ATMO 506 ... Forecasting Models and Methods

Course Description

Catalog Description

Forecast Models and Methods
Course Number: ATMO 506

Prerequisite: ATMO 505, MATH 122, and EECS 138 or EECS 258

Students are introduced to the computer methods of weather forecasting and graphical display. Computer programs are used to apply numerical methods to weather data and to evaluate dynamical processes on numerical grids. Meteorological graphics packages are used to analyze current and forecast weather data. Current operational models and output products are described.

Current Course Content

  • Introduction
  • Basic Numerical Methods
    1. Grids
    2. Finite-Differencing
    3. Example
    4. Numerical Integration
    5. Harmonic Analysis
  • Map Projections
    1. Basics of Map Projections
    2. Setting up Grids
  • Basic Objective Analysis
    1. Introduction
    2. Historical Perspective
    3. Types of Objective Analysis
    4. Empirical Linear Interpolation
    5. Weighting Functions
    6. Barnes Method
  • Constructing a Numerical Model
    1. Steps in Building a Numerical Model
    2. Computational Instability
    3. Relaxation
    4. Simple Barotropic Numerical Model
    5. Class Project: Develop a Model
  • Parameterization
    1. Definition
    2. Types of Parameterization
    3. Impact on Model Output
  • Operational Models
    1. NCEP Models (GFS/Eta/RUC)
    2. Ensembles
    3. UKMet and European Models
  • Statistical Weather Forecasting
    1. Basics of Least-Squared Regression
    2. Types of Statistical Forecasting
      1. Classical
      2. Perfect Prog
      3. Model Output Statistics (MOS)
    3. Screening Regression
    4. Analog Forecasting
    5. Operational MOS
    6. Verification
  • Weather Applications
    1. GEMPAK
    2. McIDAS
    3. BUFkit

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    last updated on 12/09/07