PSL Researchers Provide Instruction to NWS Personnel


August 29, 2006

Class in session at COMET facility. Researchers from the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratories, Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) are supporting the alignment of NOAA research and operations, and further development of NOAA climate services by providing instruction to National Weather Service (NWS) personnel at a three-day Climate Variability Workshop, August 29-31, 2006. This is the 8th year PSL personnel have provided expertise to the workshop, which is the residence component of the NWS Professional Development Series and held at the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training (COMET) facility in Boulder, Colorado. Extensive background training will be provided in:

  • the difference between climate and weather;
  • statistical techniques used in climate studies, including analyses of local climatology;
  • dynamics, physical mechanisms, and impacts of climate variability phenomena, including El Niño / La Niña, Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO), tropical forcing, and teleconnection indices;
  • the science behind and limitations of Climate Prediction Center (CPC) climate prediction products; and
  • the physical and feedback mechanisms involved in global climate change.

Background:
The purpose of the Professional Development Series is to facilitate NWS field staff's understanding and application of climate products and services. Attendees will include NWS Science and Operations Officers (SOOs), climate focal points from NWS Forecast Offices (WFOs) and Regional Forecast Centers (RFCs), and climate focal personnel from NWS Headquarters.

Significance:
OAR and NWS together form NOAA's Atmosphere Team, which strives to take the lead in research and operations for weather, water, and climate. PSL furthers these efforts by helping to provide this educational forum for NWS personnel to learn about regional to global aspects of climate variability and forecasts, and by becoming more familiar with the climate information needs and interests of NWS offices.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ucar.edu)

Contact: Klaus Weickmann More Information:
- 2006 Climate Variability Workshop
- COMET Classroom Education