This module provides a brief overview of Buoyancy and CAPE. Topics covered include the origin of atmospheric buoyancy, estimating buoyancy using the CAPE and Lifted Index, factors that affect buoyancy including entrainment of mid-level air, water loading, convective ... Read more »
This lesson presents the scientific and technical basis for using visible and infrared satellite imagery so forecasters can make optimal use of it for observing and forecasting the behaviour of the atmosphere. The concepts and capabilities presented are common to most ... Read more »
This module presents an overview of space-based microwave remote sensing for environmental applications with a focus on meteorological applications. It delivers basic information on polar-orbiting satellite characteristics, current microwave instruments, and the products ... Read more »
This lesson introduces microwave products available from JPSS and other polar and low Earth orbiting satellites that depict clouds, atmospheric moisture and precipitation through the use of passive microwave sensing instruments. Through an exploration of two separate ... Read more »
This lesson describes the basics of scatterometers, including how they work, what they measure, and how scatterometer wind estimates are derived. It then discusses some of the challenges inherent in using the wind estimates, such as dealing with ambiguities and rain ... Read more »
In this lesson, learners will interpret scatterometer wind data and apply their knowledge of scatterometry to analyze and diagnose weather features. Learners will further integrate this information alongside other available satellite and NWP datasets from two real tropical ... Read more »
This interactive module is part of an online university-level tropical synoptic meteorology course, which helps international meteorologists meet basic instructional requirements. In the module, we discuss: Mesoscale, thermally-forced circulations (i.e. land-sea breeze ... Read more »
Moisture and precipitation distribution governs life in the tropics. Surplus heating and rising motion in the tropics ignites the global water and energy cycles and influences weather in the midlatitudes. This chapter presents the horizontal and vertical distribution of ... Read more »
Model Fundamentals, part of the Numerical Weather Prediction Professional Development Series and the "NWP Training Series: Effective Use of NWP in the Forecast Process", describes the components of an NWP model and how they fit into the forecast development process. It also ... Read more »
This webcast is a shorter companion to the Ensemble Prediction Explained module, focusing more directly on immediate operational needs. Introductory content includes the role of ensemble forecasts, presentation of basic ensemble forecasting terms, and discussion of how ... Read more »
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 ... Read more »
This module describes the main elements to consider when analyzing wave model and buoy data. The module focuses on data products available from NOAA including spectral plots, maps, and text bulletins. East and West Coast wave-masking exercises conclude the module. The ... Read more »
Tropical cyclones are the deadliest tropical weather systems. This chapter describes their seasonal and geographic variability and controls, decadal cycles, and history of naming conventions. Tropical cyclogenesis is explored in depth and the core and balance solutions for ... Read more »