ATMO 505 ... Weather Forecasting

Lesson Objectives

Lesson 1 ... Weather Observations

Lesson Objectives:

  • Distinguish among visual, direct and remote observation methods.
  • Explain the basic terminology associated with weather data and weather observations.
  • List the weather parameters typically found in a surface weather observation.
  • Decode a METAR observation.
  • Explain the meaning of the various METAR components.
  • Describe how upper air data are collected.
  • Describe the type of data provided by profilers.
  • Explain the limitiations of the lightning detection network.

    • Lesson 2 ... Basic Satellite Interpretation

    Lesson Objectives:

  • Explain why satellites operate at certain wavelengths.
  • Identify the three main types of operational satellite imagery.
  • Describe the difference between GOES and POES satellites.
  • Interpret the basic characteristics of VIS, IR and WV imagery.
  • Explain why enhancement curves are used.

    • Lesson 3 ... Basic Radar Interpretation

    Lesson Objectives:

  • Explain the basic physical principles used by radar.
  • Describe the three basic types of radar data.
  • List three types of radar displays.
  • Describe the impact of various cautions on your interpretation of radar data.
  • Recognize severe weather signatures in radar data.

    • Lesson 4 ... Dynamics, Kinematics and Vertical Motion

    Lesson Objectives:

  • Describe the application of the geostrophic wind concept.
  • Define kinematics.
  • Describe the meaning of the fluid properties: vorticity, divergence, wind shear, and deformation.
  • Identify areas of advection on temperature and vorticity charts.
  • Identify areas of upward vertical motion around upper troughs and jet streams.
  • Describe the operational implications of the various forms of the omega equation.

    • Lesson 5 ... Atmospheric Models

    Lesson Objectives:

  • Describe what is meant by an analysis model.
  • Define basic weather patterns and idnetify these patterns on weather charts and in weather data.
  • Distinguish between long waves and short waves.
  • Describe a variety of flow features associated with waves in the westerlies.
  • Describe the four stages in the life cycle of a cyclone.
  • Draw the typical 3-D relationship among a jet streak, surface low pressure center, and related fronts.
  • Describe the conveyor belt concept associated with cyclones.
  • Describe the evolution of an Alberta low.
  • Describe what is meant by a TROWAL.
  • Describe a polar front, a split cold front, a passive cold front, and other frontal types covered in class.
  • Analyze a front on a weather chart.

    • Lesson 6 ... Weather Charts & Graphical Analysis

    Lesson Objectives:

  • Interpret weather data plotted on a chart.
  • List the main map projections used in meteorology.
  • Identify the basic weather charts used in operational meteorology.
  • Draw isopleths on surface and upper air charts.

    • Lesson 7 ... Sounding Analysis

    Lesson Objectives:

  • Define the basic moisture variables used in operational meteorology.
  • Identify the various lines and parameters on a skew T-log p diagram.
  • Perform parcel method operations on a skew T-log p diagram.
  • Demonstrate how to find the LCL, LFC, and EL on a skew T-log p diagram.
  • Identify various types of inversions on a sounding.
  • Identify possible cloud layers on a sounding.
  • Define instability.
  • Differentiate between absolute and conditional stability.
  • Explain how CAPE and CIN are calculated.
  • Calculate the Lifted Index.

    • Lesson 8 ... Precipitation Type

    Lesson Objectives:

  • Explain the importance of the freezing level to rain-snow determination.
  • Describe the importance of various physical processes that affect the low level thermal structure.
  • Describe the low level thermal structure associated with freezing rain, ice pellets and freezing drizzle.
  • Define thickness.
  • Apply thickness to rain, snow, and freezing rain situations.
  • Define thermal wind.
  • Differentiate between veering and backing.
  • Identify hodographs usually associated with supercell and multicell thunderstorms.

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    last updated on 5/22/08