Advanced Climate Variability and Change Course

The three-day Advanced Climate Variability and Change Course (ACVCC) is oriented toward dedicated NWS climate services staff who are on track to become future climate science leaders in local offices. Participants can include Science and Operations Officers and Development and Operations Hydrologists from NWS local offices and RFCs; Climate Services Program Managers (CSPMs) and Science Services Division staff from the NWS Regional Headquarters; and exemplary Climate Services Focal Points. The course objectives include developing advanced climate science understanding and skills in three main areas:
(1) Climate variability and change modeling at various time and space scales;
(2) Approaches to regional and local climate studies based on existing climate analysis methods;
(3) Weather and water linkages to climate variability and change.

This residence training course is expected to equip dedicated NWS climate services staff with an advanced understanding of climate variability and change, climate modeling and downscaling, as well as impacts, mitigation, and adaptation related to local and global changes. Upon completing the course, the attendees should be prepared to participate as competent players in NOAA-wide scientific initiatives and contribute unique local climate expertise.

Prior to attending the residence course, attendees are required to have completed important prerequisite courses offered in 2006 or later. These include both the Operational Climate Services residence training and the Climate Variability and Change Virtual Course (2009-2011) or three-day Climate Variability course (2006-2008).

The residence course topics will include information related to: (1) Climate modeling, (2) Regional downscaling, (3) IPCC scenarios, (4) Attribution of extreme meteorological and hydrological events to climate variability and change, (5) Approaches to both mitigation and adaptation, and (6) Local Climate Studies.