Offshore Physical Environmental Guidelines
5.0 Quality Assurance and Quality Control

5.0 Quality Assurance and Quality Control
5.1 Weather Observing Program
5.2 Weather and Sea State Forecast Verification
5.3 Ice Forecast Verification

5.0 Quality Assurance and Quality Control

The Operator should develop and document a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program to ensure:Essential elements of the site-specific forecast service include:

  • observing and reporting errors are minimized;
  • data flow disruptions are as short in duration as possible;
  • data-user requirements are being met;
  • instruments comply with the required accuracy and in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications;
  • any operability problem with an instrument is identified, reported and mitigated; and,
  • the accuracy of seastate and ice forecasts.

5.1 Weather Observing Program

The QA/QC program for weather observation should include the following:

  • competency testing of observers;
  • intra-parameter and temporal consistency checking of observations;
  • regular checking and monitoring, preventative maintenance or adjustments of instruments should be carried out by suitable trained staff;
  • documented procedure for manual corrections of instrument readings;
  • when the report is completed and ready for transmission, each item should be checked individually.

In addition, the QA/QC program for aviation weather observation should be developed with consideration of WMO 842 [20] and MANOBS [1]. The accuracy of measurements or observations should be in accordance with the guidance material in ICAO Annex 3 [8] (see Attachment B of that document), and these PEGs.

5.2 Weather and Sea State Forecast Verification

The Operator should develop a forecast verification program, as described in Appendix A, and review verification results at least monthly.

5.3 Ice Forecast Verification

The Operator should ensure that forecast verification is completed for all seasons in which tactical ice forecasting was conducted. This verification should be supported by as much detailed iceberg position and drift track observation and modeling information as possible.

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