PWF Needs Analysis 2020

Which Forecasting Office do you work at?

Are you aware that there are WMO recommended practices regarding Public Weather Forecasting?

Yes
No

Below, the WMO Recommended Practices for Public Weather forecasting will be presented to you by competency criteria. Please also read the competency document on the Moodle page you accessed to complete this survey for more clarity.

PWF Needs Analysis

Regarding Competency criteria 1: Analyse and monitor continually the evolving meteorological situation, which aspects do you feel you need refresher training in?

Understanding the key elements of synoptic and mesoscale Met
Application of theory, methods and practices of Met analysis and diagnosis
The ability to visualize/conceptualize met information in multiple dimensions
The influence of topography, land cover and bodies of water on local meteorology
Interpretation of in-situ and remote sensed observations and data
Understanding of the characteristics of meteorological sensors and instruments
Familiarity with the acquisition, processing and assimilation of Met data
Understanding of procedures, standards and technical regulations relating to observations and to forecast and warning products.

With regards to Satellite interpretation, do you need further training on basic remote sensing and MSG interpretation?

Yes
No

Do you require training on one or more of the following RGB's?

Do you require training on one or more of the following Mid latitude/synoptic system based RGB's and normal single channels?

Do you need training on one or more of the following Satellite Application facilities or Lightning output?

Indicate which fields if any that you need further training in RADAR interpretation for?

Regarding Competency criteria 2: Forecast Meteorolgical phenomena and parameters, in which areas would you need refresher training?

Knowledge of the methods used in NWP, including EPS
Knowledge of the strengths and weakness of NWP
Critical comparison of a variety of forecast models, obs data etc to forecast
Interpretation of model outputs at different time ranges
Determining which observational, model, contextual and impact information is most relevant, especially in very short range forecasting
Knowledge of the potential impacts of meteorological events on users and their decision-making processes

Are you confident in using the various NWP outputs availble to you, including the new UM SA4km and SA1.5km outputs?

Yes
No

Do you require any training on the following EPS based aspects?

EPS basic interpretation
Applying EPS output to your forecast
None

Are you confident in performing an NWP evaluation against realtime data sets?

Yes
No

Are you confident in comparing various model runs with one another (ie SA4km 00Z and SA4km 06Z for maximum temperature outputs)

Yes
No

Do you require training on any of the following aspects of NWP?

Basic NWP evaluation
Basic interpretation of NWP output fields
Using the NWP to find Public Weather related Alerts
Medium term forecasts using NWP
None

With regard to the 2 questions which follow, specific to the IBF warnings, please answer the questions from a forecasting skill view point. It is acknowledged that Meteofactory and IBF go hand-in-hand and the Meteofactory software utilization training will be addressed separately as a training need.

Regarding competency criteria 3: I would rate my confidence in using the IBF warning systems as:

Extremely confident (Understand to the level of being able to guide others)
Confident enough to work independently on warning products
Comfortable with the concept but rely on input from more experienced colleagues before submitting
Unsure of how to create a complete IBF warning and tend to avoid it when possible
I would rather leave IBF warnings to more confident colleagues all together

If continuous training for IBF warnings were developed, I would complete modules in:

Using the IBF risk matrix to derive a warning level
Understanding the IBF impact tables (Rainfall, wind, severe thunderstorms, snow, marine)
Determining the likelihood of an event taking place
Understanding the impact of weather events
Applying the sensitivity in determining the level of impact of the warning
Integrating data to understand the severity of events in my particular region/forecast area
Writing up the wording for the IBF warning
None of the above

The main thing I struggle with in IBF and would like some additional training in is:

Using Meteofactory to populate the message to send the warning
Knowing what wording to use in the different parts of the warning message
Deciding which hazard is best suited for the given scenario (eg. Between disruptive rain vs severe thunderstorms)
None of the above

Do you require training on any of the following software packages/visualisation software/outputs?

Meteofactory
SUMO
Titan
None

Regarding Competency criteria 5: Ensure quality of Meteorological information and services, in which areas would you need refresher training?

Apply the organization's quality management system and procedures.
Validate meteorological data, products, forecasts and warnings (timeliness, completeness, accuracy).
Assess the impacts of known error characteristics (bias, achievable accuracy of observations and sensing methods).
Contribute to case studies and post reviews as required, including the assimilation of user feedback and impact information.

Are you aware of where to find the correct templates and standard operating proceedures for your office?

Yes
No

Do you know when and how to make use of the SAWS "logacall" service?

Yes
No

Regarding Competency criteria 4: Communicate meteorological information to internal and external users, in which areas would you need refresher training?

Ensure that all forecast and warnings are disseminated through the authorised communication means and channels to designated user groups as specified in relevant standard operating procedures.
Explain meteorological data and information, including uncertainties where required.
Deliver briefings and provide consultation to meet specific user needs as required

Do you require training in any of the following communication methods:

Public speaking
Telephone etiquette
Inference writing
None

In your capcity as a forecaster, are you currently responsible for:

Initiating the writing of Media Releases (being the main author)
Only contributing to the content Media Releases
Only editing media releases
A combination of option 1, 2 & 3
A combination of option 2 & 3
None of the above

With regard to Media releases, I require training in:

The format of a Media Release
How to communicate the forecast in "Laymans terms"
How to summarize the forecast into a written document
Who to contact regarding the creation and distribution of a Media Release
None of the above

Are there any aspects of the Media Release (not captured above) which you would require training on?

If there are any other areas of training that you require, which have not been addressed in this survey, please list them below. Please be as specific as possible.

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