The module illustrates the typical synoptic pattern influencing fire weather in southeast Australia. A case study provides insight into how experienced forecasters combine the four key ingredients—wind, temperature, dew point temperature, and fuel state—to produce a fire danger index value and resulting forecast policy map. Then, a case exercise allows the learner to practice using weather and fuel data to create a fire weather forecast policy map for southeastern Australia.
After completing this module, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the typical synoptic pattern and four key ingredients that lead to hazardous fire weather in southeast Australia
- Use weather data to forecast the position of fronts or significant wind changes during a given forecast period
- Use weather data to forecast the temperature, dew point temperature and wind speed and direction during a given forecast period
- Assess fuel state index data for impact on fire danger index
- Use weather and fuel data to forecast fire danger indices during the forecast period
- Forecast spatial extent of fire weather hazards during the forecast period
- Forecast timing of fire weather hazards during the forecast period
- Formulate a fire weather policy map, showing the fire weather warning area
wildfire, bushfire, fuel, temperature, dew point temperature, wind, grassland fire
danger index, forest fire danger index, Australia, fire, forecasting, forecast
policy map, forecast checklist
