Coast Guard Weather Briefer

COAST GUARD
WEATHER BRIEFER
(CGWXB)

Performance Qualification Standard

Creation Date: May 2009
Created by: MSTCS Jeff Estes (Qualified Operational Weather Briefer/Forecaster)

Revision Dates:

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS TEXT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SUBJECT MATTER SPECIALIST REGARDING WEATHER FOR THE MST RATING

Purpose of Coast Guard Weather Briefer PQS

The main purpose of this CGWXB PQS is to provide a learning tool for individuals who are tasked with briefing weather to commands for purposes of situational awareness, which thus falls into incident management. Most Sectors are comprised of a vast array of ratings, providing a widespread area of talent. Weather unfortunately is not normally one of those areas anyone is “talented” with. Therefore weather can be a scary element of any briefing, mainly due to the vast amount of information available on the internet. Without the basic knowledge of where to obtain credible and reliable weather information, the task of putting a simple weather brief can be daunting!

In today’s CG structure, Sectors are the “overseers” to many units within a geographical area of operation or responsibility. Therefore situational awareness becomes paramount to make informed decisions on the part of each command. Command Duty Officers (CDO’s) are normally tasked with this seemingly uncomplicated task, yet with everything else going on, and with little knowledge about what comprises a comprehensive weather brief, these brave people often “sweat the small stuff.”

Regardless of having any formal background or educations in meteorology, this PQS and accompanied guidebook will outline the fundamental aspects of providing an accurate and informed weather brief to the command. It will also serve as a progress check for those seeking a better understanding of how to give a simple and concise brief with what is available via the internet.

Important Notes

This text has been compiled from many sources. The course writer has both experience, a Bachelors of Science in Operational Meteorology, and is considered to be a Subject Matter Specialist. Information in the PQS and the accompanied study guidebook is based on proven concepts by meteorologists, scientists, operational weather briefers, and forecasters over many years, and can be referenced to, and will stand the test of time.

STATE: to declare, or set forth; a condition. Recall and recite with authority.

EXPLAIN: to make understandable; to give reason or cause for.

LIST: to account for all characteristics of a specified area or criteria set forth in the question.

COMPLETE: (1) to bring to an end and especially into a perfected state. (2) Follow a process or procedure from initial identification to submission of any required reports or forms.

IDENTIFY: to become aware by recognition of a pattern or set of attributes.

KNOW: otherwise know as “Be familiar with”; the recall and recognition of a pattern or set of attributes.

COMPREHEND: to see a relationship, concepts, and abstractions beyond the simple remembering of materials. Typically involves translating, interpreting, and estimating future trends; a higher degree of KNOW.

DESCRIBE: to give an account of in speech or writing.

DEMONSTRATE: (1) to show by reasoning. (2) To show the operation or working of. (3) To explain by using examples, experiments, or action. (4) To show proficiency in accomplishing a task by simulation or actual performance without actual follow through due to safety or efficiency consequences.

PERFORM: (1) to carry out an action or pattern of behavior. (2) To begin a task and carry through to completion in accordance with applicable instructions and regulations.

PQS: Performance Qualification Standard; this is a performance-based systematic approach to completing, either rating or unit, specific training in order to carry out missions assigned to the unit. These standards are to assist with the qualification process, providing clear cut guidance to what the expectations are.

PQG: Performance Qualification Guide; the performance-based systematic approach to completing the enlisted performance qualification for advancement. It consists of a nonresident distance learning course and a certification pamphlet.

SMS: Subject matter specialist: the person assigned to develop the specific rate distance learning courses.

SME: Subject Matter Expert: E9 who is the course writer for the rating, such as
SWE and all EOCT

SIGNATURE OF VERIFING OFFICIAL

RECORD OF VERIFYING OFFICERS

Coast Guard Weather Briefer
'CGWXB' PQS

Section I			Verifying
		Date Completed	Officer's
Task No.	Description		Initials

Climate and Seasons

1.1 EXPLAIN what an Air mass is _______ _______

1.2 STATE the cause of the seasons that affect _______ _______
North America

1.3 LIST the climatic zones present in the _______ _______
Northern Hemisphere

1.4 DESCRIBE the characteristics of the climatic zone _______ _______
present in North America

1.5 STATE the characteristics of the seasons that _______ _______
affect North America

Section II			Verifying
		Date Completed	Officer's
Task No.	Description		Initials

Air Masses

2.1 LIST the air masses that affect the _______ _______
Northern Hemisphere

2.2 IDENTIFY the source regions for the air _______ _______
masses that affect the Northern Hemisphere

2.3 DESCRIBE the characteristics of the air _______ _______
masses that affect the Northern Hemisphere.

Section III			Verifying
		Date Completed	Officer's
Task No.	Description		Initials

Fronts

3.1 STATE the reason for the depiction of _______ _______
fronts on a weather chart.

3.2 IDENTIFY the symbols used to identify the _______ _______
following types of fronts:
a. Cold Front
b. Warm Front
c. Occluded Front
d. Stationary Front

3.3 DESCRIBE the weather associated with each _______ _______
frontal zone
a. Cold Front
b. Warm Front
c. Occluded Front
d. Stationary Front

Section IV			Verifying
		Date Completed	Officer's
Task No.	Description		Initials

Pressure Centers

4.1 STATE the reason for depiction of pressure _______ _______
centers on a weather chart

4.2 IDENTIFY the symbols used to depict the _______ _______
following pressure centers:
a. High
b. Low

4.3 DESCRIBE the air flow associated with the _______ _______
following pressure centers:
a. High
b. Low

4.4 DESCRIBE the weather associated with _______ _______
the following pressure centers:
a. High
b. Low

Section V			Verifying
		Date Completed	Officer's
Task No.	Description		Initials

How to interpret a surface chart

5.1 DETERMINE the weather conditions as depicted on _______ _______
a surface chart by interpreting the “surface station model”
in accordance with NWS – guidelines.
a. Wind speed
b. Wind direction
c. Temperature
d. Dew point temperature
e. Surface pressure
f. Sky cover
g. weather associated with station model

5.2 GIVEN a surface chart, be able to COMPREHEND _______ _______
basic weather associated with frontal passage.

Section VI			Verifying
		Date Completed	Officer's
Task No.	Description		Initials

What the public needs in a weather brief

6.1 KNOW the five essential weather credentials _______ _______
expected by the public.
1) When, how much, and what kind of precipitation
will fall? i.e. (time, quantity, and type)
2) How will the temperature change in the next few days?
3) Expected amounts sunshine or cloud cover?
4) How windy is it and how will the wind effect public?
5) How will the weather affect transportation or other key elements of carrying
out public?

Section VII			Verifying
		Date Completed	Officer's
Task No.	Description		Initials

Credible Weather Information and Applicable Resources

7.1 EXPAIN why obtaining weather products from a _______ _______
credible internet site is vital.
- Legal issues
- Credibility
- Continuity
- Reliability

7.2 EXPLAIN the Navy FNMOC and the relationship _______ _______
CG has with them.

7.3 EXPLAIN the Air Force Weather and the relationship _______ _______
CG has with them.

7.4 DEMONSTRATE knowledge of the National _______ _______
Weather Service structure
       a. Forecast Office (FO) _______ _______
       b. Aviation Weather Unit (AAWU) _______ _______
       c. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) _______ _______

7.5 DEMONSTRATE how to pull up tides, sunrise/sunset _______ _______
and moonrise/moonset form the “tides and currents”
program on the CGWSIII, AND the ability to find
other similar information from other credible websites.

Section VIII			Verifying
		Date Completed	Officer's
Task No.	Description		Initials

Coast Guard Weather Briefer Qualification Test

8.1 Lastly, successfully pass the briefer test ______ _______
This test will be proctored by the lead
weather briefer

See appendix 2

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Aviation Weather Briefer Test Guidelines

Operational Weather Briefer Qualification Test can be in the form of an oral board, written test, performance exercise, or through most appropriate means as deemed necessary by the command to ensure qualification is met.

This shall be used appropriately by qualified shop personnel, in order to ensure readiness of trainee. Questions will be related to the information required from this guidebook, but can be extended to further test the trainee in areas concerning weaknesses for the purpose on strengthening those area.

Appendix 3

CGWXB “Quick Questions:”

1. What is a front?

2. What is the symbol identifying a high pressure?

2. What weather is associated with high pressure?

3. For legal reasons and credibility, which internet sites should a good weather
briefer always obtain their information from?

4. What air mass is associated with Canada in the winter time?

5. What two air masses create a front?

6. By looking at a surface chart, how can you decide if there are higher than normal winds at the surface?

7. What weather is associated with a cold front?

8. What is a squall line?

9. What is a sea breeze and why is this important to recognize when briefing
weather?

10. What is a quasi-stationary front?

11. If you use a chart from a non government site such as weatherunderground.com,
and if an accident occurs, can this chart be used in court?

12. What is the difference between ZULU and GMT?

13. What federal agency is responsible for issuing warning and advisories?

Appendix 4

CGWXB Study Guide on CG Central

Operational Weather Briefer Study Guide is used in conjunction with this Performance Qualification Guidebook simultaneously providing a questions and answers relationship.

USCG WSIII – CG Central access Microsites Index > Operational Weather Briefer / Forecaster Home >
      Or
http://www.coastguardwx.com for a complete online references

Appendix 5

References

List of required reading for CGWXB

These books will contain all answer relevant to this PQS. Not everything needs to be read, but in order to answer questions within the PQS and provide a comprehendable answer, portions of these below books should be read.

1. Operational Weather Briefer / Forecaster Study Guide Book, 2009 by MSTCS Estes on the CGWSIII:
Microsites Index > Operational Weather Briefer / Forecaster Home
2. Coast Guard Weather by MSTCS Estes http://www.coastguardwx.com
3. MST “A” School curriculum for “Weather for MST’s” by MSTCM Prekel
4. Student Text, Forecaster Apprentice Course, AF 335th Training Squadron
5. Meteorology Today, by C. Donald Ahrens; An introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment.
6. Weather Map Handbook, by Tim Vasquez
7. Weather Forecasting Handbook, by Tim Vasquez
8. Red Book, by Tim Vasquez

List of References

9. National Weather Service On-line referenced throughout this guide. http://www.nwstc.noaa.gov/
10. Weather for the Mariner by William J. Kotsch, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
11. Meteorologist Jeff Haby http://www.theweatherprediction.com
12. A Pilot’s Guide to Weather Services http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/pilot.htm
13. Student Text, Forecaster Apprentice Course, AF 335th Training Squadron
14. Weather for the Mariner by William J. Kotsch, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
15. COMDTINST 3710.1 (Series) Air Operations Manual

List of credible web sites for obtaining weather. There are hundreds for sites for weather support. It will be advisable now and into the future to stay close to the NWS, Air Force and Naval Weather sites, as they are the primary sources for much of this data, and imagery.

National Weather Service http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
Air Fore 17 OWS https://17ows.hickam.af.mil/
Transient and other alternate TAF’s can be found at http://www.airnav.com
Naval Meteorological site https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/public/
NWS training portal http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/
Lower 48: http://aviationweather.gov/
Commercial Standard flight weather brief http://aviationweather.gov/std_brief/
Alaskan Aviation Weather http://aawu.arh.noaa.gov/
NWS Aviation Digital Data Service http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/
NWS low bandwidth site http://lowbandwidth.arh.noaa.gov/

Climate
http://lowbandwidth.arh.noaa.gov/climate.php -- Excellent Climate site for AK weather
http://www.weather.gov/climate/ -- select T/Td symbol
https://notus2.afccc.af.mil/SCIS/ -- Air Force Climate
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html

Phenomena
http://www.atoptics.co.uk/ - Atmospheric and optical phenomena examples
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_phenomena - explanation and links
http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/ - aurora forecast

Earth hazards
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/
http://www.avo.alaska.edu/
http://avo-animate.images.alaska.edu/ftp_browser.php
http://puff.images.alaska.edu/index.shtml

HF propagation (radio) https://weather.afwa.af.mil/jaawin/index.jsp
Tsunami http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/
Earthquake location and magnitude http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
Hurricanes http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Sun rise / set / twilight / moon rise /set
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/index.php
http://www.sunrisesunset.com/

Appendix 6

Weather Symbology

“Weather Graph” forecasting tool included in the CGAWXB PQS Guidebook. - click (450 kb)

Appendix 7

NWS – “Jet Stream” Online Learning

http://www.srh.weather.gov/srh/jetstream/matrix.htm

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Frozencoastie by Jeff Estes
Jeff@frozencoastie.com