unsaved:///newpage6.htm

This chapter establishes national standards for carrying out inspection visits at NWS surface observation sites. The responsibility, frequency, pre-visit, visit, and post-visit activities for both staffed and automatic observing stations are described.

This chapter supersedes OML 71-1, "Replacement of WB Form 052-2," effective January 29, 1971, (filed with B-66) which has been incorporated and should be destroyed.

Issue Date Org. Code NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Part Chap.
7-16-84 Operations Manual

1. Purpose. This chapter establishes standard guidelines for carrying out a visitation program at National Weather Service (NWS) surface observation sites.

1.1 Scope. NWS surface observation sites include staffed NWS observing offices, paid and cooperative basic and synoptic stations, and automatic meteorological observing stations (which are unstaffed or staffed by NWS, paid, or cooperative observers).

2. General. An effective surface observing program depends on each observation site conforming to national standards and guidelines. One of the most effective ways to ensure standards and guidelines are being met is through first-hand evaluation of the observing programs at each observing site. Visitation to paid or cooperative basic and synoptic stations may also be used to provide initial or additional training.

3.1 Advance Notification of Visit. The Meteorologist in Charge/Official in Charge (MIC/OIC) of each field office or supervising person at any paid or cooperative station should be notified of each planned visit as far in advance as possible. The MIC (area manager) of the forecast area must also be notified of any planned visits in the area. Any changes in the visitation schedule should also be brought to the attention of the field station. Whenever practical, visits should be scheduled so that the MIC/OIC may be contacted both before the quality control specialist begins work at the station and again just prior to departure.

3.2 Advance Preparation for Visit. Prior to making a quality control visit, the specialist should review all pertinent information regarding the station. Such advance preparation will permit the specialist, in many cases, to concentrate efforts in the particular station's known problem areas, thereby making better use of time. Some items to use in advance preparation are:

c. Review of station personnel roster, making note of recent personnel changes. (Note: It is desirable for the specialist to recognize the names of all the observing and supervisory personnel at the station to be visited.) Prepare a list of certified observers from the regional listing (name, certificate number, and programs certified) for each station to be visited. Review and update each list when checking the observer certificates at the station being visited.

e. Review of recent error letters from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) and supervising office.

h. Prepare updated Condensed Table of Critical Values (WS TA B-0-2) with latest published minimums for each station to be visited.

4. The Observation Site Visitation. The following guidelines are intended to assist quality control personnel from regional Data Acquisition (DATAC) Divisions/Branches and supervising field offices in maximizing the effectiveness of observation site visitations.

4.1 Visits to Staffed NWS Offices and Paid or Cooperative Basic and Synoptic Stations.

4.1.1 Responsibility for Visitation Program. Quality control visits should be made by regional DATAC personnel and/or supervising field office personnel. The person making such visits must be knowledgeable about, and familiar with, the appropriate surface observing program and should be certificated in the program being reviewed.

4.1.2 Frequency and Duration of Visits. Routine quality control visits for observation program review by regional DATAC personnel should be made to staffed NWS offices and to basic and synoptic stations at least once each year. Supervising field office personnel should supplement regional visits to basic and synoptic stations to accomplish semiannual visits. Extra visits may be required for sites having recent changes in equipment, programs, or personnel, or when records indicate less than satisfactory observation products. Allow sufficient time to completely review the observation program. Since observational programs vary in complexity and/or content the visitation time will vary from several hours to 2 days. Additional time may be needed for training.

4.1.3 Conducting the Surface Observation Program Review. WS Form B-32, "Surface Observations Inspection Guide," (Exhibit B-66-l) is provided to assist the specialist in conducting a complete program review. Use of the form is mandatory; the specialist will find it helpful in that most significant aspects of the program are included in a simple checklist which may be retained for future use. It may also be used as an action item list to be left at the field station. The form is designed for all types of stations and "NA" (not applicable) should be noted where necessary. The inspection guide includes 10 general areas, as follows:

I. Pressure. The barometry program is one of the most critical elements at a surface observation site and must be thoroughly checked for equipment and observation procedure accuracy. Many NWS programs depend on accurate pressure observations, and transmitted pressures are used by the Federal Aviation Administration and other aviation interests for control and separation of air traffic. Several barometer comparisons should be taken by the inspector on each visit to ensure accurate pressures are being used on station in accordance with Federal Meteorological Handbook Number 1 (FMH #1), "Surface Observations," instructions. In addition, regional inspectors will compare the station mercury barometer (STA) to the regional reference barometers (RRB) at least yearly in accordance with WSOM Chapter B-11, "Standards and Procedures for Surface Observing Program" and Federal Meteorological Handbook Number 8 (FMH #8), "Manual of Barometry."

II. Temperature and Humidity. Proper exposure and accuracy of the temperature and humidity instrumentation are critical in surface weather observations. These data are used for operational forecasting and long-term climatology programs. Check closely for proper exposure of primary instrumentation and for adequate backup for all elements in accordance with WSOM Chapter B-11. Review the hygrothermometer comparatives for compliance with FMH #1 instructions.

III. Precipitation. Ensure precipitation equipment is properly exposed and adequate backup equipment is maintained in accordance with WSOM Chapter B-11. Observation procedures should be checked for compliance with FMH #1 instructions.

IV. Wind. Visual checks of the wind equipment should be made to determine if readings appear to be accurate and are properly observed. Check for proper annotation of recording charts. Check for proper wind calibration checks per FMH #1 instructions and Engineering Maintenance Schedule Requirements. Wind sensor exposure should be checked occasionally by reviewing the airport layout plan, available from the airport manager or State Department of Aeronautics. Check for proper spacing from runways, taxi-ways, ramps, buildings, etc., per criteria listed in WSOM Chapter B-11 and the "Instruction Manual for F420 Wind Equipment."

V. Ceiling. Review exposure and operation of equipment. Observation procedures should be monitored, and tables should be checked for accuracy. Ensure that recorder charts are properly annotated.

VI. Other Equipment and Procedures. Inspect other equipment exposure and observing procedures as outline in the inspection guide.

VII. Observational Aids and Facilities. Check the visibility charts for accuracy. Initial and date the charts if they appear to be accurate. Check the criteria for special and local observations for accuracy. The latest National Ocean Service (NOS) Instrument Approach Procedures publication should be used to establish the latest published minimums for landing, circling, and take-off procedures. Observing publications should be readily available and up to date. Engineering Maintenance Schedules (for meteorological technicians) should be on hand for each piece of observing equipment on station.

VIII. Arrangement of Observing Facilities. Briefly evaluate the lighting and safety of observing facilities. Determine if the site for taking visual observations satisfies the requirements in WSOM Chapter B-11.

IX. Preparation of Records. Review a sample of records for completeness, neatness, and accuracy. To ensure correct dissemination of the observations and that errors have been corrected properly on MF 1-10A, review several days of the electrowriter or teleprinter copies with the corresponding days of MF 1-10A forms.

X. General. Time must be allowed to monitor observer routine duties for proper and efficient observation methods. At NWS offices, the station duty manual should have a complete set of written shift duties. The written shift duties should be in chronological order and sufficiently detailed for a qualified weather service specialist (WSS) to assume each shift with little or no assistance. At NWS supervising offices, the supervision of field offices should be reviewed with the MIC/OIC. Observers' visual acuity should be verified against the standards published in WSOM Chapter B-61.

4.1.4 Critique. Upon completion of the station visitation, an official list of discrepancies, if any, and strengths should be prepared and left with the MIC/OIC or supervisory person so that corrective action may be made. This may be accomplished by discussing the completed WS Form B-32, "Surface Observations Inspection Guide," with the MIC/OIC and the supervising observer and leaving one copy at the station.

4.1.5 Other Station Programs. At the discretion of the regional headquarters, the person performing the surface observation's visitation may review other station programs. Procedures for other program areas are included in other chapters of this manual.

4.2 Visits to Automatic Meteorological Observing Stations. Automatic station visits include Automatic Meteorological Observing Systems (AMOS), Remote Automatic Meteorological Observing Systems (RAMOS), and Automatic Observing Stations (AUTOB) which are unstaffed or staffed by NWS, paid, or cooperative observers.

4.2.1 Responsibility for Visitation Program. Quality control visits to staffed automatic stations should be made by regional DATAC personnel and/or supervising field office personnel, although primary responsibility rests with the supervising field office. The person making such visits must be knowledgeable about, and familiar with, the appropriate surface observing program and should be certificated in the program being reviewed. He/she must be able to properly check all meteorological parameters measured by the automatic equipment.

Electronics technicians (el techs) are responsible for visits to unstaffed automatic stations and calibration of all equipment. It is the responsibility of DATAC and the supervising office to see that the el tech has been properly instructed for barometer comparatives. DATAC personnel should periodically visit unstaffed automatic stations for exposure and calibration checks.

4.2.2 Frequency and Duration of Visits. The station type and the minimum frequency of visits required are:

Staffed Automatic Unstaffed Automatic

Regional DATAC Once per year Every 2 years

Supervising Field Office Twice per year Once per year (el techs only)

The monitoring office(s) should watch closely for data errors. Routine visits to unstaffed automatic stations should only require several hours. However, to complete a thorough observation program review at a staffed automatic station, a visit of about 1 day is necessary. Training at staffed automatic stations may require 1 to 2 days.

4.2.3 Conducting the Surface Observations Program Review. At staffed automatic stations, WS Form B-32 "Surface Observations Inspection Guide," should be used to assist the specialist in conducting a complete program review, as in paragraph 4.1.3. At unstaffed automatic stations, the following areas should be checked:

I. Pressure. Transmitted pressure must be checked during each visit and must be traceable back to the supervising office mercury barometer. A portable standard aneroid barometer will be used for comparisons per instructions included in Engineering Handbook Number 11, "Engineering Maintenance Note," Issuance 78-10.

II. Temperature and Humidity. Transmitted temperature and dew point will be checked against observed data using a psychrometer. Temperature and dew point must agree within +1^o F (at the sensor site).

III. Precipitation. Check that accumulator clears after 6-hourly observation, and confirm that correct precipitation amount is transmitted.

V. Sky Cover, Visibility, and Precipitation Occurrence. Check teletypewriter printout against known or estimated conditions. Consult Engineering Handbook Number 11, "Maintenance Schedules" for detailed checking procedures.

4.2.4 Critique for Staffed Stations. Upon completion of the station visitation, an official list of discrepancies should be prepared and left with the supervisory person so that corrective action may be taken. This may be accomplished by discussing the completed WS Form B-32, "Surface Observations Inspection Guide, with the supervising observer and leaving one copy at the station.

5.1 Quality Control Specialist Reports. Upon completion of each station visitation, the specialist should prepare a written narrative report. WS Form B-3 "Station Inspection Report," is provided for this purpose. The report should include:

e. A frank descriptive appraisal of the effectiveness of the surface observing program as conducted at the station. Include a list of deficiencies and for each deficiency, identify the office, regional division, or person responsible for corrective action.

f. Any aspects of the station's program which are unusually favorable. In this category, include such items as might be adopted at other stations.

g. Specific recommendations on actions which should be taken by the station or by the regional or National Weather Service Headquarters to improve the program. These should include instructional changes, facilities improvements, personnel changes, etc.

h. Whenever desirable, include photographs to document deficiencies, e.g., exposure of sensors, safety hazards, etc. These are especially useful for discussion purposes at the regional headquarters.

5.2 Action Items. Note any action necessary to alleviate deficiencies in programs and skills, and any actions contemplated in response to station requests. Establish a target date for the completion of each action and determine the responsible party. Actions necessary by the visiting official should be outlined in the trip report.

5.2.1 Required of NWS Offices. Accomplish all follow-up action items promptly as possible. Follow-up actions by the office should be reported in a memorandum to the Regional Director, Attention: Chief, Data Acquisition Division/Branch, as they are accomplished. In case the action is not completed within 30 days after the visit, the station should submit a progress report.

5.2.2 Required by Cooperative and Paid Observers. A letter to the observer should be promptly written upon return to the home office. A letter to cooperative or paid observers should tactfully list deficiencies and necessary actions, with specified deadlines. Written response should be requested by a specified date to close out the action item. A follow-up visit may also be required.

5.3 Disposition of WS Form B-33, "Station Inspection Report." The completed WS Form B-33 should be submitted intact to the Chief, Data Acquisition Division or Branch of the appropriate NWS regional headquarters for review and appropriate actions. The second copy will be forwarded by the regional headquarters to WSH, Basic Observations Branch, W/OTS21x1. Additional copies of the completed form should be made by regional DATAC and distributed to other appropriate supervising offices (e.g., area manager). Completed WS Form B-33 should be retained at the field offices for at least 2 years and at the regional headquarters for at least 3 years. Nonetheless, the latest Station Inspection Report -- regardless of recency --should be retained for information and continuity until appropriately superseded.

	Staffed Automatic	Unstaffed Automatic

Regional DATAC Once per year	Every 2 years
Supervising Field Office	Twice per year	Once per year (el techs only)