Hydrology Professional Development Series (PDS) 1 : Provide Hydrologic Services

PCU 4: Provide hydrologic and hydrometeorological products and services

Producers:
Jeff Zimmerman, SCH / SH
Jill Hardy, OCLO

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs):
Michael Garrison, HFP, WFO Birmingham, AL
Troy Lindquist, Senior Service Hydrologist, WFO Boise, ID
Greg Hanson, Service Hydrologist, WFO Burlington, VT

Description of Job Competency to be Achieved :
Prepare hydrologic and hydrometeorological data and information, including watches, warnings, and advisories, for delivery to partners and users.

Description of Need :
NWS provides hydrologic and hydrometeorological watches, warnings, advisories and other information encompassing all aspects of hydrologic conditions, from drought to flood, to protect life and property and support the nation’s economic well-being.

Abilities/Performance Elements:

Ability 1. Evaluate the hydrologic and hydrometeorological forecast information (i.e., streamflow, FFG, snow, precipitation/temperature). Skill 1.1. Assess the real-time situation in order to determine impacts to stakeholder thresholds and threats to life and property. IC Title: Anticipating Hazardous Weather and Community Risk, 2nd Edition Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 1.2. Identify and, where possible, correct data problems IC Title: Precipitation Estimates, Part 2: Analysis Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 1.3. Identify impacts of ice and ice jams on river gage measurements IC Title: River Ice Processes Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 1.4. Compare current forecasts to observed data, trends, and predefined thresholds using the following tools (and other similar tools) in order to determine whether to issue a hydrologic product: FFMP IC Title: Warning Operations Using FFMP Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com FLASH IC Title: FLASH Best Practices Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/Location: https://doc.csod.com Time Series IC Title: WHFS User Hydro Time Series Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com River Monitor IC Title: WHFS User River Monitor Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Site Specific Headwater Model Skill 1.5. Examine precipitation estimates and precipitation forecasts using the following products (and similar products) in order to evaluate hydrologic forecasts: Radar Precipitation Estimation IC Title: QPE Rainfall Products Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: PPS Rainfall Products Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com MPE IC Title: Precipitation Estimates, Part 2: Analysis Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com FFMP IC Title: Warning Operations Using FFMP Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com HPE, Bias HPE, and HPN IC Title: Introduction to the High-Resolution Precipitation Nowcaster (HPN) Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: High-resolution Precipitation Estimator (HPE) and Bias HPE Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Using HPN in AWIPS Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com National Mosaic and Multi-Sensor QPE (NMQ) Auto-Nowcaster Other mesoscale models CAVE/D2D Graphical Forecast Editor (GFE) Skill 1.6. Evaluate radar bias calculations to ensure quality of precipitation estimates based on that bias (e.g., the correction used in Bias HPE). IC Title: Interpreting QPE Bias Information in AWIPS Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 1.7. Evaluate flash flood guidance against observed precipitation and short term precipitation forecast to determine flash flood potential IC Title: Flash Flood Hydrology Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Warning Operations Using FFMP Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 1.8. Collaborate between/with the HPC, RFC and WFO to assess forecast uncertainty or accuracy IC Title: The MetWatch Desk at the Weather Prediction Center Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: The Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting (QPF) Program at the WPC Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 1.9. Use NWS (WFO and RFC) and partnering agency web services to examine various data in comparison with current hydrologic forecasts Skill 1.10. Evaluate probabilistic hydrometeorological information, including the following products, in order to determine whether to issue hydrologic watch/warning/advisory products: NCEP Ensembles Storm Track Products Precipitation Products MMEFS, HEFS, ESP IC Title: Introduction to Ensemble Streamflow Prediction Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Techniques in Hydrologic Forecast Verification Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com HPC Guidance pages

Ability 2. Communicate probabilistic forecast and uncertainty information to stakeholders. Skill 2.1. Explain probabilistic forecasts and uncertainty information to ensure stakeholder understanding. IC Title: Introduction to Ensemble Streamflow Prediction Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Introduction to Ensemble Prediction Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Ensemble Forecasting Explained Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Introduction to Verification of Hydrologic Forecasts Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Techniques in Hydrologic Forecast Verification Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: River Flood Warning Verification Program Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 2.2. Use appropriate tools (e.g., Ensemble Streamflow Prediction Analysis and Display Program ESPADP, graphics generator, etc.) to produce and transmit probabilistic forecast information

Ability 3. Create and transmit appropriate data and forecast information including routine Decision Support services. Skill 3.1. Use appropriate product formatters to produce data and forecast products and transmit over AWIPS to the NWSTG Skill 3.2. Deliver data and forecast information to web pages for dissemination to a broad base of customers. Skill 3.3. Use AHPS Web Pages to deliver hydrologic observations and forecasts by: Ensuring information in the AHPS CMS is properly defined to deliver and display appropriate observed and forecast information, as well as site meta-data. Ensuring AWIPS is properly configured to obtain all necessary information and deliver it to the AHPS web pages. IC Title: WHFS User Introduction to Hydrology Software in AWIPS Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 3.4. Create appropriate Weather Stories/Graphicasts/web page headlines to convey necessary hydrologic information to customers. Skill 3.5. Post hydrological event discussions and updates on Social Media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) to convey hydrologic information to customers. Skill 3.6. Deliver forecast information to water management agencies to support their water management operations and decisions by: Developing and implementing data/forecast exchange protocols and mechanisms Preparing briefings (e.g., formal, face-to-face briefings, go-to-meetings/ webinars) in order to provide hydrologic/water resources forecast information Conducting briefings (e.g., formal, face-to-face briefings, go-to-meetings/ webinars) in order to provide hydrologic/water resources forecast information IC Title: Communicating Risks in High-Impact Events Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 3.7. Use inundation mapping to define impacted areas for flood events of varying magnitudes IC Title: Impacts of a Vertical Datum Conversion on National Weather Service Hydrology Program and Customers Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com

Ability 4. Create and transmit appropriate outlook, watch, warning, and advisory information (consider referencing NWS Directive for product format, also findings/recommendations from recent service assessments). Skill 4.1. Use GHG/GFE to produce Flood/Flash Flood Watches and AFD/HWO products Skill 4.2. Use WarnGen to produce Flash Flood and Areal Flood Warnings, Statements and Advisories. IC Title: Flash Flood Warning Fundamentals Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Flash Flood Emergency Overview Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 4.3. Use RiverPro to produce point-specific flood watches, warnings, statements, and advisories. IC Title: WHFS User RiverPro Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 4.4. Use GHG/GFE or other appropriate tool for longer term hydrologic information including Drought Statements, Water Supply Statements and Winter/Spring Flood Potential Outlooks.

Ability 5. Prepare and provide hydrologic forecast verification information. Skill 5.1. Utilize available internal and external tools to provide an overview of forecast skill. IC Title: Introduction to Verification of Hydrologic Forecasts Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Techniques in Hydrologic Forecast Verification Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 5.2. Assess sources of forecast skill and error. IC Title: Introduction to Verification of Hydrologic Forecasts Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: Techniques in Hydrologic Forecast Verification Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: QPF Verification: Challenges and Tools Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com IC Title: River Flood Warning Verification Program Type: Formal Training (in LMS) URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Skill 5.3. Follow-up with stakeholders following an event to explain strengths and weaknesses of forecast services provided during the event.