude, and speed change as they transition from deep water to shallower water. [TRAINING]
      • IC: Define "run-up". [TRAINING]
      • IC: Define "inundation zone". [TRAINING]
      • IC: Explain the importance of tsunami-induced currents in harbors, bays, and other coastal waterways, and associated potential hazards as a result of these currents. [TRAINING]