MetEd: Meteorology Education and Training. Operated by the COMET Program

Description:
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.

Objectives:
1. List factors that influence climate on Earth.
2. Identify greenhouse gases and their sources and define their role in climate.
3. Identify the countries that contribute the most to greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Identify ways in which climate and climate change are studied.
5. Describe similarities and differences between weather and climate models.
6. Explain how the current rate of climate change compares with past episodes of climate change.
7. List various pieces of evidence for current climate change.
8. Describe evidence for human involvement in current climate change.
9. Explain the IPCC process.
10. List anticipated effects of future climate change, and determine which are considered most likely.

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: 2009-05-11

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Description:
This Webcast features Heather Hauser of NOAA/ERH/SSD describing the utility of and introducing the methodology for conducting composite analysis as part of the NWS Climate Services program. This 30-minute presentation is intended to introduce climate focal points to the composite analysis process and will be a useful prerequisite to attending the Operational Climate Services residence courses, where the topic will be explored further. Composite analysis is the foundation of a forthcoming local climate-related product, the "3 Month Outlook of Local El Nino/La Nina Impacts."

Objectives:
1. To describe the rationale and utility of composite analysis

2. To identify other training available on composite analysis

3. To ensure that climate focal points know the operational roles and expectations at NWS field offices, and

4. To describe the general methodology for conducting composite analysis

Estimated time to complete: 30 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2005-07-01

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Description:
This Webcast, presented by Dr. Marty Hoerling of NOAA/CIRES/Climate Diagnostic Center, discusses the impacts of El Niño and La Niña variability on both North American and tropical weather. The presentation shows that these two phenomena are not simple inverses of each other and that anticipating their varying intensities is key to making successful climate forecasts. Two other ocean impacts that affect North American climate almost as strongly as ENSO are also introduced.

Estimated time to complete: 40 min

Includes audio: yes

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Last published on: 2003-05-02

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Description:
This module provides an overview of climatology, the study of climate. The module begins by examining the drivers that combine to create the climate regions of the world—from those at the mesoscale (local) level to those at the synoptic-scale (continental) and global-scale levels. Examples include locally dominant winds, air masses, fronts, ocean currents, Earth’s rotation around the sun, and latitude. Each discussion of a climate driver has an ‘example/exploration’ segment, where the information is applied to several cities. The module also examines a scheme for classifying the world’s climate zones, the sources and uses of climate information, and some of its limitations. The module is intended for a wide range of users, from forecasters and scientists to those in business and government as well as the general public—in short, anyone interested in learning about climatology. Some familiarity with basic meteorology is useful although not required.

Objectives:
• Define the terms climate and climatology and differentiate them from weather.
• Describe the key drivers that determine climate regimes at the global-, synoptic-, and meso-scale levels.
• Describe how climate zones are classified and how the classifications can be used to relate similar regimes.
• Describe the general uses and limitations of climatological data.
Identify climatologic data sources.

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Includes audio: yes

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Last published on: 2008-09-22

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Description:
The 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.

Objectives:
1. Define mean, mode, frequency of occurrence and time, extreme value, range, standard deviation, and data anomalies.
2. Using climate data, calculate each statistical parameter (other than standard deviation).
3. Understand which statistical parameters best describe various climate variables.
4. Describe the impacts of data quality on climatology products.

Estimated time to complete: 90 min

Includes audio: no

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Last published on: 2008-10-09

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Description:
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.

Objectives:
At the end of this chapter, you should understand and be able to:
o Describe the basic structure and time scale of the MJO
o Discuss the mechanisms that form the MJO
o Explain the role of the MJO in atmospheric and oceanic variability
o Describe the general characteristics of equatorial waves (Kelvin waves, Rossby waves, Mixed Rossby-Gravity waves) including length scale, duration, and speed
o Explain equatorial wave formation mechanisms graphically or mathematically
o Describe the Walker Circulation
o Define the Southern Oscillation Index
o Describe ENSO in terms of onset, maximum amplitude, and duration
o Describe the previous and current theories of ENSO (from Bjerknes to recent theories such as the delayed oscillator theory or chaotic theory)
o Compare and contrast the warm phase (El Niño) and cold phase (La Niña) patterns in terms of atmospheric and oceanic anomalies across the equatorial Pacific
o Describe at least five climate impacts of El Niño (e.g., drought in Australia, heavy rains in Peru, more winter cyclones across the southern US and the Caribbean, less hurricanes in the Atlantic)
o Describe at least five climate impacts of La Niña (e.g., increased rainfall in West Pacific, drier winter in the southeastern US, wetter summers in the Caribbean and Central America)
o Define the Quasi Biennial Oscillation
o Describe its impact on tropical climate (e.g., influencing seasonal tropical cyclone formation)
o Provide a brief description of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, and the North Atlantic Oscillation
o Describe at least one mechanism by which the tropics can force decadal extratropical variability in the North Atlantic and the North Pacific
o Describe at least one impact of decadal fluctuations on interannual and intraseasonal variability

Estimated time to complete: 2 - 3 h

Includes audio: yes

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Last published on: 2009-03-19

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Description:
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).

Objectives:
After completing this module, learners will be able to:

* Briefly describe how satellite altimetry works
* Identify major scientific discoveries enabled by satellite altimetry in various ocean-related fields
* Describe the varied applications of altimetry data
* Identify the goals of the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM) and Jason-2
* List the basic performance capabilities of Jason-2

Estimated time to complete: 1.00 - 1.25 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2009-06-25

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Description:
This lecture was presented during the ongoing workshops on Climate Variability that are part of the NWS Climate Professional Development Series. During the presentation, Dr. Sardeshmukh presents statistical evidence that demonstrates the impact that climate variability has on weather. The Webcast has an accompanying bibliography and climate glossary.

Estimated time to complete: 50 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2003-02-26

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Description:
This Webcast, is an expert lecture by Dr. Vernon Kousky of NOAA/CPC, entitled "The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Cycle". The presentation covers the identification and global weather impacts associated with both phases of ENSO. This version of the presentation has enhanced graphics and has been modified to include an introduction to the newly established “Operational Niño Index” (ONI). A forecaster who attended the original classroom presentation on The ENSO Cycle had the following to say... “[This lecture was the] best presentation of the workshop! Very comprehensive, from the basics to the more complex issues, easy to follow, and great use of graphics. The presenter did an excellent job of relating the presentation topics to forecasters.”

Estimated time to complete: 30-35 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2003-10-23

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Description:
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.”

Estimated time to complete: 42 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2002-11-08

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Description:
This Webcast, presented by Dr. Klaus Weickmann of NOAA/CIRES/Climate Diagnostic Center, explores the role that the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) plays in global climate variability. The expert lecture is divided into five sections, which give a short overview of the phenomenon, discuss its relationship with sea surface temperatures, compares composite MJO events to individual occurrences, and touches on the ability of models to predict MJO events.

Estimated time to complete: 37 min

Includes audio: yes

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Last published on: 2002-11-08

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Description:
This Webcast, recorded in 2003, is an expert lecture by Dr. Kevin Trenberth of NCAR’s Climate and Global Dynamics division. The presentation includes evidence that the atmosphere is changing, discussions on global energy flows and human factors contributing to change, and concludes with predictions for the future. This version of the presentation has enhanced graphics and links to additional resources. One of the students who attended the original classroom presentation on Climate Change commented that, “Kevin thoroughly discussed global warming and what it really is. I now have a better understanding of the problem.”

Estimated time to complete: 42 min

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2004-06-14

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Description:
Understanding Drought--This 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.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, the user will be able to:
List the main definitions of drought
Describe the measures and scales of drought severity
Describe the monitoring and indicator tools used to forecast changing drought conditions
Describe the impacts drought can have on an area including the intensity scale
List some local, regional, and national drought resources

Estimated time to complete: .75 - 1.00 h

Includes audio: yes

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Last published on: 2009-02-11

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Description:
This 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).

Objectives:
1. Define the steps in the Climate Analysis Process (CAP).
2. Describe the benefits of using CAP to handle new assignments and requests for information.
3. Determine the types of climate products that can provide useful information for particular situations, and interpret some of the data.

Estimated time to complete: 1.25 - 1.50 h

Includes audio: no

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Last published on: 2009-01-28

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Description:
This is the Russian translation of "The Science of Global Climate Change and Human Influences" a Webcast by Dr. Kevin Trenberth of NCAR’s Climate and Global Dynamics division. The presentation includes evidence that the atmosphere is changing, discussions on global energy flows and human factors contributing to change, and concludes with predictions for the future.

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Includes audio: yes

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2006-10-26

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Description:
Este webcast es una conferencia del experto Dr. Roland Madden, quien describe un importante fenómeno moderador del clima conocido como oscilación de Madden-Julian (OMJ). Este webcast está dividido en cinco secciones que cubren la identificación y variabilidad de la oscilación de Madden-Julian. Se mencionan también algunos de los muchos impactos sobre el tiempo asociados a nivel mundial con las ocurrencias de la OMJ.

Estimated time to complete: 1.00 - 1.25 h

Includes audio: no

Required plug-ins:   Flash RealPlayer Java Adobe® Reader®
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Last published on: 2009-06-24

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