NOAA/National Weather Service's Chief Learning Office United States Department of Commerce
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Climate Services Professional Development Series

Advanced Climate Variability and Change Course Next Offering: To Be Determined
Location: NWS Training Center

Introduction Agenda Logistics Prerequisites Contact Information

Introduction

The three-day Advanced Climate Variability and Change Course (ACVCC) is oriented toward dedicated NWS climate services staff who are on track to become future climate science leaders in local offices. Participants can include Science and Operations Officers and Development and Operations Hydrologists from NWS local offices and RFCs; Climate Services Program Managers (CSPMs) and Science Services Division staff from the NWS Regional Headquarters; and exemplary Climate Services Focal Points. The course objectives include developing advanced climate science understanding and skills in three main areas:
  1. Climate variability and change modeling at various time and space scales;
  2. Approaches to regional and local climate studies based on existing climate analysis methods;
  3. Weather and water linkages to climate variability and change.

This residence training course is expected to equip dedicated NWS climate services staff with an advanced understanding of climate variability and change, climate modeling and downscaling, as well as impacts, mitigation, and adaptation related to local and global changes. Upon completing the course, the attendees should be prepared to participate as competent players in NOAA-wide scientific initiatives and contribute unique local climate expertise.

Prior to attending the residence course, attendees are required to have completed important prerequisite courses offered in 2006 or later. These include both the Operational Climate Services residence training and the Climate Variability and Change Virtual Course (2009-2011) or three-day Climate Variability course (2006-2008).

The residence course topics will include information related to:
  1. Climate modeling,
  2. Regional downscaling,
  3. IPCC scenarios,
  4. Attribution of extreme meteorological and hydrological events to climate variability and change,
  5. Approaches to both mitigation and adaptation, and
  6. Local Climate Studies.

Expected specific outcomes

Each trainee, upon completion of the residence training, should be able to:
  • Identify the most commonly referenced climate models and understand how to interpret results based on different IPCC scenarios.
  • Discuss the main principles of climate models, their strengths, and limitations;
  • Refer, with competence, local climate users to the appropriate source of climate models for individual local decision needs including decision support on climate timeframes;
  • Describe regional downscaling and how it can provide information at smaller and more local scales.
  • Understand downscaling climate models as tools for assessing local climate predictions and projections, and be familiar with the specifics, confidence, and uncertainty of these models;
  • Explain how meteorological and hydrological extremes relate to climate variability & climate change
  • Know the process and resources for attributing extreme events and seasonal patterns to climate phenomena;
  • Describe the current science knowledge related to climate adaptation and mitigation approaches at national and local levels, including NOAA's roles and activities.
  • Extend the NOAA process of timely and accurate climate data and methods to local climate studies.

As with other NWSTC courses, you will be asked to take an active role in evaluating this course so we can continue improve it from year to year.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions regarding the course preparation, material, or logistics. We hope you have a good and enjoyable learning experience.

Course Organizing Team:

NOAA team:
Alan Cope
Victor Murphy
Clinton Rockey
Marina Timofeyeva
Richard Thoman
Bill Ward
Ray Wolf