AWOC Severe Track

The Advanced Warning Operations Course (AWOC) Severe Track is a course that consists of approximately 14 hours of training material on topics that are relevant to severe weather warning decision-making. The Severe Track consists of:

• 6 instructional components,
• Forecast Challenge,
• 2 instructor led training (ILTs) webinars, and
• AWOC Severe WES simulation

covering topics including conceptual models of convective systems, threat assessment, storm interrogation, and simulations of severe weather events.

The AWOC Severe Track modules include a combination of learning technologies including teletraining, web-based training, computer-based training on CD-ROM, Weather Event Simulator (WES) simulations, and printed material. The course is designed to allow every NWS Forecaster (Meteorologist and Hydrologist) to participate with the assistance of an on-site facilitator (SOO, DOH, or locally appointed training officer). Each instructional component for NWS employees are tracked by the AWOC on-site facilitator using the NOAA Learning Management System, with pre-test options available for many of the instructional components.

The AWOC Severe Weather Track is designed to improve the performance of NOAA’s NWS offices in issuing severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings.