MET 4710-LOL: Online Seminars for Broadcast Meteorologists (2007)

Table of Contents
Syllabus: About these seminars, Current Offerings, Professor, Blackboard, Grading, Outline
Links: Lyndon State College, Meteorology Department, Registration Form, Contact Instructor
Sections: A. Weather Data B. Thermodynamics, Clouds, and Dynamics C. Midlatitude weather systems D. Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) E. Regional and seasonal weather F. Weather hazards and disaster safety G. Station scientist


A. Weather Data

This course reviews the methods used to generate and analyze both traditional and new sources of weather data. Emphasis will be placed on reading station data, the interpretation of remote sensing data, and the use of gridded data sets in current weather analysis.

A1 - Data and Instruments

  • Atmospheric variables (Ask Jack FAQ)
  • Station model and METARs(LSC)
  • Surface instruments*
  • ASOS and human observations
  • Standards and Procedures for Surface Observing(NWS)
  • Observing and Decoding METARs(SRH)
  • Rawinsonde Instruments*

    • A2 Satellite data

  • Remote sensing(COMET)
  • Satellite imagery(COMET)
  • Satellite Meteorology(WW2010)
  • GOES sounder and imager page(CIMSS)
  • GOES Channel Selection(COMET)
  • Water vapor channel imagery(VISIT)
  • Dust detection techniques(COMET)*
    		•

    A3 Radar Data

  • Doppler Radar(Jetstream)

    • A4 Model data (Numerical weather prediction)

  • Model Fundamentals(COMET)
  • Understanding data assimilation(COMET)


    • B. Thermodynamics, clouds, and dynamics

    This course reviews basic principles in atmospheric thermodynamics, cloud physics, and dynamic meteorology. Atmospheric composition, physical cycles in the atmosphere, radiative processes, cloud and precipitation formation will be reviewed. Emphasis will be on using skew-T diagrams in conjunction with other data sources to analyze and identify physical and dynamic processes.

    B1 Thermodynamics

  • Skew-T Mastery
  • Hydrostatic balance(U of Calif, Davis)
  • Principles of Convection I: Buoyancy and CAPE(COMET)
  • Principles of Convection II: Using hodographs(COMET)
  • Principles of Convection III: Shear and Convective Storms(COMET)*

    • B2 Physical Meteorology

  • Radiative transfer(LSC)
  • Intro to Atmosphere(a-l)(UBC)
  • Cycles of Earth and Atmosphere(read "Background material" for each topic)
  • Understanding the Hydrologic Cycle(COMET)
  • Precipitation Microphysics(COMET)(Read Section 2 of module)
  • Snow Crystal Classification
  • Feature Identification Using Environmental Satellites(COMET)

    • B3 Dynamics

  • Upper-air dynamics(UWisc)


    • C. Midlatitude weather systems

    Weather in the midlatitudes is affected by the dynamics of planetary-scale, synoptic-scale, and mesoscale systems. This course reviews the dynamics and structure of polar and subtropical jets, mid-latitude cyclones, fronts and jets, mesoscale convective systems, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. The course will include informal current online weather discussion and analysis using the "forecast funnel" approach to describe the interaction of large- and small-scale features in modulating local weather conditions.

    C1 Introduction: Definition of scales and planetary-scale circulations

  • Definition of Mesoscale(COMET)*
  • Global Circulations(Jetstream)*
  • Intro to Atmosphere (m-r)(PhysicalGeographyi.net)*
  • Atmospheric Blocking

    • C2 Cyclones and Jets

  • Understanding storms and fronts(USA Today)
  • Air Masses/Cyclone model(Jetstream)
  • Midlatitude Cyclones(WW2010)
  • Air mass forecasting techniques(Texas A+M)
  • Cyclone model, fronts and banded precipitation(COMET)
  • Reexamining the cold conveyor belt (David Schultz, NSSL)
  • Cyclogenesis: Analysis using geostationary satellite imagery(VISIT)
  • Satellite identification of Upper-level Vortricity Maxima(COMET)*

    • C3 Mesoscale Systems: Severe Thunderstorms

  • How Mesoscale Models Work(COMET)*
  • Squall Lines and Bow Echoes(COMET)
  • Convective Storm matrix(COMET)
  • Storm Prediction Center (SPC): Mesoanalysis and Description of Parameters
  • Tornado FAQ (SPC)
  • Fujita Scale (SPC)


    • D. Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)

    This course will review the fundamentals of numerical weather model physics and dynamics. The use of standard operational models, local mesoscale models, and ensemble model forecasts will be examined. We will monitor operational model performance during the four week duration of the course and attempt the assess the reliability of forecasts that use model output.
  • Model Fundamentals(COMET)
  • Impact of model structure and dynamics(COMET)
  • How models produce precipitation and clouds(COMET)*
  • Influence of model physics on NWP forecasts(COMET)
  • Using model-derived products(COMET)
  • Ensemble Forecasting(COMET)
  • Ten common NWP misconceptions(COMET)
  • Operational Models(COMET)


    • E. Regional and seasonal weather

    In this course, students will review the dynamics, physics and forecasting challenges associated with local geography such as mountains, coastlines, and large bodies of water. Seasonal weather structures and conditions such as temperature extremes, winter weather, monsoon flow, and hurricanes will also be reviewed. We will apply principles reviewed in online learning modules in discussions of current weather condition at various locations in the United States.

    E1 Summer Weather

  • UV HazardsSunWise Program (EPA)
  • UV HazardsThe Shadow Rule (NCBI)
  • Heat Index (NOAA)
  • Southwest Monsoon (NWS)
  • Sea Breezes(COMET)

    • E2 Hurricanes

  • Hurricane Strike! (COMET)
  • Community Hurricane Preparedness(COMET)
  • NOAA's Hurricane Research Division FAQ
  • Tornadoes in Hurricanes

    • E3 Mountain weather

  • Mountain waves and downslope winds(COMET)
  • Cold Air Damming(COMET)
  • Dynamics and microphysics of cold season storms
  • Mountain/Valley Breezes(COMET)*
  • Gap Winds(COMET)*

    • E4 Winter Weather

  • How Winter Storms Form(Weather channel)
  • Winter weather glossary(USA Today)
  • Wind chill (USA Today)
  • Freezing and Melting, Precipitation Type, and NWP(COMET)
  • Heavy Banded Snow(COMET)
  • Lake Effect Snow(COMET)


    • F. Weather hazards and disaster safety

    Broadcast meteorologists are on the front line when it comes to communicating critical information concerning public safety during severe weather events. This course stresses the impacts of extreme weather on humans, emphasizing how to anticipate weather conditions that pose a threat to the viewing public. Topics will include general safety measures associated with floods, high winds, extreme temperatures, and storm surges.

    F1: Disaster Safety

  • Disaster Safety (American Red Cross)
  • Hazard Information (FEMA)
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response - Natural Disasters (CDC)

    • F2: Temperature Extremes

  • Heat Safety (American Red Cross)
  • Extreme Heat(CDC)
  • Winter Storms and Extreme Cold(FEMA)
  • Wind chill (USA Today)

    • F3: Severe Storm Hazards

  • Thunderstorm Hazards and Safety
  • Tornado FAQ (SPC)
  • Fujita Scale (SPC)
  • Lightning Safety (Jetstream)
  • Lightning FAQ (Jetstream)

    • F4: Flooding

  • Flash Floods and Floods...the Awesome Power! (NOAA)
  • Fact Sheet: Flooding (UCAR)
  • Flooding (The Weather Channel)
  • Environment Writer: Flooding (Environmental Health Center)
  • Floods (NOAA)
  • Basics of Flooding and Flood Protection (Floodplain Management Association)


    • G. Station scientist

    Broadcast meteorologists are often the only trained scientists on staff qualified to cover stories involving natural phenomena that make the news. This course will review and introduce subjects in Earth sciences relevant to the role of weathercasters as station scientists. Subjects include topics in global climate change, earthquakes, astronomy, space weather, and pollution.

    G1 Climate

  • El Nino (UCAR)
  • The El Nino-Southern Oscillation Cycle(COMET)
  • The Science of Global Climate Change and Human Influences(COMET)
  • Climate.org (Climate Institute)
  • Anthropogenic Threats to Corals (NOS)
  • Encyclopedia of the Atmospheric Environment (Atmosphere, Climate & Environment Information Progamme)

    • G2 Geology

  • Earthquake Myths and Folklore (Univ. of Memphis)
  • Earthquake Survival (Univ. of Memphis)
  • Earthquake Magnitudes (USGS)
  • Common Myths about Earthquakes (USGS)

    • G3 Astronony and Space Weather

  • Windows to the Universe (UCAR)
  • Physics of the Aurora: Earth Systems (COMET)
  • NASA Explores
  • Solar and Lunar Eclipses (University of Maryland)
  • Rotation of the Moon (Fort Lewis College)
  • Constellations and their Stars (Universtiy of Wisconsin)

    • G4 Pollution

  • Air Quality Index (AQI) - AIRNow (EPA)
  • Watersheds (EPA)