Training Activities at CIRA National –VISIT and SHyMet Programs International –Partnership with RTCs in Costa Rica, Barbados, Argentina, and Brazil –WMO Virtual Focus Group –Training Events Face to face vs. Virtual

Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training Dan Bikos and Jeff Braun Collaborators: Bernie Connell and Mark DeMaria Also includes NESDIS, CIMSS, COMET and FDTB staff Mission: Accelerate the transfer of research results into NWS operations via distance learning (teletraining and recorded web-based)

Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training Participants mostly from NWS, others include DOD, foreign countries 82 courses offered 1419 teletraining sessions administered 18,806 certificates of completion issued

VISITview

Recent VISIT teletraining developed by the RAMM team (since April 2006) Tropical Cyclone Track and Intensity Guidance Models used by NHC. Utility of GOES Imagery in Forecasting / Nowcasting Severe Weather. Satellite Interpretation of Orographic Clouds / Effects. Satellite Interpretation for various Coastal Effects. The GOES 3.9 μm channel.

VISIT recorded web-based video training via LMS completions since January 2005.

Satellite HydroMeteorology (SHyMet) Course Dedicated to Operational Satellite Users Funded by NESDIS (GOES)

1. Understanding Satellite Imagery Orientation GOES Imaging and sounding area coverage, resolution, and image frequency. POES for the operational forecaster GOES Sounder data and products 2. Applications and case examples Satellite interpretation for severe weather Satellite applications to tropical cyclones GOES High Density Winds Cyclogenesis SHyMet for Interns course Started April individuals completed

Introduction to Remote Sensing for Hydrology Feature Identification from satellite imagery Cloud Climatology Water Vapor Channels Aviation Hazards Volcanic ash hazards Dvorak Method Future Satellites SHyMet for Forecasters course Debuting this year

International Activities Close interaction with Regional Training Centers (RTCs) –Costa Rica and Barbados since 1996 –Argentina and Brazil since 2006 Access to satellite imagery and products Training –Face to face –WMO Regional Focus Group Real-time Virtual Monthly Weather Briefings –Virtual High Profile Training Event (Oct. 2006)

VISITview browser mode Teletraining and real-time collaboration tool Connects instructor(s) to many participants via Internet Voice over Internet - Yahoo Bi-lingual: English and Spanish Tom Whittaker

largest session: 40 users logged into VISITview, 30 users logged into Yahoo Messenger

WMO Regional Focus Group Americas and the Caribbean Organizers: CIRA, US NWS Training Branch, CIMSS, the International Desk at NCEP, RTC in Costa Rica Participants: Antigua, Argentina, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Paraguay, Trinidad, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Links VISIT SHyMet WMO Focus Group of the Americas and Caribbean