Welcome
Forecasting weather in the vicinity of significant topographic barriers is a difficult challenge. This self-paced distance learning course addresses many of the physical processes induced by mountainous terrain, including: flow interaction with topography and gap flow, mountain valley breezes and downslope windstorms, barrier jets, cold air damming, and some special dynamic and microphysical concerns.
Mountain weather is a complex interaction of synoptic and mesoscale forcing interacting with terrain. To properly anticipate the impact that mountain barriers have on local weather conditions, forecasters need a thorough understanding of mountain-induced phenomena. These self-paced modules, case studies, and lectures discuss many of the significant processes that together are often referred to as mountain weather.
Course Objectives
The instructional objective for this course is to provide a review of the following core concepts:
- Driving forces influencing flow interaction with topography, including:
- Stability
- Vertical wind profile
- Barrier shape
- Diurnal radiation cycle
- Application of the Froude number
- Aviation hazards in complex terrain, including:
- Turbulence
- Icing
- Appropriate application of satellite and NWP products
- Mountain-forced phenomena and their impact on sensible weather
Course Goal
The goal of this course is to improve forecasters' prediction of sensible weather in areas of complex terrain by preparing them to:
- Recognize the potential for key mountain weather phenomena.
- Anticipate typical evolution of major mountain weather events.
- Apply mesoscale models to these unique conditions using knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses in complex terrain.
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