Observational Quality Control

NWS Instruction 10-1305: Observational Quality Control

NWS Instruction 10-1305, Observational Quality Control - General, defines the roles and responsibilities of the NWS in performing the quality control of manual and automated observations.

Instructions

Review NWS Instruction 10-1305 and then answer the questions below.

Review Questions - Click here to check your answers

Question 1

For each one of the quality control items listed below, indicate which level of NWS management (WSHQ, Regions, or WFO) is responsible for accomplishing the required task?

A. Routine data monitoring
B. Tracking trends and biases in the quality of observations
C. Remedial coordination with data providers
D. Evaluating the performance of all NWS levels in fulfilling their quality control responsibilities
E. Administering the observer certification program
F. Conducting station visitations and inspections

Question 2

Preventive quality control activities include:

A. Setting observing standards
B. Administering observer certification examinations
C. Providing on-the-job observer training
D. All of the above

Question 3

Corrective quality control activities include:

A. Real-time site level quality control prior to transmission of an observation
B. Near real-time area level quality control within 1 to 2 hours after an observation is transmitted
C. Post real-time national level oversight
D. All of the above

Question 4

What organization at NWS Headquarters is responsible for quality control?

A. Science and Operations Core of OM
B. Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services (OCWWS)
C. Data Quality Branch of OSO
D. Data Acquisition Group in OH

Question 5

Quality control at the regional level includes:

A. Scheduling cooperative program visits for local offices
B. Reviewing the observation certification program run by each WFO
C. Acting as COTR for NWS contract weather observers
D. Providing maintenance for observing equipment

Question 6

At a WFO, an effective quality control program will:

A. Provide on-the-job observer training
B. Station visitations
C. Monitoring and reviewing of data
D. All of the above

Question 7

Contract observers are trained by:

A. FAA
B. NWS
C. DOD
D. Private sector training facilities

Question 8

Contract observers are certified by:

A. FAA
B. NWS
C. DOD
D. Private sector training facilities

Question 9

How often should station visits be conducted to NWS sponsored stations to review the on-station observing program?

A. NWS Instruction 10 -1303
B. NWS Instruction B-60
C. NWS Instruction 10 -1001
D. NWS Instruction 20 -101

 Question 10

Quality control monitoring activities include:

A. Examining hourly observations
B. Garbled transmissions
C. Detecting unrepresentative observations
D. All of the above

Question 11

Quality control reviewing activities include:

A. Checking weather records
B. Responding in a timely and effective manner to quality control reports
C. Determining appropriate corrective actions
D. All of the above

Question 12

National system monitoring and maintenance action coordination for ASOS is the responsibility of:

A. ASOS Operations and Monitoring Center
B. Automated Surface Observing System
C. ASOS Observing Systems Branch
D. FAA Gateway Monitoring Center

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Updated 08/06/2007