Weather Forecasting On-Line

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On-Line Course in Weather Forecsting


Purpose of this Course

The purpose of this course is to provide a basic course in weather forecasting. It is assumed that you have completed an introductory course in meteorology but have had no other formal training in meteorology. Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain the meaning of surface and upper air observations.
  • Describe the basic operation and meaning of remote sensing systems.
  • Draw isopleths on a weather chart.
  • Identify the basic features found on weather charts.
  • Apply a variety of dynamic parameters to chart analysis.
  • Identify areas of vertical motion on weather charts.
  • Derive a variety of information from atmospheric soundings.
  • Describe the structure of atmospheric systems and their influence on weather forecasts.
  • Describe a variety of forecast tools that are available to forecasts.
  • This course will occasionally make use of equations that are routinely part of dynamic meteorology courses. However, no equations will be derived. Of prime importance to this course is the meaning and application of these equations. Equations provide a bridge between the theoretical side of meteorology and practical weather forecasting.

    Course Outline

    This course includes main eight parts, each containing one or more lessons on some appropriate topic. Click on the lesson title to access the lesson.

    Part I: Weather Forecasting
  • How to Make a Weather Forecast ... available ...
  • Time and Weather ... available ...
  • Part II: Surface and Upper Air Observations
  • When and Where
  • Elements of a Surface Weather Observation
  • ASOS
  • METAR Code
  • Upper Air Observations
  • Other Sources of Observations
  • Part III: Remote Sensing Observations
  • Satellite Imagery
  • Radar Observations
  • Profilers
  • Lightning Detection
  • Part IV: Basic Analysis
  • Weather Charts
  • Graphical Analysis
  • Weather Features
  • Objective Analysis
  • Part V: Dynamic Analysis
  • Geostrophic Wind
  • Kinematics
  • Advection
  • Thickness ... available ...
  • Thermal Wind ... available ...
  • Vertical Motion
  • Part VI: Sounding Analysis
  • Thermodynamic Variables
  • Graphical Lifting Processes
  • Thermodynamic Diagrams
  • Stability and Stability Indices
  • Sounding Features
  • Hodographs ... available ...
  • Part VII: Atmospheric Systems and Models
  • Air Masses
  • Fronts
  • Cyclones and Anticyclones
  • Cyclone Development
  • Upper Waves
  • The Jet Stream
  • Hurricances
  • Thunderstorms
  • Polar Lows
  • Part VIII: Forecast Topics
  • Precipitation Type ... available ...
  • Freezing Rain and Ice Pellets ... available ...
  • Thickness and Precipitation Type ... available ...
  • Forecasting Snow Amount ... available ...
  • Axis of Heaviest Snowfall ... available ...
  • Temperature Forecasting ... available ...
  • Conveyor Belts ... available ...
  • Cold Air Damning
  • Heat Bursts ... available ...
  • MCS Propagation
  • Probability of Precipitation
  • MOS

  • last updated on 1/14/05