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FY25 WOC Flash Flood Available Now!

The FY25 version of the WOC Flash Flood Track has been released and is available in the CLC!

Training Events Planning Calendar
Residence/Virtual Courses
Web-Based Training Release Dates

Warning Decision Training Division

Office of Chief Learning Officer

 

How to Register?

The FY25 version of the WOC Flash Flood Track, which is now open, will be available through the end of the fiscal year. If you are a NWS employee who wants to sign up, please use this registration form. Note: You should coordinate with your local training facilitators (e.g., SOOs) before enrolling in the course.

Course Description

The Warning Operations Course (WOC) Flash Flood Track is a course that consists of approximately 19 hours of training material (5 hours of which are optional, plus an optional WES simulation) on topics that are relevant to flash flood warning decision-making. The Flash Flood Track consists of 44 on-line lessons (10 of which are optional). Topics covered by the online lessons include conceptual models of flash flood events, how to use a variety of flash flood tools, and best practices related to flash flood warning decision making.

The course is designed to allow every NWS Forecaster (Meteorologist and Hydrologist) to participate independently and at their own pace throughout the fiscal year. Assistance from an on-site facilitator (SOO, DOH, or locally appointed training officer) is recommended, especially during the WES simulations.

The WOC Flash Flood Track is designed to improve the performance of NOAA’s NWS offices in issuing Flash Flood Warnings. For more information on the WOC Flash Flood Track implementation, please e-mail e-mail address for the WOC Flash Flood Help List.

Course Outline

Click on the panels below to access the content for each topic of the course.

 

Part 1: Conceptual Models of Flash Flood Events

Brief Description: These lessons will discuss various conceptual models related to flash flood events. The conceptual models are discussed in subtopics that focus on general mechanisms that can trigger flash floods, severe-driven mechanisms, and those that are specific to the Western U.S.

Delivery Methods: Web modules

Approximate Completion Time: 2.5-6.5 hours

Content:

    General Topics for Flash Flood Conceptual Models:

    Topics for Severe-Driven Flash Flooding:

    • Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) that Produce Excessive Rainfall: Web Version
    • Extreme Precipitation from Supercells and Other Systems with Mesoscale Rotation: Web Version
    • Warning for Dual Hazard Events: Tornado and Flash Flood (TORFF): Web Version

    [Optional] Topics for Western U.S. Flash Flooding:

    • Flash Flood Meteorology in the West: Web Version
    • Atmospheric Rivers and Flash Flooding: Web Version
    • Data Fusion Exercise for Flash Flood Warnings: 26 July 2021 Flash Flood Event: Web Version
    • Post-Wildfire Flash Flooding - Warning Operations Tools and Best Practices: Web Version
    • Monitoring for Potential Flash Flood and Debris Flow Threats: Web Version
    • Communicating Potential Flash Flood and Debris Flow Threats: Web Version
    • Identifying Post-Fire Flash Floods & Debris Flows: Post Event Signatures: Web Version
Part 2: Flash Flood Forecasting Tools

Brief Description:These lessons discuss various flash flood tools that may be useful to forecasters. The lessons are organized based on whether they relate to WPC tools and services, are useful for forecasting flash flooding, or are applicable during warning operations. A fourth subtopic dives into tools that are for more advanced users and/or hydro focal points.

Delivery Methods: Web modules

Approximate Completion Time: 3-4 hours

Content:

    Weather Prediction Center:

    Forecasting Tools:

    • Using the Ensemble Situational Awareness Table for Potential Heavy Rain Events: Web Version
    • GOES-R/JPSS Case Exercise: Applications for Heavy Rainfall & Flash Flooding: Web Version

    Warning Operations Tools:

    • Introduction to Average Recurrence Intervals (ARIs): Web Version
    • Using Average Recurrence Intervals (ARIs) in AWIPS: Web Version
    • Interpreting QPE Bias Information in AWIPS: Web Version
    • High-Resolution Precipitation Estimator (HPE) and Bias HPE: Web Version

    [Optional] Advanced Tools:

    • Introduction to the High-Resolution Precipitation Nowcaster (HPN): Web Version
    • Using the HPN in AWIPS: Web Version
    • Using Virtual Gauge Basins (VGBs) in FFMP: Web Version
Part 3: Flash Flood Warning Operations

Brief Description: These lessons discuss some basic best practices for performing flash flood operations. Topics include how to best identify the flash flood threat in real-time, best practices for issuing Flash Flood Warnings, other flash flood-related products available to forecasters, and post-event damage surveying.

Delivery Methods: Web modules

Approximate Completion Time: 7-8 hours

Content:

    Identifying the Threat: Meteorology

    • Flash Flood Meteorology: Web Version
    • Dual-Pol Signatures for Heavy Rainfall: Web Version
    • The Dual-Pol Quantitative Precipitation Estimation Algorithm: Web Version
    • MRMS Hydro Products Overview: Web Version
    • An Overview of Precipitation Sources in AWIPS: Web Version
    • Best Practices for Choosing a Precipitation Source: Web Version
    • Comparing Precipitation Sources to Observations in AWIPS: Web Version

    Identifying the Threat: Hydrology

    Flash Flood Warnings - Issuing and Verifying

    • Foundations of Flash Flood Warnings: Polygon: Web Version
    • Foundations of Flash Flood Warnings: Text: Web Version
    • Implementing Impact-Based Flash Flood Warnings: Web Version

    Other Flash Flood Products:

    Post-Event:

    • Using the Damage Assessment Toolkit for Flood and Flash Flood Damage Surveys: Web Version
WES-2 Bridge Simulations [Optional]

Brief Description: WES-in-the-Cloud case development is still underway, but will be released in FY25. Updates will be shared when available.

Delivery Methods: WES Simulations

Additional Documentation

Below are other resources related to NWS flash flood products, services, and training:

WPC Webinar Collaborations

Below is a list of webinars that WDTD has facilitated with the Weather Prediction Center (WPC):

  • 2024 WPC Rainfall Program Overview and Updates (recorded webinar): Web Version

List of Collaborators

Below are collaborators who assisted WDTD in developing the scope of the course, creating lessons in the course, and/or providing valuable insight into relevant topics:

  • Steve Martinaitis (CIWRO/NSSL)
  • Russ Schumacher (CSU)
  • Dan Bikos (CIRA)
  • Brad Workman (former CIWRO/WDTD)
  • Marc Chenard, Alex Lamers, & Andrew Orrison (WPC)
  • Fred Glass (WFO St. Louis)
  • Tony Anderson (WFO Cheyenne) & Tim Bardsley (WFO Reno)
  • Kate Abshire (AFS)
  • And thank you to countless reviewers and SMEs - both within NOAA and the NWS, as well as in the academic community!