Overview

Overview of Slantwise Convection and CSI

Release of Symmetric Instability

Presentation Contents

Atmospheric Instability

Key Point: Remember this!

Slantwise Convection Defined

CSI Theory

Ideal CSI Setting

Geostrophic Momentum Equation

CSI Criteria

CSI and PSI

Model Representation

EPV Equation: Math with a Purpose

Math with a Purpose

Components of EPV

Observations

General Observations

Evaluating CSI

Complex Terrain

CSI Assessment in Complex Terrain

Observational Example

CSI In Practice

Slantwise Convection Checklist

Operational Pitfalls

Summary

Resources

Slantwise Convection Case Exercise

Canadian Meterological Centre EPV Charts
Format: Website
This description includes links to the online EPV chart, which is updated twice daily by the CMC, as well as a list of synoptic considerations that support the use of the EPV chart in identifying regions favorable for CSI and slantwise convection.

The Conditional Symmetric Instability (CSI) Homepage
Format: Website
This site is maintained by David Schulz, National Severe Storm Laboratory, and Phil Schumacher, National Weather Service.

Current Techniques for Real-Time Evaluation of Conditional Symmetric Instability
Format: PDF
Paper authored by John S. Snook and published in Weather and Forecasting, Volume 7, September 1992.

CSI Physical Discussion
Format: Website
A discussion by C.A. Doswell III focusing on a "conventional" approach to describing CSI. The author recommends using this information in "illustrating the conceptual tools used to explore instability, in general, rather than as a guide for application of the specific ideas embodied in conventional CSI."

CSI Snow Event Over Wasatch Front, March 4, 1999
Format: Website
Case overview of CSI snow event with data products.

Equivalent Potential Vorticity
Format: Website
Reference page on EPV within the AWIPS Validation Effort site. In the left-hand navigation menu choose DERIVED FIELDS then scroll down to find the link for Equivalent Potential Vorticity.

NOAA Slantwise Convection Scripts
Format: Website
Scripts for use in AWIPS on Linux to examine whether lift, instability and moisture are all available for slantwise convection.

An Operational Ingredients-Based Methodology for Forecasting Winter Season MidLatitude Precipitation
Format: Website
This site offers "an operational tool to help forecasters analyze and predict winter precipitation events." For specifics on instability and CSI, in the left-hand navigation menu, select Instability then Types of Moist Instability p.17-19.

The Use and Misuse of CSI
Format: Website
COMET Webcast based on a presentation by David Schultz, National Severe Storm Center.

Contributors

Sponsors

• Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC)
• National Weather Service (NWS)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Principal Science Advisor

• Kent Johnson — MSC

Project Lead/Instructional Design

• Bruce Muller — UCAR/COMET

Project Meteorologist

• Garry Toth — MSC

Multimedia Authoring

• Dan Riter — UCAR/COMET

Audio Editing/Production

• Seth Lamos — UCAR/COMET

Audio Narration

• Kent Johnson — MSC

Computer Graphics/Interface Design

• Heidi Godsil — UCAR/COMET

Illustration/Animation

• Steve Deyo — UCAR/COMET
• Dan Riter — UCAR/COMET

Software Testing/Quality Assurance

• Michael Smith — UCAR/COMET

Copyright Administration

• Lorrie Fyffe — UCAR/COMET

Data Provided by

• MSC
• NWS — NOAA

COMET HTML Integration Team 2021

• Tim Alberta — Project Manager
• Dolores Kiessling — Project Lead
• Steve Deyo — Graphic Artist
• Ariana Kiessling — Web Developer
• Gary Pacheco — Lead Web Developer
• David Russi — Translations
• Tyler Winstead — Web Developer

COMET Staff, 2002

Director

• Dr. Timothy Spangler

Assistant Director

• Dr. Joe Lamos

Meteorologist Resources Group Head

• Dr. Greg Byrd

Business Manager/Supervisor of Administration

• Elizabeth Lessard

Administration

• Lorrie Fyffe
• Bonnie Slagel

Graphics/Media Production

• Steve Deyo
• Heidi Godsil
• Seth Lamos

Hardware/Software Support and Programming

• Steve Drake (Supervisor)
• Tim Alberta
• Carl Whitehurst

Instructional Design

• Patrick Parrish (Supervisor)
• Dr. Alan Bol
• Dr. Vickie Johnson
• Bruce Muller
• Dr. Sherwood Wang

Meteorologists

• Dr. William Bua
• Patrick Dills
• Doug Drogurub (Student)
• Kevin Fuell
• Jonathan Heyl (Student)
• Dr. Stephen Jascourt
• Matthew Kelsch
• Dolores Kiessling
• Wendy Schreiber-Abshire
• Dr. Doug Wesley

Software Testing/Quality Assurance

• Michael Smith (Coordinator)

Systems Administration

• Karl Hanzel
• James Hamm
• Max Parris (Student)

National Weather Service COMET Branch

• Richard Cianflone
• Anthony Mostek (National Satellite Training Coordinator)
• Elizabeth Mulvihill Page
• Dr. Robert Rozumalski (SOO/SAC Coordinator)

Meteorological Service of Canada Visiting Meteorologists

• Peter Lewis
• Garry Toth