MetEd/NorLatMet: MetEd's Northern Latitude Meteorology Community

Description:
This case exercise looks at a barrier jet event over central and eastern Colorado that took on historic significance in terms of snow amounts and variability in snow distribution. The module emphasizes the mechanisms for producing both very large accumulations and extreme small-scale variability. These mechanisms involved both dynamic and thermodynamic processes in this storm. Model and observed analyses and forecasts are considered in detail as the storm unfolds.

Objectives:
• Analyze a Rocky Mountain Front Range heavy precipitation event to determine the influence of a barrier jet on both precipitation type and amount.
• Forecast critical storm features in a barrier jet case, including winds and precipitation type and intensity.
• Monitor the development of the barrier jet features in the context of the larger-scale forcing.
• Examine the important processes governing the termination of the storm.

Estimated time to complete: 2-3 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2006-07-27

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Description:
This case exercise takes an in-depth look at a blowing snow event in the northern mainland of Canada. The case addresses specific low-level wind and snow conditions. Model data, satellite imagery, and observations are provided for assessing the potential for blowing snow and blizzard conditions as the event unfolds.

Objectives:
1. Review the winter climatology of this central Canadian region.
2. Recognize the specific low-level wind and snow conditions conducive to blowing snow/blizzard conditions.
3. Recognize the common synoptic patterns associated with a blowing snow event.
4. Consider the wind speed and direction forecasts for this event.
5. Examine the cessation of blowing snow conditions, from a forecasting standpoint.

Estimated time to complete: 60 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2004-11-08

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Description:
The goal of the EPV chart is to aid operational forecasters in predicting CSI and slantwise convection. The description includes links to the online chart, which is updated twice daily by the CMC, as well as a list of synoptic considerations that will support your use of the EPV chart in identifying regions favorable for CSI and slantwise convection.

Estimated time to complete: 20 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-01-05

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Description:
During this presentation, Dr. Brad Colman (NOAA/NWS) covers both the philosophical and methodological approaches to weather forecasting in general, with a special emphasis on challenges introduced in areas of complex terrain. The insightful comments made by the presenter regarding recommended approaches to applying conceptual models, mesoscale model output, and decision trees in the forecast process are useful to anyone who predicts the weather.

Objectives:
• Review the forecast process.
• Become aware of the challenges of forecasting in the diverse terrain of the Western U.S.
• Review the characteristics of mesoscale circulations.
• Describe the impact of complex terrain on simple geostrophic flow.
• Compare and contrast objective and subjective forecasting techniques.

Estimated time to complete: 35 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2003-12-22

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Description:
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 is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".

Objectives:
* Analyze the air masses and circulations
* Analyze the related paired and companion vorticity centers
* Analyze the related axis of maximum wind and wind maxima
* Analyze the location, orientation and shape of the deformation zone

Estimated time to complete: 75-90 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-03-22

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Description:
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 part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".

Objectives:
* Diagnose the relative intensities of each vorticity center associated with a deformation zone
* Predict the evolution of each associated vorticity center
* Predict the evolution of the deformation zone's location, orientation and shape
* Based on the predicted evolution of a deformation zone, identify areas of frontolysis and frontogenesis and trends in the weather

Estimated time to complete: 35-45 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-11-05

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Description:
The distribution of vorticity centres along an axis of maximum winds follows a fairly predictable pattern based on the characteristics of the flow. By diagnosing these characteristics, the meteorologist is able to quickly deduce the location and relative intensities of the associated vorticity centres as well as the relative sizes of the associated circulations. This information is summarized within the shape and orientation of the associated deformation zones. The deformation zones in turn reveal important details regarding feature motion and thermal advection and thus their diagnosis should be a critical part of the forecast process. This module takes 30-40 minutes to complete. It is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".

Objectives:
* Compare the different characteristics of various flow patterns
* Locate the position and predict the relative intensities of vorticity centres along a flow
* Predict the position of the associated deformation zones based on the location and intensities of the vorticity centres

Estimated time to complete: 30-40 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2008-03-21

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Description:
This exercise tracks Hurricane Michael as it moved into the Maritime region of the Canadian east coast in October, 2000. Analyze data and respond to questions focusing on forecasting the progression of the storm. This case exercise accompanies the Webcast, Hurricanes Canadian Style: Extratropical Transition.

Objectives:
• Distinguish between meteorological parameters favorable to tropical cyclone strengthening and weakening
• Identify meteorological parameters favorable for extratropical transition
• Apply the guidelines used for forecasting the motion of a tropical cyclone undergoing extratropical transition

Estimated time to complete: 30-45 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-06-06

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Description:
This series addresses the use of satellite imagery and focuses attention on the identification of dynamic features using high-resolution satellite imagery with NWP verification. The series will eventually include more than 20 feature presentations on topics such as comma clouds, jet streaks, deformation zones, surface features, convection, and blocking.

Each feature presentation includes interactive identification exercises, analysis and diagnosis, conceptual models, and forecast implications.

Objectives:
• Analyze and diagnose dynamic features in satellite imagery
• Identify discrepancies between numerical model forecasts and atmospheric features
• Apply conceptual models to an atmospheric feature and correct for discrepancies between observed and numerical model analysis

Estimated time to complete: 20-90 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2006-01-10

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Description:
In this Webcast, Dr. James Steenburgh, working for the Department of Meteorology and the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Regional Prediction at the University of Utah, takes a look at cool-season orographic storms in western North America. He provides a brief microphysics review, an overview of cool-season orographic precipitation processes in several mountain ranges, and a look at forecasting tools and techniques. This Webcast is based on a classroom presentation given in Boulder, CO in December 2002.

Objectives:
• Improve knowledge of orographic precipitation processes and their geographical, climatological, and storm-to-storm variability.
• Build or enhance your orographic precipitation forecasting tool chest.
• Illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative precipitation forecasts by high-resolutions models in complex terrain.

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2004-08-09

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Description:
This module discusses the current theories of atmospheric conditions associated with aircraft icing and applies the theories to the icing diagnosis and forecast process. The contribution of liquid water content, temperature, and droplet size parameters to icing are examined. Identification of icing type, icing severity, and the hazards associated with icing features are presented. Tools to help diagnose atmospheric processes that may be contributing to icing and the special case of supercooled large drop (SLD) icing are examined and applied in short exercises.

The use of graphics, animations, and interactive exercises in Forecasting Aviation Icing: Icing Type and Severity helps the forecaster to gain an understanding of icing processes, to identify icing hazards, and to apply diagnosis and forecast tools as aids to evaluate and anticipate potential aircraft icing threats.

The subject matter expert for this module is Dr. Marcia Politovich of
NCAR/Research Applications Program.

This module is also available in French.

Objectives:
The goal of this training module is to help you improve your icing forecasts by

1. Becoming more familiar with the types, conditions, and hazards of aircraft icing.
2. Learning what factors determine icing type and severity, and how they interrelate.
3. Knowing what physical processes create favorable icing conditions.
4. Recognizing the types of mesoscale environments that generate such physical processes.
5. Learning some techniques to apply and patterns to look for when diagnosing data products for possible icing threats.

Performance Objectives

A. Aircraft Icing
1. Name and distinguish between the main types of in-flight aircraft icing; rank them in terms of potential hazard to aviation.
2. Describe the conditions under which the main types of in-flight aircraft icing form.
3. Name and distinguish between the four icing severity reporting categories used by pilots.

B. Icing Factors
1. Name the main factors that determine the type and severity of icing to expect in a given environment.
2. Identify ranges of values for liquid water content, temperature, and altitude that are most favorable to icing.
3. Describe the influence of droplet size on ice collection efficiency and accretion pattern.
4. Predict the most likely icing type and severity level to expect for given ranges of cloud liquid water content, temperature, and droplet size.

C. Icing Environments and Physical Processes
1. Describe the impact to icing of each of the six categories of water phase transitions.
2. Describe several of the most favorable synoptic and mesoscale environments for development of hazardous icing conditions:

• Three patterns that enhance cloud formation and hence icing potential
• Three environments that are especially conducive to supercooled large drop formation
• Two physical processes that support supercooled large drop formation
• Cloud-top conditions most favorable to supercooled large drop formation

D. Data Assessment
1. Assess the icing threat in various layers of skew T-log p diagrams.
2. Identify favorable areas and layers for supercooled large drop formation integrating:
• GOES 3.9 micron imagery
• Skew-T diagrams
• Profiler data
• WSR-88D reflectivity and velocity
• Surface precipitation observations

Estimated time to complete: 3-5 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 1998-03-13

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Description:
This Webcast is based on a COMET classroom presentation by Dr. Gary Lackmann at the 2nd MSC Winter Weather Course held in Boulder, Colorado on 22 February 2002. Dr. Lackmann reviews the basic thermodynamics of freezing and melting and how operational models represent these processes. He also touches upon the biases that occur in the models by looking at examples of melting snow aloft, melting snow at the surface, freezing aloft (ice pellets), and freezing rain. Dr. Lackmann is a faculty member in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University.

Objectives:
1. Examine four thermodynamic scenarios closely, each of which produces a different precipitation situation.

2. Compare sounding, radar, and model signatures associated with these scenarios.

3. Compare the representation of these thermodynamic processes in operational models at and near the surface.

4. Become aware of potential problems with the model forecasts.

5. Examine the limiting processes and requirements for freezing rain.

Estimated time to complete: 35 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-07-03

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Description:
In a detailed 130 page report, Ivan Dubé of the Meteorological Service of Canada reviews the factors that contribute to snow density, and presents a new and improved algorithm based on data from Québec for diagnosing and predicting snow density. A verification of the algorithm is included, along with a few case examples. This document is in English as a .pdf file. A French version is also available: http://meted.ucar.edu/norlat/snowdensity/rapportneigeeau.pdf

Estimated time to complete: 10 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2003-12-18

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Description:
This webcast is based on a presentation by Dr. Moore MSC/COMET Winter Weather Workshop in Boulder, CO, 4 December 2002. In it, he covers the definition of the TROWAL and its role in heavy snow production in the form of bands primarily located to the northwest of the surface low. The various conveyor belts associated with mature winter cyclones are emphasized. The roles of mid-level frontogenesis and conditional symmetric instability in these systems are discussed in the context of heavy snow development.

Objectives:
1. Examine the structure of a mature midlatitude cyclone from the conveyor belt standpoint.

2. Understand how areas where equivalent potential vorticity < 0 are conducive to conditional symmetric instability and snowbands.

3. Demonstrate the positive interaction between frontogenesis and zones favorable for CSI.

4. Compare these features in two CONUS case studies.

Estimated time to complete: 45 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2003-09-23

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Description:
This Webcast is based on a presentation delivered by Jim Abraham of MSC at the Winter Weather Course in February 2001. The presentation discusses how, under the right synoptic conditions, hurricanes and tropical storms undergo a transition process to extratropical cyclones as they move into northern latitudes. During the transition process these "hybrid" systems can bring damaging weather conditions to Eastern Canada and the Northeastern States. It uses several case examples to demonstrate the process.

Objectives:
• Identify meteorological parameters favorable for tropical cyclone formation
• Identify meteorological parameters that inhibit hurricane intensification
• Describe the characteristics of a tropical cyclone prior to extra-tropical transition
• Describe the characteristics of transitioning tropical cyclones
• Detail the regions of a tropical cyclone and extratropical low that generate the greatest rainfall and winds

Estimated time to complete: 45 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-05-02

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Description:
This Webcast features Phil Schumacher, NWS Sioux Falls, South Dakota discussing the conditions that dictate the location of precipitation relative to inverted troughs. Phil presents a composite case study based on collaborative research with Dr. R. Weisman and others, as well as two examples of inverted trough events in the Central Plains. This presentation is based on his presentation at the MSC Winter Weather Course, December 2002, in Boulder, Colorado. The webcast is accompanied by a case exercise, Inverted Trough Case Exercise.

Objectives:
1. Describe inverted troughs and their associated precipitating features.
2. Present the results of a composite inverted trough study, based on the differences between inverted troughs that produce precipitation ahead vs. behind the trough.
3. Demonstrate the use of isentropic techniques in diagnosing important inverted trough features.
4. Look at several case studies demonstrating the impact of inverted troughs on precipitation distributions.

Estimated time to complete: 60 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2004-01-29

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Description:
This exercise follows the progression of a winter weather event across the Central Plains states beginning 1200 UTC on 7 March 1999. Each forecast question is accompanied by Eta model data and includes a forecast discussion by Phil Schumacher, NWS Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This exercise compliments the Webcast, Inverted Troughs and their Associated Precipitation Regimes, based on a presentation by Phil Schumacher at the MSC Winter Weather Course, December 2002, in Boulder Colorado.

Objectives:
1. Identify whether precipitation will be primarily ahead or behind an inverted by applying the conceptual model of inverted trough precipitation organization.

2. Use isentropic analysis to view the affect inverted troughs have on moisture transport and the implied lift associated with inverted troughs.

3. Use the conceptual model of inverted trough precipitation organization to determine the approximate beginning and ending time for significant precipitation associated with inverted troughs.

Estimated time to complete: 45 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2004-01-29

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Description:
This Webcast, presented by Dr. Jim Moore of St. Louis University, covers the advantages and applications of diagnosis and visualization of large-scale flow and vertical motion on surfaces of constant potential temperature. The movement of moisture along these surfaces is emphasized, as is the diagnosis of the components of vertical motion. Background mathematical concepts are presented, then illustrated with soundings, cross sections, and plan view analyses of data from multiple cases.

Objectives:
1. Understand the concepts of pressure advection and system relative flow.

2. Understand dynamic destabilization and associated environmental moistening.

3. Diagnose static stability, upper fronts and CSI in this framework.

4. Examine at frontogenesis and transverse jet streak circulations on vertical cross sections with analyzed potential temperature fields.

5. Examine the components of vertical motion in an isentropic framework.

6. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of isentropic analysis.

7. Examine a wintertime case study utilizing isentropic analysis.

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-11-19

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Description:
This Webcast is based on a presentation given by Dr. James T. Moore of Saint Louis University at the 5th Annual MSC/COMET Winter Weather Workshop on 30 November 2004 in Boulder, Colorado. Dr. Moore reviews many aspects of jet streak dynamics including convergence/divergence, ageostrophic winds, propagation, and coupled jets.

Objectives:
• Define "jetstreak"
• Note the divergence associated with upper-level waves
• Describe the relationship of divergence with vertical windshear
• Describe the relationship of the ageostrophic wind components with upper-level and low-level jets
• Compare the direct thermal circulation in the entrance region with the indirect thermal circulation in the exit region of an upper-level jet
• Identify how the curvature of an upper-level jet affects divergence and convergence
• Describe the impact thermal advection has on vertical motion and entrance and exit circulations
• Gain an understanding of the characteristics of unbalanced jets and coupled jets

Estimated time to complete: 50 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2005-04-25

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Description:
The Mesoscale Aspects of Winter Weather Forecasting effort is comprised of a growing series of in-depth case exercises bundled with supporting topics. This site provides access to the supporting topics seperate from the case exercises.

Estimated time to complete:

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2003-10-12

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Description:
This case study is the first in the Mesoscale Aspects of Winter Weather Forecasting module series. The case is presented as a series of challenging forecast questions followed by a more traditional case study presentation. Included in the exercise is a rich set of data products and a series of background materials on lake/ocean effect snow and winter microphysics processes.

Objectives:
• Recognize the necessary synoptic precursors for an ocean effect snow
event off the east coast of New England and Atlantic Canada.
• Identify the mesoscale factors that lead to the establishment of ocean effect snow bands.
• Recognize ocean effect snow bands from satellite and radar
displays.
• Recognize the potential for enhancement and eventual dissipation of ocean
effect snow bands with the changing synoptic conditions.

Estimated time to complete: 1-2 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2003-05-29

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Description:
Operational Models Matrix: Characteristics of Operational NWP Models, part of the Numerical Weather Prediction Professional Development Series, contains information about the characteristics and architecture of commonly used operational models, their operationally significant strengths and weaknesses, and model assessment tools. The information is updated whenever significant model changes are made.

The module is linked to the Impact of Model Numerics on Weather Depiction module (also in the NWP PDS), which provides background information about model components.

The subject matter expert for this module is Dr. Ralph Petersen of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Environmental Modeling Center (NCEP/EMC).

Estimated time to complete: 3-5 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-10-19

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Description:
This is part 1 of a 2-part Webcast based on a presentation by Dr. David Whiteman on August 11, 2004 in Boulder, CO. Dr. Whiteman presents conceptual and practical information regarding winds in the planetary boundary layer in complex terrain. Part 1 topics include diurnal wind systems, mountain-plain wind systems, and slope wind systems.

Objectives:

• Identify the characteristics of diurnal wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of mountain-plain wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of slope wind systems

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-03-22

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Description:
This is part 2 of a 2-part Webcast based on a presentation by Dr. David Whiteman on August 11, 2004 in Boulder, CO. Dr. Whiteman presents conceptual and practical information regarding winds in the planetary boundary layer in complex terrain. Part 2 topics include valley wind systems, cross-valley wind systems, diurnal mountain-wind systems, and plateau-basin wind systems.

Objectives:

• Identify the characteristics of valley wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of cross-valley wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of diurnal mountain-wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of plateau-basin wind systems

Estimated time to complete: 75 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-04-06

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Description:
Polar lows are generally short-lived but intense events that occur over cold ocean waters, poleward of a baroclinic zone. The polar low in this case formed over the open waters of Ungava Bay, in northeastern Canada, on 2 December 2000. The case is presented as a series of challenging forecast questions followed by a more traditional case study presentation. Included in this exercise is a rich set of data products and access to background materials on polar low forecasting.

Objectives:
1. Recognize the synoptic scale precursors of polar lows
2. Recognize the low-level surface features that are conducive to the development of polar lows
3. Recognize the development of a polar low from observations. Identify polar lows using satellite imagery
4. Understand the limitations of model initialization and output for polar low forecasting
5. Apply understanding of polar low steering mechanisms to a tracking forecast

Estimated time to complete: 1-2 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2004-04-02

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Description:
This interactive case exercise covers a 24-hour forecast period that
includes the challenge of precipitation type forecasting. The case
exercise provides an overview of precipitation type forecasting based on
model algorithms, partial thickness analysis, and the top-down method.

Objectives:
• Understand the limitations of NWP models in precipitation type forecasts.
• Apply partial thickness analysis for forecasting precipitation type.
• Apply the top-down Method for forecasting precipitation type.

Estimated time to complete: 27-90 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2005-09-27

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Description:
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".

Objectives:
* Identify when and where blocking patterns most frequently occur
* List the forecasting advantages of identifying and analyzing blocking patterns via water vapor satellite imagery
* Draw the 500mb pattern of the 4 main types of blocks and outline their associated weather conditions
* Identify any blocking patterns present in water vapor imagery
* Locate the deformation zones of blocking patterns, and be able to diagnose their dissipation on water vapor satellite animations

Estimated time to complete: .50 - .75 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2009-06-26

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Description:
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".

Objectives:
* List the forecasting advantages of identifying and analyzing Ring of Fire convection via water vapor satellite imagery.
* Describe the typical synoptic conditions leading to Ring of Fire convection.
* Identify Ring of Fire patterns present in water vapor imagery.
* List what types of convection develop, their location, and what kind of damage they can produce in a Ring of Fire event.
* Indicate when a Ring of Fire pattern is dissipating by using water vapor satellite animations.

Estimated time to complete: .25 - .50 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2009-06-05

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Description:
This is the fourth module in our series on open water waves. As deep-water
waves approach the coastline, they encounter shallower water and begin to
interact with the sea floor while evolving into shallow water waves. This
module uses an interactive wave calculator to look at a variety of shallow-water wave behaviors, including shoaling, refraction, reflection, breaking, attenuation, and coastal
run-up and set-up. All are important considerations when forecasting for
small craft and other recreational interests in the near-shore
environment.

Objectives:
By the end of this module, you will have learned:

* What transformations waves undergo as they move from deep water into shallow water

* How to describe and predict the effects of shallow-water processes such as shoaling, refraction, and attenuation

* How to identify and distinguish between the various breaker types, matching them with their corresponding bathymetry

* How to predict the effects of interactions between waves and currents

* The difference between wave run-up and set-up, and how to estimate them

Estimated time to complete: 1.5 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2006-08-01

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Description:
This exercise examines an event that took place in the 24 hour time period beginning at 18Z, Dec 31, 2000 in southern British Columbia, Canada and northern Washington/Idaho, United States. This is a companion piece to the COMET Webcast, Slantwise Convection: An Operational Approach.

Objectives:
• Apply techniques for assessing and forecasting conditional symmetric instability and associated slantwise convection

Estimated time to complete: 45 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-06-17

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Description:
This Webcast is a recreation of a presentation on slantwise convection given by Kent Johnson in February, 2002 in Boulder, Colorado. It focuses on assessing the release of conditional symmetric instability as slantwise convection. It provides an overview of the characteristics and theory of CSI, assessment of CSI and slantwise induced precipitation in complex terrain, and operational challenges to assessing CSI.

Objectives:
1. Show that the atmosphere can be intertially and gravitationally stable, but unstable to a slantwise displacement when near or at saturation.

2. Demonstrate the vertical-cross section approach in diagnosing the potential for conditional symmetric instability (CSI).

3. Examine ways to improve forecasts that involve a potential slantwise convection situation.

4. Examine the typical characteristics of CSI in complex terrain.

5. Apply a slantwise convection analysis to a real world situation.

Estimated time to complete: 40 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-06-17

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Description:
This module introduces forecasters to ten of the most commonly encountered or significant misconceptions about NWP models. This list of ten misconceptions includes issues surrounding data assimilation, model resolution, physical parameterizations, and post-processing of model forecast output.

Estimated time to complete: 100 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-05-02

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Description:
Lake and ocean effect processes can have a significant impact on snowfall amounts in many parts of North America, and can be very tricky to forecast. This short module is a collection of narrated reference material on many aspects of lake effect snow forecasting. It is divided into three main topics: Basic Ingredients of Lake/Ocean Snow, Banding Processes, and Satellite Detection. These materials are also available as the separate Supporting Topics within the case exercise module, Ocean Effect Snow: New England Snow Storm, 14 January 1999: http://meted.ucar.edu/norlat/snow/ocean_effect_case/.

Objectives:
• Identify the key conditions for the formation of lake or ocean effect snows events
• Identify the mesoscale factors that lead to the establishment of ocean effect snow bands.
• Describe how frictional and thermal convergence can impact lake effect snow production
• Recognize ocean effect snow bands from satellite and radar displays.

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2005-02-09

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Description:
This module presents an overview of the climatology, formation, evolution, detection, and forecasting of polar lows. The presentation has five sections: Disturbances in Cold Air Masses; Climatology of Cold Air Vortices and Polar Lows; Monitoring and Nowcasting of Polar Lows; Polar Lows and NWP; and Forecasting Process for Polar Lows. It also includes a printable forecasting checklist.

Objectives:
• Recognize the synoptic scale precursors of polar lows
• Recognize the low-level surface features that are conducive to the development of polar lows
• Recognize the development of a polar lows from observations.
• Identify polar lows using satellite imagery
• Understand the limitations of model initialization and output for polar low forecasting

Estimated time to complete: 1.5 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2004-04-02

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Description:
This module presents an overview of various aspects of precipitation
type forecasting. It includes sections on microphysics and the ice
crystal process, application of partial thickness analysis, application
of the top-down method, and an overview of model algorithms used for
precipitation type analysis.

Objectives:
• Explain the microphysics of snow crystal growth, the interaction of cloud water with
cloud ice, and the important roles of dendrites and aggregation.
• Apply microphysics knowledge to operational settings.
• Apply partial thickness analysis for forecasting precipitation type.
• Apply the top-down Method for forecasting precipitation type.
• Understand the limitations of NWP models in precipitation type forecasts.

Estimated time to complete: 30 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2005-09-27

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Description:
Vorticity maxima signatures are very common and indicate areas of ascending circulation and atmospheric forcing. The correct placement of vorticity maxima is vital to the placement of related dynamic features such as the axis of maximum winds and deformation zones. This module is part of the series “Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette”.

Objectives:
* Identify and predict the vorticity maxima in order to predict areas of positive vorticity advection
* Identify the related axes of maximum winds, deformation zones and air masses

Estimated time to complete: 30-40 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2006-05-22

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Description:
Vorticity minima signatures are common features of the atmosphere. They indicate areas of descending circulation and atmospheric forcing and can be used to diagnose dynamic features such as the axis of maximum winds and deformation zones. This module provides insight on the analysis of these dynamic atmospheric features. This module is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".

Objectives:
* Identify and predict vorticity minima in order to predict areas of negative vorticity advection

* Identify the related axes of maximum winds, shear zones, deformation zones, and air masses

Estimated time to complete: 30-40 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2006-05-22

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Description:
This is the second in a series of training modules on marine wind and waves. The first module discussed wave types and characteristics and is a good primer to this next marine training topic. Wave Life Cycle I: Generation examines how wind creates waves and the inter-relationships between wind speed, wind duration, and fetch length during this process. These three factors are important to predicting wave height and what will limit wave growth. Additional topics include fully developed seas, observation sources, and various special wind events such as coastal jets and instability mixing in the marine boundary layer. While much of this instruction is at a basic level, all marine forecasters will find benefit in the more intermediate and advanced topics. These include the issue of dynamic or “trapped” fetch as well as the use of satellite-based observations of marine winds using the active microwave technique known as scatterometry. User interactions are included throughout the module and within the short case study. The next module in the series will look at propagation and dispersion as the waves leave the generation area.

Objectives:
After completing the module users will be able to:
- Describe how wind generates waves, including how wind speed, fetch length, and duration interact to affect the wave growth process.
- Use a wave nomogram to manually estimate wave height.
- Describe the remote sensing and numerical prediction tools that aid forecasting of wave generation.
- Describe fully developed seas.
- List in situ as well as remote sensing sources of wind observations and describe their capabilities.
- Recall some of the various special wind events such as coastal jets and instability mixing in the marine boundary layer that affect wave generation.
- Describe the issue of dynamic or "trapped" fetch.

Estimated time to complete: 60-90 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2005-07-14

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Description:
The goal of the module is to enable a marine forecaster to manually predict how the wave height and period will change as the waves leave their generation area, become swell, and then propagate and disperse into the forecaster’s offshore coastal waters. While numerical wave prediction models can provide swell height and period forecasts, they are dependent on accurate wind forecasts by atmospheric prediction models. Therefore, manual skills in determining swell height and period are needed in order to cross-check or correct model predictions in cases of poor or unresolved model forecasts of winds. The module starts by discussing how swell propagate along great circle tracks and how these tracks will look different on various map projections. With this in mind the concept of developing a known “swell window” for a given location is introduced. Next, the module uses conceptual animations to demonstrate the effects of dispersion on the swell group as it propagates over a long distance. Also discussed are nonlinear processes, wave steepness, travel time, event duration, and opposing winds. Then the module explains how swell height changes due to angular spreading of wave energy and provides a simplified method to calculate this change. Finally, users are able to test their new understanding of these concepts through a short exercise where they are asked to determine swell height and period at multiple locations. User interactions are included throughout the module and within the short exercise. This is the third in a series of training modules on marine wind and waves. It follows the “Wave Types and Characteristics” and “Wave Generation” modules.

Objectives:
1.State the difference between seas and swell.
2.Recognize that waves propagate along great circle tracks and that these tracks look different on various 2-dimensional map projections.
3.Consider the effects of diffraction around barriers in forecasting swell heights.

4.Identify the effects of dispersion on a wave group, including:
a. waves become sorted by wave period
b. longer period waves outrun shorter period waves
c. swell height and steepness decrease
d. the wave group expands in space
e. the time it takes the entire wave group to pass a point increases

5.Explain how significant swell period can lengthen over time due to nonlinear interactions and dispersion, while individual swell period is conserved.

6.Given initial swell period, propagation distance, and fetch width, use a nomogram to forecast the change in significant swell period due to dispersion of a wave group.

7.Given initial or final swell period, propagation distance, and fetch width, use a swell travel time chart to forecast the time a swell to begin to impact a destination.

8.Using a swell travel time chart, forecast the length of time a wave group will affect a coastal area.

9.Given significant wave height for waves propagating in the central direction of a fetch area, forecast the decrease in significant wave height due to angular spreading for locations up to 70 degrees off the central direction of the wave group.

Estimated time to complete: 60 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2006-01-12

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Description:
This is the first in a series of new marine meteorology modules based on COMET’s old laser disk and CD-ROM modules on marine meteorology. This module is an introduction to waves and their associated characteristics. Several types of waves are presented, from the common wind wave to the rare tsunami wave. The basic physical, mathematical, and statistical traits of waves are discussed, along with how they change once waves become swell. This material serves as a building block to subsequent modules on wave generation, propagation, and dispersion.

Objectives:
After completing the module users will be able to:
- Recall the different wave types based on their different generation sources.
- Describe the physical characteristics of these different wave types, including anatomy and nomenclature
- Recall the mathematical expressions and equations that define physical characteristics
- Recall the statistical traits (i.e., wave spectrum and height
classifications) of waves.
- Describe the processes related to swell travel and dispersion.

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2003-07-31

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Description:
Dans son oeuvre détaillée de 130 pages, Ivan Dubé du Service météorologique du Canada nous rappelle les processus physiques qui déterminent la densité de la neige, et élabore un nouvel algorithme qui permet la diagnose et la prévision améliorées de la densité de la neige. Ce travail est basé sur les données recueillies au Québec. Le document discute aussi les résultats d’un programme de vérification de l’algorithme, et se termine avec quelques cas pour illustrer son utilisation.

Estimated time to complete: 10 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2003-06-00

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Description:
Les cartes de TPE, produites au CMC deux fois par jour, sont disponibles au Web à l’adresse fournie dans ce document. Il s’y trouve aussi une liste de facteurs synoptiques destiné aux météorologues d’exploitation pour encadrer leur utilisation des cartes de TPE dans l’identification et la prévision des régions de l’ICS et de la convection penchée.

Estimated time to complete: 20 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-01-05

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Description:
This is the French version of this module.

This module discusses the current theories of atmospheric conditions associated with aircraft icing and applies the theories to the icing diagnosis and forecast process. The contribution of liquid water content, temperature, and droplet size parameters to icing are examined. Identification of icing type, icing severity, and the hazards associated with icing features are presented. Tools to help diagnose atmospheric processes that may be contributing to icing and the special case of supercooled large drop (SLD) icing are examined and applied in short exercises.

The use of graphics, animations, and interactive exercises in Forecasting Aviation Icing: Icing Type and Severity helps the forecaster to gain an understanding of icing processes, to identify icing hazards, and to apply diagnosis and forecast tools as aids to evaluate and anticipate potential aircraft icing threats.

The subject matter expert for this module is Dr. Marcia Politovich of NCAR/Research Applications Program.

This module is also available in English.

Objectives:
The goal of this training module is to help you improve your icing forecasts by

1. Becoming more familiar with the types, conditions, and hazards of aircraft icing.
2. Learning what factors determine icing type and severity, and how they interrelate.
3. Knowing what physical processes create favorable icing conditions.
4. Recognizing the types of mesoscale environments that generate such physical processes.
5. Learning some techniques to apply and patterns to look for when diagnosing data products for possible icing threats.

Performance Objectives

A. Aircraft Icing
1. Name and distinguish between the main types of in-flight aircraft icing; rank them in terms of potential hazard to aviation.
2. Describe the conditions under which the main types of in-flight aircraft icing form.
3. Name and distinguish between the four icing severity reporting categories used by pilots.

B. Icing Factors
1. Name the main factors that determine the type and severity of icing to expect in a given environment.
2. Identify ranges of values for liquid water content, temperature, and altitude that are most favorable to icing.
3. Describe the influence of droplet size on ice collection efficiency and accretion pattern.
4. Predict the most likely icing type and severity level to expect for given ranges of cloud liquid water content, temperature, and droplet size.

C. Icing Environments and Physical Processes
1. Describe the impact to icing of each of the six categories of water phase transitions.
2. Describe several of the most favorable synoptic and mesoscale environments for development of hazardous icing conditions:

• Three patterns that enhance cloud formation and hence icing potential
• Three environments that are especially conducive to supercooled large drop formation
• Two physical processes that support supercooled large drop formation
• Cloud-top conditions most favorable to supercooled large drop formation

D. Data Assessment
1. Assess the icing threat in various layers of skew T-log p diagrams.
2. Identify favorable areas and layers for supercooled large drop formation integrating:
• GOES 3.9 micron imagery
• Skew-T diagrams
• Profiler data
• WSR-88D reflectivity and velocity
• Surface precipitation observations

Estimated time to complete: 3-5 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2005-10-01

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Description:
Les signatures des minimums de tourbillon sont tout aussi courantes et importantes que celles des maximums de tourbillon. Il est tout aussi important de diagnostiquer où il y a un forçage atmosphérique de descente que d’identifier les zones de forçage atmosphérique d’ascension.

Objectives:
* Identifier et prévoir les minimums de tourbillon afin de prévoir les zones d’advection négative de tourbillon

* Identifier les axes connexes de vents maximums, les zones de cisaillement, les zones de déformation et les masses d’air

Estimated time to complete: 30-40 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2006-05-22

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Description:
Les signatures des maximums de tourbillon sont très courantes et indiquent des zones de circulation ascendante et de forçage atmosphérique. La localisation exacte des maximums de tourbillon est cruciale pour la localisation des caractéristiques dynamiques connexes comme l'axe de vents maximums et les zones de déformation.

Objectives:
* Identifier et prévoir les maximums de tourbillon afin de prévoir les zones d'advection positive de tourbillon

* Identifier les axes connexes des vents maximums, les zones de déformation et les masses d'air

Estimated time to complete: 30-40 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2006-05-22

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Description:
This module introduces forecasters to ten of the most commonly encountered or significant misconceptions about NWP models. This list of ten misconceptions includes issues surrounding data assimilation, model resolution, physical parameterizations, and post-processing of model forecast output.

Estimated time to complete: 100 min

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-06-01

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Description:
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.

The subject matter expert for this module is Dr. Ralph Petersen of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Environmental Modeling Center (NCEP/EMC).

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-06-01

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Description:
Impact of Model Structure & Dynamics, part of the Numerical Weather Prediction Professional Development Series and the NWP Distance Learning Course, provides operationally significant information about model type, horizontal resolution, vertical coordinate systems, vertical resolution, and domain and boundary conditions, with an emphasis on how each aspect can affect a model's ability to depict and forecast weather.

The subject matter expert for this module is Dr. Ralph Petersen of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Environmental Modeling Center (NCEP/EMC).

Estimated time to complete: 3-5 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-06-01

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Description:
Éste es el segundo de una serie de módulos de formación acerca de vientos marinos y olas. En el primer módulo, que ofrece una buena introducción a este tema de capacitación marina, tratamos los tipos de olas y sus características. Este módulo examina cómo el viento crea las olas y la interrelación entre la velocidad, la duración y el alcance del viento en este proceso. Estos tres factores son importantes para predecir la altura de las olas y los factores que limitarán el crecimiento de las olas. Entre los demás temas cubiertos se incluyen mares de desarrollo completo, fuentes de observación y varios eventos especiales relacionados con los vientos, como los chorros costeros y la mezcla por inestabilidad en la capa límite marina. Aunque buena parte de este material se presenta a un nivel de instrucción básico, todos los pronosticadores marinos aprovecharán los temas de nivel intermedio y avanzado, como el problema de alcance de los vientos dinámicos o “atrapados”, así como el uso de las observaciones satelitales de los vientos marinos mediante la técnica activa de microondas denominada dispersometría. El módulo y el breve caso de estudio requieren la interacción del usuario. El próximo módulo de esta serie considerará la propagación y dispersión a medida que las olas salen del área de generación.

Objectives:
Después de terminar el módulo, el usuario podrá:
- describir cómo el viento genera la olas y cómo la interacción entre los aspectos de velocidad del viento, longitud del alcance o zona de generación de olas y duración afecta el proceso de crecimiento de las olas;
- usar un nomograma de oleaje para estimar manualmente la altura de las olas;
- describir las herramientas de percepción remota y de predicción numérica que ayudan a pronosticar la generación de olas;
- describir el concepto de mar completamente desarrollada;
- enumerar las fuentes de observaciones del viento in situ y de percepción remota y describir sus capacidades;
- recordar algunos de los varios tipos de fenómenos eólicos que afectan la generación de olas, como los chorros costeros y la mezcla por inestabilidad en la capa límite marina;
- describir el concepto de alcance dinámico o "atrapado".

Estimated time to complete: 60 - 90 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-08-22

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Description:
Éste es el primero de una serie de nuevos módulos sobre meteorología marina basados en los antiguos módulos de COMET sobre meteorología marina publicados en discos láser y CD-ROM. Este módulo es una presentación preliminar de las olas y las características con ellas asociadas. Se presentan varios tipos de olas, desde las olas comunes levantadas por el viento hasta los poco frecuentes tsunamis. Se describen las características físicas básicas de las olas, así como sus características matemáticas y estadísticas y cómo las olas cambian una vez que se transforman en oleaje. Este material sirve como base para los módulos subsiguientes acerca de la generación, propagación y dispersión de olas.

Objectives:
* Enumerar los distintos tipos de olas según las distintas formas de generación.
* Describir las características físicas de estos diferentes tipos de olas, incluidos los aspectos de anatomía y nomenclatura.
* Recordar las expresiones y ecuaciones matemáticas que definen las características físicas de las olas.
* Recordar las características estadísticas de las olas (p. ej.: clasificaciones de espectro y altura de las olas).
* Describir los procesos relacionados con el movimiento y la dispersión del oleaje.

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2007-10-30

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Description:
Este módulo bilingüe español-inglés presenta las teorías actuales sobre las condiciones atmosféricas asociadas con el engelamiento de aeronaves y aplica dichas teorías al proceso de diagnóstico y pronóstico de engelamiento. También examina el papel de factores tales como el contenido de agua líquida, la temperatura y el tamaño de las gotitas. Se presentan los aspectos de identificación de tipos de engelamiento, la gravedad del engelamiento y los peligros asociados con las características de engelamiento. También se estudian las herramientas que ayudan a diagnosticar los procesos atmosféricos que pueden contribuir al engelamiento y se examina y se aplica en breves ejercicios el caso especial de engelamiento por gotas grandes sobreenfriadas (GGS).

El uso de gráficos, animaciones y ejercicios interactivos ayuda a comprender los procesos de engelamiento, a identificar los peligros de engelamiento y a aplicar las herramientas de diagnóstico y de pronóstico para evaluar y pronosticar las posibles amenazas de engelamiento para las aeronaves. La experta a cargo de este módulo es la Dra. Marcia Politovich de NCAR/Research Applications Program. Este módulo también está disponible en una versión bilingüe inglés-francés.

El objetivo de este módulo de formación es ayudarle a mejorar sus pronósticos de engelamiento. Cuando termine de estudiarlo:

1. Conocerá mejor los tipos de engelamiento de aeronaves y las condiciones y los peligros con ellos relacionados.
2. Entenderá qué factores determinan el tipo y la gravedad del engelamiento, y la relación que existe entre ellos.
3. Sabrá qué procesos físicos crean condiciones favorables para el engelamiento.
4. Podrá reconocer los tipos de ambientes de mesoescala que producen estos tipos de procesos físicos.
5. Conocerá algunas técnicas prácticas y sabrá reconocer ciertos patrones al analizar los productos de datos para identificar las regiones de posible peligro de engelamiento.

Objectives:
Objetivos prácticos

A. Engelamiento de aeronaves
1. Nombrar y distinguir los principales tipos de engelamiento de aeronaves en vuelo, y clasificarlos en términos de peligro potencial para la aviación.
2. Describir las condiciones en las que se forman los principales tipos de engelamiento de aeronaves en vuelo.
3. Nombrar y distinguir las cuatro categorías de informe de gravedad de engelamiento empleadas por los pilotos.

B. Factores de engelamiento
1. Nombrar los factores principales que determinan el tipo y la gravedad del engelamiento que podemos esperar en un entorno dado.
2. Identificar los rangos de valores para contenido de agua líquida (CAL), temperatura y altitud que son más favorables para el engelamiento.
3. Describir el efecto del tamaño de la gotitas sobre la eficiencia de acumulación de las gotas y los patrones de acumulación del hielo.
4. Predecir el tipo de engelamiento más probable y el nivel de gravedad que se puede esperar para ciertos rangos de contenido de agua líquida, temperatura y tamaño de la gotitas.

C. Ambientes y procesos físicos que conducen al engelamiento
1. Describir el impacto de cada una de las seis categorías de transición de fase del agua sobre el engelamiento.
2. Describir varios de los ambientes sinópticos y de mesoescala más favorables para el desarrollo de condiciones de engelamiento peligrosas:
• Tres patrones que intensifican la formación de nubes y, por tanto, el potencial de engelamiento.
• Tres entornos particularmente propicios para la formación de gotas grandes sobreenfriadas (GGS).
• Dos procesos físicos que apoyan la formación de gotas grandes sobreenfriadas (GGS).
• Las condiciones en las cimas de las nubes más favorables para la formación de gotas grandes sobreenfriadas (GGS).

D. Evaluación de datos
1. Evaluar el peligro de engelamiento en varias capas en diagramas oblicuos T - log p.
2. Identificar áreas y capas favorables para la formación de gotas grandes sobreenfriadas integrando los siguientes materiales:
• imágenes de 3,9 micrómetros del GOES
• diagramas oblicuos T - log p
• datos del perfilador del viento
• datos de reflectividad y velocidad de radar WSR-88D
• observaciones de precipitación en la superficie

Estimated time to complete: 3-5 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2008-06-09

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Description:
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 is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".

Objectives:
• Analyze the air masses and circulations
• Analyze the related paired and companion vorticity centers
• Analyze the related axis of maximum wind and wind maxima
• Analyze the location, orientation and shape of the deformation zone

Estimated time to complete: 1.00 - 1.25 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2009-07-14

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Description:
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 part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".

Objectives:
• Diagnose the relative intensities of each vorticity center associated with a deformation zone
• Predict the evolution of each associated vorticity center
• Predict the evolution of the deformation zone's location, orientation and shape
• Based on the predicted evolution of a deformation zone, identify areas of frontolysis and frontogenesis and trends in the weather

Estimated time to complete: .50 - .75 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
 * Plug-in information

Last published on: 2009-07-14

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