Tropical Operations and Configuration Training Courses Update

1. Tropical Operations and Configuration Training Courses Update Shannon White, Pablo Santos, David Sharp, Andy Devanas, Matt Moreland

2. Status Quo • No changes planned to the following modules: • Expressions of Uncertainty (1&2) • Possible minor tweaks to module 2 • Hazard Grid Creation • EWW (same as 2010) • TCMWindTool • Using NWR with the HLS • Configuring NWRWAVES for Tropical Operations • Minor update to jobsheet planned based on user feedback

3. What’s Changing • Content • Adding more examples from other sites • Need volunteers to provide those examples • Tropical Impact Graphics • Rework some content to emphasize the role of the forecaster in the creation of the tropical impact graphics • Re-emphasize proper product application and interpretation • Add a jobsheet outlining what needs to be chosen within each tool and when

4. What’s Changing • GFE Configuration Course • Last season’s course staying as-is • Add (return) inland-only config course • HLS Creation Course • Change the format • Overview course for new users • A new web-based decision tree to guide forecasters through the proper creation process

5. Sample Decision Tree

6. Possible New Cases • We HOPE to have an easier-to-run AWIPS test case for each site • It will script the ingest of new data sets that can be viewed/manipulated while GFE is in practice mode • Facilitator jobsheets provided to help run the rest of the staff through the case for training • All contingent upon getting concrete scripting/testing HELP from the regions

7. WFO Houston/Galveston 2011 Tropical Simulations Matt Moreland Emergency Response Meteorologist – Team Lead WFO New Orleans/Baton Rouge

8. TROPICAL SIMULATION TRAINING Critical for all WFOs to run through tropical simulation training prior to peak of the Hurricane Season. Objectives: Train forecasters/management on WFO tropical operations in a setting as close as possible to a real-time event Robust testing of operational AWIPS prior to Hurricane Season Feedback sessions lead to more efficient WFO tropical operations Improved IDSS: mock emergency management briefings help to streamline process and gain critical feedback from partners POSSIBLE PLAN (WITH ERMET OR NATIONAL SUPPORT): ER-Met Teams work with national training team to run through simulation training at Pilot projects - Spring 2012 ER-Met Teams work with national training team to refine process and step-by-step instructions  ship instructions for other WFOs and provide support for simulation training

9. WFO HGX Example -Facilitator Setup Facilitator must have technical knowledge of AWIPS/GFE Installed NHC “WGULF” test case on operational AWIPS using procedures on the AWIPS special projects Tropical wiki page. All procedures on the page completed prior to the simulation Setup baseline set of GFE grids for simulation (temperatures, relative humidity, Sky, PoP, weather, QPF, WaveHeight). These grids saved for each simulation Setup WRKTCM text file and a mock WGULF public advisory (WRKTCP) Create WGULF storm in HurrEvac “exercise wizard” for use in mock briefings Wind/Surge probability grids put into place just prior to simulation

10. Conducting Simulations Six simulations in June 2011 on “WGULF” test case (large Category 4 hurricane striking southeast Texas). All staff required to attend at least one as part of mandatory training. Training elements: tropical GFE grid production, HLS creation, emergency management briefing techniques Hardware: one AWIPS workstation with GFE in PRACTICE mode Briefing PC Required attendance: Facilitator At least one manager for briefing or overview Three forecasters – 2 on AWIPS workstation, 1 on briefing SMG meteorologist as observer Emergency Management + other forecasters to serve as “briefing audience”

11. Conducting Simulations Facilitator actions: - Conduct outlined setup steps prior to simulation - Create/issue mock Tornado Watch - Issue mock TCV from NHC for WGULF storm - Provide guidance during the training Grid/HLS portion and briefing portions were conducted simultaneously. About 90 minutes total Forecasters: had extensive step-by-step instructions for use during the grid editing and HLS creation portion Management either monitored or conducted mock emergency management briefing. Other forecasters, managers, or actual emergency managers provided mock questions during briefing. Conclusion: a 30 minute debrief or “hotwash” session

12. FEEDBACK/“HOTWASH” SESSION SMG feedback: - Importance of simulating with peers under time constraints (vs. training individually on the WES) - Limitation: not having a full suite of weather data for the simulation (satellite, radar) - Teamwork and communications: feedback or “hotwash” session important to get ideas on improving this Important discussions over office operations: Creating operational checklist and “flow chart” for hurricane duties Division of workload discussions Disseminating evacuation information – PNS or HLS? - Improvements/corrections in step-by-step instructions

13. BENEFITS OF AWIPS SIMULATION - Interactive: direct feedback and help from facilitators; better model of actual event Management presence adds weight: sets “high priority” example AWIPS put through robust test prior to season: Operational system run through a full test during each simulation helping to troubleshoot/correct critical bugs. Example: at WFO HGX, “personalized” GFE configuration file led to problems with creation of HLS and tropical impact graphics Emergency Management Briefings streamlined and improved: Provides critical training for forecasters/management. Instructions streamlined/improved with each simulation.