National Weather Service Training Center

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Quality Control

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Web Module WBT-001

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Why is Quality Control Important?
Module Segments | Module Certification

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Course Objective

This module provides a background on quality control and quality assurance concepts and application to NWS operations.

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Why is Quality Control Important?

The National Weather Service (NWS) cannot operate without an effective quality control program at both the local and national level.  Good, high quality data are the foundation upon which the NWS mission relies.  Without reliable data and observations, the NWS cannot issue accurate watches, warnings, and forecasts and the overall quality of NWS products and services deteriorates.  With the rapid exchange of data over computer-run communication systems, it is easy for bad data to enter the system at some point and contaminate the entire network within minutes, with no human intervention.  It is critical to review data entering the communications system to ensure its reliability.

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Module Segments

The segments shown below are all web based.  Click the link to access each segment.  Review the segment material and answer any review questions provided.

• Segment 1: Quality Control Concepts This segment describes general quality control concepts.  It addresses general methods used for quality control as well as some specific methods used in the National Weather Service.

• Segment 2: Quality Assurance/Quality Control This segment describes the difference between quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC), and discusses several issues associated with an effective QA/QC program.

• Segment 3: NWS Observational Quality Control This segment outlines the NWS policy on quality control of surface weather observations, and the key role that the various levels of the NWS play in this process.

• Segment 4: An Example of a WFO QC Program This is a link to "The Hydrological and Surface Observation Quality Control Program at NWSO Central Illinois" which describes in detail the operational quality control program run at the Lincoln office.

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Module Certification

To receive credit for completion of this module, you must pass a final exam.  Click on the "FINAL EXAM" link below and complete the questions then print a certificate to submit to the SOO.

* FINAL EXAM *

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Updated 08/06/2007