NOAA/National Weather Service's Warning Decision Training BranchUnited States Department of Commerce
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Radar & Applications Course News

The National Weather Service (NWS) Warning Decision Training Division (WDTD) strives to offer the RAC at least once per quarter during the fiscal year to best accommodate new NWS forecasters. If you have a newly hired forecaster in your office who you want to sign up for the next available RAC, please complete RAC Registration Form. Note: Local training facilitators (e.g., SOOs) must complete this form to register their students for RAC.

If you have any questions please contact Robert Prentice's e-mail address.

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

Warning Decision Training Division

Office of Chief Learning Officer

The Radar & Applications Course (RAC)

 

How to Register?

The National Weather Service (NWS) Warning Decision Training Division (WDTD) strives to offer the RAC at least once per quarter during the fiscal year to best accommodate new NWS forecasters. If you have a newly hired forecaster in your office who you want to sign up for the next available RAC, please complete RAC Registration Form. Note: Local training facilitators (e.g., SOOs/DOHs) must complete this form to register their students for RAC.

If you have any questions please contact Robert Prentice's e-mail address.

Course Description

The Radar & Applications Course (RAC) trains National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist and hydrologist forecasters in the use of the WSR-88D radar to support forecasting and warning decisions. This four-month course uses a blended format that includes online modules, instructor-led webinars, applied drills, and a one-week in-residence workshop held in Norman, Oklahoma. Topics include the WSR-88D system, radar principles, base and derived products, Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor (MRMS) products, convective storm structure and evolution, flash floods, warning fundamentals, and the human role in the warning process. The course requires approximately 71 hours of distance learning—often taking longer in practice—plus the 40-hour in-residence workshop.

RAC Pages

Here are some important links to other RAC pages: