U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Silver Spring, Md. 20910 W/OTS21x1
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCEFebruary 25, 1983
TO: All Holders of Operations Manual
SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 83-l
1. Material Transmitted:
WSOM Chapter B-60, Observational Quality Control - General.
2. Summary:
This chapter describes general quality control policy as it applies to stations staffed by National Weather Service (NWS) personnel. The significant points of this chapter are:
Quality control personnel and their responsibilities at the national, regional, and field levels are defined (3.1 ).
The recommended quality control program is broken up into five areas: station visitation, records checking, monitoring/reviewing, observer training, and observer certification (5.1-5.5).
The policies stated in this chapter are believed to be reasonable and necessary in reaching the observational quality control objectives of the NWS.
3. Effect on Other Instructions:
This chapter cancels WSOM Chapter B-60, Observational Quality Control - General, TM 68-34, dated September 10, 1968.
Richard E. Hallgren
Acting Assistant Administrator
for Weather Services
Issue Date Org. Code NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Part Chap.
2-25-83 OTS21x1 Operations Manual B 60
OBSERVATIONAL QUALITY CONTROL - GENERAL
Table of Contents:
1. Objectives
2. General
3. Definitions
5. Recommended Quality Control Program
5.1 Station Visitations
5.2 Checking Weather Records - General
5.2.1 Use of NCDC
5.3 Monitoring and Reviewing
l. Objectives. The objective of the observational quality control program is to establish an effective system for continually monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating weather observations.
2. General. The National Weather Service (NWS) is the primary agency which supplies the basic weather data required by other agencies and the general public. Weather analysis and forecasts are dependent on the quality of observational data taken and filed at prescribed times. The accuracy of climatological records is dependent on the quality of observations. The observational program must conform to standards which will result in comparable and uniform weather reports. These demands can be met in part by a thorough and effective quality control program.
3. Definitions. The following definitions will apply to all observational quality control chapters in Part B of this manual.
3.l Quality Control Personnel. Accurate, timely data are the responsibility of all NWS personnel. Quality control personnel are meteorologists or meteorological technicians whose duties include managing and directing the quality control program of weather data acquisition networks. Station personnel supervising Supplemental Aviation Weather Reporting Stations (SAWRS), paid aviation, and other observation programs are also considered quality control personnel. Personnel acting in a quality control capacity should be certificated in the program/ observations they are reviewing.
At the national level, quality control personnel evaluate the observational performance of all Weather Service Offices. At the regional level, Data Acquisition (DATAC) personnel are primarily responsible for quality control. At field offices the area manager or designees are the focal points for quality control.
3.2 Supervising Station. This is a Weather Service Forecast Office (WSFO) or Weather Service Office (WSO) acting as the supervising office for a group of SAWRS, paid aviation, Automatic Meteorological Observing Systems (AMOS), Remote Automatic Meteorological Observing System (RAMOS), Automatic Observing Station (AUTOB), and other observational stations. The term also includes Port Meteorological Offices and offices under the management of the Overseas Operations Division.
4. Responsibility and Organization. The following paragraphs outline the quality control responsibilities of NWS and regional headquarters.
4.1 National Weather Service Headquarters (WSH). The WSH will establish policies, procedures, and standards for the guidance of the regional headquarters and the Overseas Operations Division in maintaining an observational quality control program. The Data Systems Division, WSH, will perform any necessary liaison at the national level with other offices of NOAA and with other government agencies in reference to quality control requirements and procedures.
4.2 Regional Headquarters. The regional headquarters are responsible for administering the observational quality control program within their region in accordance with the policies, procedures, and standards as set forth by WSH and as outlined in this chapter and elsewhere in Part B of this manual. They may issue supplements to these chapters as required, depending on their individual needs. A copy of all supplementary instructions should be forwarded to WSH for review. Personnel acting in a quality control capacity will forward all quality control forms/reports to the Data Acquisition Division of the regional headquarters.
5. Recommended Quality Control Program. The primary means through which the quality of observational data is maintained are station visitations, records checking, station monitoring/ reviewing, observer training, and observer certification.
5.1 Station Visitations. Stations of all types must be visited periodically by the regional DATAC and the area manager's designated quality control personnel. This provides direct means of communications between the regional headquarters and field offices as well as an effective means of improving observational data. Guidelines for station visitations are found in WSOM Chapters B-66, B-67, B-68, and B-73.
5.2 Checking Weather Records - General. Checking weather records to ensure their accuracy prior to forwarding to National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) is a valuable quality control function. It can also be a valuable training aid if personnel realize why the errors detected were made and understand that there is often a great expenditure of personnel time between the observations as transmitted and the observations as corrected by NCDC which finally become the official record. Analysis of the records may show the relative abilities of the observer and may clearly point out observers deserving commendations and those requiring additional training. Errors may show where equipment needs improving and where instructions contained in the observing manuals require clarification. In cases where errors point to inadequate instructions or faulty equipment, documentation should be forwarded to regional headquarters for further action. If the required action is not within the regional scope, the documentation should then be forwarded to WSH with any recommendations or suggestions that may be appropriate. Also, an observation that is good in terms of detectable errors but is poor in terms of completely describing existing conditions should not be overlooked.
5.2.1 Use of NCDC. The regional headquarters are encouraged to use the Monthly Quality Control Evaluation of Surface Observations, Monthly Upper Air Verification Report, Radiosonde Observations (RAOB) and Rawinsonde Observations (RAWIN) Procedures, and any other reports received from NCDC in improving the quality of observational data.
5.3 Monitoring and Reviewing. The program for monitoring and reviewing, on a real-time basis, the observations received over the communications network will be outlined in WSOM Chapter B-62, "Monitoring and Reviewing," (when printed).
5.4 Observer Training. Observer training programs are necessary to ensure standard observational procedures and timely, accurate data. Guidelines for observer training will be set forth in Part I. Formal training is conducted at the National Weather Service Training Center, Kansas City, Missouri, and at the FAA Academy, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
5.5 Certification of Observers. Certification of observers will be in accordance with WSOM Chapter B-61, "Certification of Observers." The Data Systems Division, WSH establishes certification standards. Regional headquarters, Overseas Operations, and the Weather Coordinator, Meteorological Training, FAA Academy administer the program.
6. Forms and Reports - General. Reports should be unbiased, factual, and complete. They should not be stereotyped; however, they should contain, at least, the following:
A frank appraisal of the effectiveness of the observational program as conducted at the station. Statements of outstanding performance should be noted and, whenever appropriate, a description of innovations used at the station which are worthy of adoption elsewhere should be included.
Corrective actions taken while at the station and a listing of recommended corrective actions to be taken by the station or by others at a later date and which may require follow up. Include any appropriate supporting information in reference to the items and indicate which office is to initiate action.
Additional remarks, comments, or general information which will help complete the picture of the observational program or which may be of interest to the regional headquarters or to NWS Headquarters.
6.1 Disposition of Forms and Reports. Instructions for the disposition of forms and reports are contained in the relevant quality control chapters in Part B of this manual and the NOAA Filing-Disposition Handbook.
WSOM Issuance
83-1 2-25-83