To find previous module announcements, visit the What's New Archive.
05 November 2009
Model Fundamentals - version 2
Model Fundamentals, part of the Numerical Weather Prediction Professional Development Series and the NWP Distance Learning Course, describes the components of an NWP model and how they fit into the forecast development process. It also explores why parameterization of many physical processes is necessary in NWP models.
The module covers background concepts and terminology necessary for learning from the other modules in this series on NWP.
Back in 2000, the subject matter expert for this module was Dr. Ralph Petersen of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Environmental Modeling Center (NCEP/EMC). Revisions to the module were made in 2009 by Drs. Bill Bua and Stephen Jascourt, from the NWP team at UCAR/COMET.
13 October 2009
Redacción de pronósticos de aeródromo para tiempo convectivo
The module "Writing TAFs for Convective Weather", now available in Spanish, uses a case to show how special tools and techniques can be used to produce a Practically Perfect TAF (PPTAF) for convection. The unit examines how to create TAFs for different types of convection and how to effectively communicate logic and uncertainty in an aviation forecast discussion (AvnFD) or by other means. It also addresses maintaining an effective TAF weather watch and updating the TAF proactively.
13 October 2009
Principios de convección II: uso de la hodógrafa
Now available in Spanish, this module provides a basic understanding of how to plot and interpret hodographs, with application to convective environments. Most of the material previously appeared in the CD module, A Convective Storm Matrix, developed with Dr. Morris Weisman. Principles of Convection II: Using Hodographs includes a concise summary for quick reference and a final exam to test your knowledge.
06 October 2009
Principios de convección III: cizalladura y tormentas convectivas
This is the Spanish translation of the module Principles of Convection III: Shear and Convective Storms which discusses the role of wind shear in the structure and evolution of convective storms. Using the concept of horizontal vorticity, the module demonstrates how shear enhances uplift, leading to longer-lived supercell and multicell storms. The module also explores the role of shear in the development of mesoscale convective systems, including bow echoes and squall lines. Most of the material in this module previously appeared in the COMET modules developed with Dr. Morris Weisman. This version includes a concise summary for quick reference and a final exam to test your knowledge. Like previous modules in the Mesoscale Meteorology Primer, this module comes with audio narration, rich graphics, and a companion print version.
06 October 2009
Identificación de estructuras dinámicas: Análisis de zonas de deformación
This is the Spanish translation of the module Deformation Zone Analysis. The quick analysis of deformation zones provides an overview of system-relative atmospheric circulations. Since deformation is a primary factor in frontogenesis and frontolysis, understanding of these system-relative circulations is crucial to the diagnosis of atmospheric processes and weather prediction. This module takes 75 - 90 minutes to complete. It is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".
29 September 2009
The NWS Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast System
In this webcast, Dr. Richard Koehler, the National Hydrologic Sciences Training Coordinator for NOAA's NWS provides an introduction to the elements of the NWS Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast System (HEFS). The module starts with a background on Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP), along with an historical perspective on its development. Details are then provided on the need for and characteristics of hydrologic ensemble forecasts. A comparison is made to show how hydrologic and meteorological ensembles differ. Dr. Koehler then looks at the relationship between probability, risk and uncertainty as well as the probabilistic information within hydrologic ensemble products. Also discussed is how errors and uncertainty arise from both meteorological and hydrologic data input as well as the uncertainty within the model itself.
22 September 2009
Writing TAFS for Winter Weather
"Writing TAFs for Winter Weather" is the fourth unit in the Distance Learning Aviation Course 2 (DLAC2) series on producing TAFs that meet the needs of the aviation community. In addition to providing information about tools for diagnosing winter weather and its related impacts, the module extends the Practically Perfect TAF (PPTAF) process to address an airport¿s operational thresholds. By understanding the thresholds at airports for which they produce TAFs, forecasters will be better able to produce a PPTAF. The unit also examines how to communicate effectively the logic and uncertainty using the aviation forecast discussion (AvnFD) and addresses maintaining an effective TAF weather watch and updating the TAF proactively.
15 September 2009
S-290 Unit 3: Fuels covers the effects of fuels on fire behavior and the terminology for describing fuel characteristics, as well as fuel models used for classification. This module is part of the S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior Course.
25 August 2009
Introduction to the North American Ensemble Forecast System (NAEFS)
This webcast introduces the forecaster to the new multiple-forecast-center North American Ensemble Forecast System (NAEFS). Beginning with a brief review of the theory behind ensemble prediction, this presentation then introduces the elements of the NAEFS. These include the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction¿s Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) and the Canadian Meteorological Center¿s Ensemble Forecast System (CEFS). A description of each separate ensemble system is followed by a discussion of how the NAEFS improves the ensemble forecast over either the GEFS or CEFS alone. Next, the post-processed statistical products from the NAEFS are described, with examples, and some caveats are provided about their use. Finally, cold and warm season case examples are presented in the final section.
04 August 2009
Siklus Hidup Osilasi Madden Julian (MJO) [pages in Indonesian]
This Webcast, is an expert lecture by Dr. Roland Madden, where he describes the important climate-moderating feature, the Madden-Julian oscillation which is known more commonly as the MJO. The Webcast is presented in five sections and covers the identification and variability of the MJO. He also introduces some of the many global weather impacts that are associated with MJO occurrences. A forecaster who attended the original classroom presentation had the following to say¿¿This [lecture] was really the best yet! And hearing it from the "father" of the MJO made it so much better. It was so easy for me to empirically relate my years of observing the weather to this cycle. I am convinced this is where we can make the money in the improvement of 2 to 4 week forecasts in the next several years.¿
04 August 2009
Cambio climático: Cómo encajan las piezas
Translated to Spanish, this module discusses climate change, particularly as it is currently being affected by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted by human activities. It also covers signs of climate change, how scientists study climate, the current thinking on future changes, and what can be done to minimize the effects.
28 July 2009
Distributed Hydrologic Models for Flow Forecasts - Part 1
Distributed Hydrologic Models for Flow Forecasts - Part 1 provides a basic description of distributed hydrologic models and how they work. This module is the first in a two-part series focused on the science of distributed models and their applicability in different situations. Presented by Dr. Dennis Johnson, the module begins with a review of hydrologic models, and then examines the differences between lumped and distributed models. It explains how lumped models may be distributed by subdividing the basin and suggests when distributed hydrologic models are most appropriate. Other topics covered include the advantages of physically-based versus conceptual approaches and some strengths and challenges associated with distributed modeling.
14 July 2009
Analyse d´une zone de déformation
The quick analysis of deformation zones provides an overview of system-relative atmospheric circulations. Since deformation is a primary factor in frontogenesis and frontolysis, understanding of these system-relative circulations is crucial to the diagnosis of atmospheric processes and weather prediction. This is a French translation of the original English module that is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".
14 July 2009
Diagnostic d´une zone de déformation
Following an analysis of the main features of a deformation zone, the diagnosis of temporal and spatial changes in these features can be used to deduce underlying meteorological processes and their progression. In turn, this knowledge can then be used in the forecast process to adjust the forecast accordingly. This module takes 35-45 minutes to complete. It is a French translation of the original English module which is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".
14 July 2009
Temas de introducción a la oceanografía
Now translated into Spanish, this distance learning course provides ocean forecasters with a solid foundation for more advanced study in oceanography. The three modules that comprise this course provide introductions to tides, currents, and ocean models.
26 June 2009
Satellite Feature Identification: Blocking Patterns
Satellite Feature Identification: Blocking Patterns examines how water vapor imagery can be used to help diagnose blocking patterns and their dissipation. Four major blocking patterns are covered in this module: Blocking highs, Cut-off lows, Rex blocks and Omega blocks. This module is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".
25 June 2009
Jason-2: Using Satellite Altimetry to Monitor the Ocean
Altimeters onboard satellites such as Jason-2 measure sea surface height and other characteristics of the ocean surface. These characteristics are linked to underlying processes and structures, making altimetry data useful for understanding the full depth of the global ocean. This 75-minute module explores major discoveries made possible by altimetry data in oceanography, marine meteorology, the marine geosciences, climate studies, the cryosphere, and hydrology. For example, altimeters have played a vital role in detecting and monitoring sea level rise and its relation to climate change. The module also describes many of the practical applications of altimetry data, for example, in hurricane forecasting and monitoring climate events such as ENSO. Finally, the module describes Jason-2, which was launched in 2008, its products and services, and the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM), of which it is a part. OSTM is a collaboration between EUMETSAT and CNES (Europe) and NOAA and NASA (United States).
24 June 2009
S-290 Unit 2: Topographic Influences on Wildland Fire Behavior
S-290 Unit 2: Topographic Influences on Wildland Fire Behavior provides an overview of how topography affects fuels and the direction and spread of wildland fires. Information on features of topographic maps and estimating slope is also presented. This module is part of the S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior Course.
24 June 2009
El ciclo de vida de la oscilación de Madden-Julian
This Spanish version Webcast is an expert lecture by Dr. Roland Madden, where he describes the important climate-moderating feature, the Madden-Julian oscillation which is known more commonly as the MJO. The Webcast is presented in five sections and covers the identification and variability of the MJO. He also introduces some of the many global weather impacts that are associated with MJO occurrences.
24 June 2009
Niebla de costa occidental continental
Translated to Spanish, this is part of the Physical Processes Professional Competency Unit of the Forecasting Low-Altitude Clouds and Fog for Aviation Operations Professional Development Series. West Coast Fog discusses the climatology, physical processes, and evolution of hot spell fogs along the U.S. West Coast.
23 June 2009
S-290 Unit 1: The Fire Environment
S-290 Unit 1: The Fire Environment examines the components of the fire environment triangle and how each affects fire behavior. As part of this topic, heat transfer mechanisms and firebrand transport and the contribution to fire behavior are included. Basic fire terminology is introduced and will be used throughout the course. Later units in the S-290 course will build upon material introduced in this module.
05 June 2009
Satellite Feature Identification: Ring of Fire
Satellite Feature Identification: Ring of Fire introduces forecasters to the potentially damaging convection that can develop in conjunction with blocking high pressure centers and examines how to identify it from a water vapor imagery perspective. This module is part of the series "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".
03 June 2009
Precipitation Estimates, Part I: Measurement
This is part one of a two-module series on estimation of observed precipitation. Through use of rich illustrations, animations, and interactions, this module provides an overview of the science of precipitation estimation using various measuring platforms. First, we define quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) and examine technologies for remote sensing of QPE, including radar and satellite and the strengths and limitations of each. That is followed by an examination of the use of rain gauges for precipitation estimation and important issues to consider with rain gauge measurement. Finally we provide an introduction to the strengths and limitations of using precipitation climatology for QPE including PRISM.
03 June 2009
Taller regional de entrenamiento satelital de la OMM
The "Regional Training Course on the Use of Environmental Satellite Data in Meteorological Applications for RAIII and IV," which took place in Córdoba, Argentina between September 22 and October 3, 2008, was sponsored by WMO and NOAA NWS, and organized with the assistance of CONAE, CIRA, UBA, INPE, Eumetsat and The COMET Program. The goal of the training course was to increase the skills of Latin American meteorologists for providing better services through the use of environmental satellites. This Webcast collection offers the following seven lectures presented at the workshop, five in Spanish, and two in English: 1) Sistemas que cruzan el ecuador: Intrusiones en el hemisferio Norte y Sur (Mr. Mike Davison, HPC International Desk); 2) Los productos de Meteosat y Metop para las Américas (Mr. José Prieto, EUMETSAT); 3) Procesos de mesoescala y tiempo severo. Influencia de la corriente en chorro en capas bajas en el Sudeste de Sudamérica en la convección profunda (Matilde Nicolini, Grupo de Modelado de Mesoescala CIMA-CONICET/DCAO-Universidad de Buenos Aires); 4) Datos y productos satelitarios disponibles para Sudamérica (Lic. Gloria Cristina Pujol); 5) Forecasts and Warnings of Aviation Hazards:Turbulence and 6) Warnings of Aviation Hazards: Detecting Icing Clouds (Mr. Herbert Puempel, WMO/RMTC); and 7) Ciclogénesis (Mrs. Claudia M. Campetella, Dpto. de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y los Océanos, Universidad de Buenos Aires). Note: Most of the lectures in this collection are delivered in Spanish. Accordingly, the quiz and survey are available only in Spanish.
29 May 2009
This is the Spanish translation of the Radiation Fog module that presents the physical processes and life cycle of radiation fog, including its preconditioning environment, initiation, growth, and dissipation. The processes include radiation (both solar and longwave), soil-atmosphere thermal interactions, turbulent mixing, the roles of condensation nuclei, and droplet settling. Each section includes a set of interactive questions based on the learning content presented.
21 May 2009
Mesoscale Ocean Circulation Models
This module examines mesoscale ocean circulation models and features and processes that they predict. These models simulate temperature, salinity, currents, and elevation in 3 dimensions through a period of time. They have sufficient resolution to simulate features like fronts, eddies, upwelling, and internal tides. In this module, we examine current operational models, limitations to model forecasts, examples of predicted ocean features, and potential applications.
20 May 2009
Originally published in 1999, this is one of COMET's first web-based modules. It has been rebuilt in a new format to remove some legacy technology and now includes a print version.
19 May 2009
Ocean waves near shore impact public safety, commerce, navigation, and, of course recreation. Predicting these waves has driven efforts to model them for more than two decades. This module introduces forecasters to different nearshore wave models, including phase-resolving and 1- and 2-dimensional spectral models. It describes the processes that wave models simulate, the assumptions they make, the initial and boundary conditions required to run the models, and potential sources of error in model forecasts. While focusing on SWAN, the module also examines the Navy Standard surf Model and Bouss-2D.
11 May 2009
Climate Change: Fitting the Pieces Together
This module discusses climate change, particularly as it is currently being affected by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted by human activities. It also covers signs of climate change, how scientists study climate, the current thinking on future changes, and what can be done to minimize the effects.
11 May 2009
Pronóstico de tormentas de polvo
This is the Spanish translation of Forecasting Dust Storms, a module in the Mesoscale Meteorology Primer. The module starts by discussing the conditions required for a dust storm, including an appropriate source of dust, sufficient wind and turbulence, and an unstable atmosphere. The module then explores the fate of dust in the atmosphere including dispersion, advection, and settling. The concluding section on forecasting examines a case in the Middle East and demonstrates the use of a mesoscale NWP model, as well as next-generation dust forecasting models.
11 May 2009
Niebla por forzamiento dinámico
This is the Spanish translation of the Dynamcally Forced Fog module of the Mesoscale Meteorology Primer. Fog frequently forms in response to dynamically forced changes in the boundary layer. This module examines dynamically forced fog in the coastal and marine environment, focusing on advection fog, steam fog, and west coast type fog. The focus of the module is on the boundary layer evolution of air parcels as they traverse trajectories over land and water. The module also examines mesoscale effects that impact the distribution of fog and low-level stratus over short distances. A general discussion of forecast products and methodologies concludes the module.
22 April 2009
S-290 Unit 9: Observing the Weather
This webcast covers procedures for taking accurate weather observations using belt weather kits and descriptions of other common weather observing equipment used in fire weather. In addition, maintenance of the primary components of the belt weather kit are demonstrated.
04 April 2009
Environmental Satellite Resource Center (ESRC) v1.1
COMET is pleased to announce the release of an update to the Environmental Satellite Resource Center (ESRC) to better suit our users' needs. Aside from amassing hundreds of reliable, searchable, user-submitted resources over the last six months, the usability, security, and functionality have all been increased per user input. Saving incomplete resource submissions, copying previously submitted resources, and using foreign language character sets are just a few of the additions users can now take advantage of when using version 1.1 of the ESRC. Try the newest incarnation of the ESRC now.
19 March 2009
Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, Chapter 5: Tropical Variability
Chapter 5, Tropical Variability, is the fourth published chapter of the online textbook, Introduction to Tropical Meteorology. This chapter presents an overview of the major cycles dominating intraseasonal and interannual variability in the tropics. Characteristic atmospheric and oceanic patterns for each oscillation are presented and methods for tracking the evolution of these cycles are described. Observations and conceptual models of equatorial waves are presented. Classical solutions for equatorial waves are outlined and the effects of moisture on the expression of these waves are discussed. Since the tropics are not an isolated region of the globe, the impacts of these cycles on higher latitudes are also explored. In view of the recent interest on the effects of long-term climate variability, the potential role of multidecadal oscillations in modulating these shorter cycles is discussed.
11 March 2009
We added a RSS feed as a means to distribute new module publication information. There's a link to the feed on our home page as well as on our Subscribe to Updates page.
26 February 2009
BoM Aviation Fog Case Exercise
This case exercise focuses on a potential fog event in Melbourne, Australia, on 6-7 April 2008. The key aim of this module is to step through the forecast process during a potential fog event from the perspective of an aviation forecaster with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. This involves consideration of model guidance and observations, identification of potential areas of fog, forecasting and nowcasting fog formation and clearance, and considering and providing TAF updates throughout.
26 February 2009
Casos de estudio de tormentas severas australianas
This is the Spanish version of the Australian Severe Thunderstorm Case Studies module. In this Southern Hemisphere-focused module, the student can work through one major Australian severe thunderstorm event in detail and examine aspects of two other severe thunderstorm events as well. Follow a forecast time-line to assess data and make decisions from the pre-storm phase through the warning phase. NOTE: The Bureau of Meteorology owns this module, NOT the COMET Program.
26 February 2009
Efectos locales sobre niebla y nubes estratos bajas
This is the Spanish version of the Local Influences on Fog and Low Stratus module. Local and mesoscale influences can make or break your fog or stratus forecast. Influences of local water bodies, terrain, vegetation, soil characteristics, and coastal features on the lower atmosphere can play a vital role in the development, duration, and intensity of these events. As part of the Distance Learning Course 1: Forecasting Fog and Low Stratus, this module examines several of these influences and discusses how they enhance or inhibit a fog or stratus event.
13 February 2009
Marine Wind and Wave Forecasting Tools
We've compiled a set of interactive forecasting tools, taken from our wind and wave forecasting modules, for use in the marine forecast process. These interactive pieces can be used directly on our webpage or you can download copies that can be run locally on a Microsoft Windows XP computer.
11 February 2009
Understanding DroughtThis webcast provides an introduction to drought. It presents the measures and scales of drought and how drought is monitored. It also covers how drought is predicted, the impacts of drought, and provides information about drought-related resources. This content serves as a foundation to learning more about climate variability and operational climate services and prepares users for the national implementation of NIDIS.
30 January 2009
S-290 Unit 8: Keeping Current with the WeatherThe "S-290 Unit 8: Keeping Current with the Weather" distance learning module describes fire weather information and products available from Predictive Services and the National Weather Service. Summaries of the products, including significant fire potential, monthly and seasonal outlooks, fire weather planning forecasts, and spot forecasts, are presented. The unit also outlines the types of support available from Fire Behavior Analysts and Incident Meteorologists assigned to a fire and provides guidance for receiving updated weather information using the Internet.
28 January 2009
Using Climatological Products in Common OperationsThis module answers the question, "How can climate data and products from the U.S. Air Force’s climate division (the 14th Weather Squadron) assist Department of Defense (DoD) forecasters in preparing for assignments to new locations and handling requests for specific information?" The 14th Weather Squadron is the DoD’s largest source of climatological data and analysis products and offers a standard suite of climate analysis products that are available both as preformatted text and graphics and, increasingly, as customizable products with user-defined variables. This module teaches forecasters, especially those in the U.S. DoD, how to understand and use these data and products in their jobs. This is especially important in areas of the world with little available weather information, where climatology provides the best, if not only, way of determining likely weather conditions to assist in planning and operations. The module contains five scenarios that model using the Climate Analysis Process (CAP).
26 January 2009
L'élaboration de produits météorologique à partir de données satellitairesThis is the French translation of the "Creating Meteorological Products from Satellite Data" module" which presents an overview of how satellite data are turned into the satellite products used by operational forecasters and the research and educational communities, etc. The module begins by describing the process of creating simple image products that use relatively simple image manipulation techniques to highlight properties such as wind-blown dust, vegetation, and cloud phase. The module then describes some of the more complex processes involved in generating quantitative products, such as cloud identification, atmospheric instability, wildfire characterization, and sea surface temperature. Finally, the module introduces advanced products that use the thousands of channels on hyperspectral instruments to derive a variety of geophysical parameters related to the characterization of aerosols, trace gases, cloud microphysics, and atmospheric profiling, etc. The discussion of quantitative products uses the example of the Meteosat cloud mask, which indicates whether a pixel in a satellite image is clear or cloudy. Cloud mask products are important to all environmental satellites in that they form the basis for many other derived products.
22 December 2008
Topics in Tropical MeteorologyThis module brings together six short lessons about significant atmospheric and oceanic influences on tropical cyclone development in the Atlantic Ocean. Topics treated include the African Easterly Jet, the Loop Current, the Meridional Overturning Circulation, ocean heat content, the Saharan Air Layer, and the Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough, or TUTT.
19 December 2008
GOES-R: Benefits of Next-Generation Environmental MonitoringThis module is an introduction to NOAA's next generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) series, focusing on the value and anticipated benefits derived from an enhanced suite of instruments for improved monitoring of meteorological, environmental, climate, and space weather phenomena and related hazards. An extensive set of visualizations highlight GOES-R and its advanced observing capabilities for providing support in thirteen key environmental application areas including air quality and visibility, climate, cloud icing, fires, hurricanes, land cover, lightning, low clouds and fog, marine and the coastal environment, precipitation and flooding, severe storms and tornadoes, space weather, and volcanoes. The module includes an overview of the GOES-R space and ground infrastructure, highlighting key elements and services of the GOES-R program. In addition, the module reviews and contrasts basic concepts and capabilities applicable to geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites, exploring the complementary nature of the two systems. The module concludes with a collection of resource materials, including imagery, animations, and tables extracted from the module for easy access and for use in development of presentations and other learning materials.
16 December 2008
Percepción remota por microondas: aplicaciones de superficie terrestre y oceánicaThis module, now translated into Spanish, introduces the concepts and principles basic to retrieving important land and ocean surface properties using microwave remote sensing observations from polar-orbiting satellites. Section one reviews the advantages of microwave remote sensing from polar-orbiting platforms and briefly highlights some of the unique spectral characteristics that allow for differentiation between various surface types and properties. Subsequent sections present a more in-depth look at the derivation and application of microwave products that quantify four different land and ocean surface properties and their characteristics, including snow cover and water equivalent, sea ice, surface wetness and soil moisture, and sea surface temperature. The module reviews both past and current satellite missions and also discusses the future NPOESS constellation that is expected to include a passive microwave sensing capability beginning with the second NPOESS satellite. This module takes about 120 minutes to complete.
3 December 2008
New Environment and Society Topic AreaA new topic area, titled Environment and Society, was added to the MetEd Website. From space weather to hurricanes to health, these modules explore the bridge between people and their environment. Produced for broadcasters, meteorologists, emergency managers, and students, they all touch on weather and climate’s reach into human lives whether on an icy nighttime road, the business end of a flash flood, or in the shadow of a looming hurricane.
These modules should interest anyone who wants to learn more about how weather, climate and the environment can affect them – and what they should do about it if they find themselves in harm’s way.
25 November 2008
Weather and HealthThis course will help meteorologists and others broaden their understanding of the impacts of weather and climate on public health, including the impacts of heat waves and cold temperatures, winter storms and thunderstorms, flooding, drought, poor air quality, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfire, UV radiation, and others. This course is directed to broadcast meteorologists, in particular, who play a critical role in the community by helping the public to protect against weather-related health threats and by promoting good health. The course also describes the public health communication system, providing information about reliable public health services, tools, and resources.
21 November 2008
S-290 Unit 5: Temperature and Relative Humidity Relationships"S-290 Unit 5: Temperature and Relative Humidity Relationships" module focuses on methods of describing humidity in the atmosphere and how temperature changes can affect relative humidity. Topics from this module will be further related to effects on potential fire behavior in other modules of the Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior Course.
14 November 2008
Microwave Remote Sensing Topics Distance Learning CourseThis self-paced distance learning course provides forecasters, students, researchers, developers, and other interested learners with a foundation in the science, products, and applications of space-based satellite microwave remote sensing.
The three core modules that comprise this course are:
* Microwave Remote Sensing: Clouds, Precipitation, and Water Vapor
* Microwave Remote Sensing: Land and Ocean Surface
* Advances in Microwave Remote Sensing: Ocean Wind Speed and Direction
For those with an additional interest in this topic, the course Web site provides extra materials including a module introducing microwave remote sensing for environmental applications, a module giving background information about microwave remote sensing from polar-orbiting satellites, and two application focused modules (i.e., tropical cyclones and tropical rainfall potential).
5 November 2008
Operational Use of Wave Watch IIIIn this webcast, Dr. Hendrik Tolman (NOAA Marine Analysis Branch) discusses the operational use of NOAA WAVEWATCH III. The NOAA WAVEWATCH III is a forecast system that predicts wind-generated ocean waves. Dr. Tolman discusses what WAVEWATCH III can and cannot predict along with the model physics, numerics, and forecast products. Numerous examples illustrate the practical effects of several recent model improvements including high-resolution hurricane winds, surf zone physics, wave partitioning, and use of a multi-grid mosaic. The webcast concludes with a discussion of future improvements planned for the wave forecast system.
27 October 2008
S-290 Unit 4: Basic Weather ProcessesThe "S-290 Unit 4: Basic Weather Processes" distance learning module summarizes atmospheric structure and composition, the Sun-Earth radiation budget, weather elements used to describe the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, and temperature lags observed both daily and seasonally. The content introduces the concepts of pressure, atmospheric heating, and temperature and provides a basis for understanding weather topics that are explored in more detail in other modules of the Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior Course (http://www.meted.ucar.edu/dl_courses/S290/).
14 October 2008
Advanced Satellite Sounding: The Benefits of the Hyperspectral ObservationThis webcast is an expert lecture presented by Dr. Mitch Goldberg, Chief of the Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division at NOAA/NESDIS. His presentation is divided into four sections 1) the importance of satellite observing systems, 2) a brief review of remote sensing principles, 3) results from current observing systems including AIRS, IASI, and CrIS, and 4) the importance of having hyperspectral soundings also taken from geostationary orbit. The lecture introduces listeners to what hyperspectral observations are, how they are done, some current products, and how these observations contribute to improved monitoring of atmospheric temperature, moisture, and even trace gases, environmental hazards, climate, oceans, and land. It also discusses how these data lead to improvements in numerical weather prediction.
13 October 2008
NWP Workshop on WRF and NAEFSThe Workshop on the Weather Research and Forecast model and the North American Ensemble Forecast System was given at the regional training center in Pretoria, South Africa in October, 2007, sponsored by NOAA NWS, coordinated by Wassila Thiaw (African Training Desk Coordinator, NCEP), and organized with the assistance of the WMO and South Africa Weather Service (SAWS). The goal of the workshop was to support capacity building efforts on the use of numerical weather prediction (NWP) products in Africa. This Webcast collection offers seven lectures from the workshop, including Introduction to Mesoscale Models (WRF), Introduction to Local Area Modeling (WRF), Statistical Methods in Ensemble Prediction (GEFS/NAEFS, Case Study Model Performance (GEFS/NAEFS), Model Jumpiness (GEFS/NAEFS), Operational Use of Bias-Corrected Products (GEFS/NAEFS), and Africa Case Example (GEFS/NAEFS), presented by lecturers Mr. Eric Altshuler (Institute of Global Environment and Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies), Dr. William Bua (UCAR/COMET), and Mr. Richard Grumm (NOAA/NWS).
09 October 2008
Introduction to Statistics for ClimatologyThe effective use of climate data and products requires an understanding of what the statistical parameters mean and which parameters best summarize the data for particular climate variables. This module addresses both concerns, taking a two-pronged approach: 1) focusing on the statistical parameters (mean, median, mode, extreme values, percent frequency of occurrence and time, range, standard deviation, and data anomalies), defining what they mean and how they are calculated using climate data as examples, and 2) focusing on weather and climate variables, identifying the statistical parameters that best represent each one. The module concludes with a discussion of data quality and its impact on weather and climate products. The module is intended for forecasters and others interested in improving their understanding of the basic statistics used in climate products so they can make better use of climatology products for planning and operational purposes. Basic knowledge of meteorology is beneficial although not required. This module is part of COMET's Climatology for Forecasters series.
Archive
To find previous module announcements, check out the What's New Archive.
