Meteorological Training and Professional Development Links

Convective Storm Structure and Evolution and Severe Storm Conceptual Models, Threat Assessment, Storm Interrogation

  • from the NWS WDTB

Structure and Dynamics of Supercell Thunderstorms

  • from the NWS Louisville, KY homepage

Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs): Squall Lines and Bow Echoes

  • a detailed web-based module from COMET

Predicting Supercell Motion Using Hodograph Techniques

  • a "webcast" module from COMET

Forecasting Convective Weather and Pattern Recognition in Severe Convective Forecasting

  • basics on forecasting convective storms and an overview of some synoptic-scale severe weather patterns from the National Weather Service Training Center

WDTB Distance Learning WSR-88D Training and Related Presentations

Techniques for Issuing Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Warnings

  • from NWS Southern Region

MesoAnalyst Severe Weather Guide

  • gives guidelines for evaluating near-storm environmental conditions that might favor severe weather - Pete Wolf, NWS Wichita, KS

NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) Publications

National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) Homepage

Lightning Primer

  • from NASA

Lightning Meteorology I and Lightning Meteorology II

Experimental Satellite-Derived Tropical Rainfall Potential

  • from NOAA/NESDIS/Satellite Services Division

Polar Satellite Products for the Operational Forecaster: Case Studies

  • from the Meted site

Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS)

  • from the University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • information on GOES-8 sounder can be found here
  • includes case study of the Oakfield, WI, tornado, here
  • click here for GOES-8 and -9 case studies
  • Satellite Blog

Picture-of-the-Day discussions (from CIRA)

  • contains an abundance of satellite interpretation examples from a variety of case studies

GOES Imager Tutorial

  • also from CIRA

Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT)

  • homepage for the joint satellite training program involving several organizations, including CIRA, CIMMS, NESDIS, and the NWS

Polar Satellite Products for the Operational Forecaster, Module 1: POES Introduction and Background

Remote Sensing Using the GOES Sounder: Example Minicases

  • above 3: from the Meted site

Satellite Meteorology Online Guide

  • from the WW2010 Project at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • includes interpretation of GOES and POES imagery

Using Legacy AWIPS to Evaluate Model Initializations

  • a presentation from the VISIT training group

Web-Based Numerical Weather Prediction Training

  • from COMET

NCEP/HPC's Model Diagnostics and Biases Page

  • from the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center of the NWS

Model Fundamentals

  • from Meted site

Impact of Model Structure & Dynamics

  • from Meted site

Characteristics of Operational NWP Models (Models Matrix)

  • from Meted site

Thunderstorms and Flying: An Internet Course

  • an excellent online course, from the NWA Aviation Committee

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) Training

  • from the NWS Training Center

Forecasting Radiational Fog

Forecasting Aviation Icing: Icing Type and Severity

Forecasting Aviation Icing: Assessment Using Soundings and Wind Profiles

Forecasting Aviation Icing: Assessment Using Observations and Pilot Reports

  • above 4: from the Meted site

Aviation Weather Center website

  • located in Kansas City, MO

Basic Hydrologic Concepts

  • from the NWS Training Center

Basic Hydrologic Sciences Distance Learning Course

  • web-based module which teaches how to evaluate a potential headwater flooding situations; from the COMET site

A Social Science Perspective on Flood Events

  • a webcast from the Meted site

Urban Flooding: It Can Happen in a Flash!

  • from the Meted site

NOAA El Nino Page

  • includes definitions, and basic info about El Nino and La Nina

Hurricanes: An Online Meteorology Guide

  • includes basics on tropical cyclone development; from the University of Illinois

Summary of Tropical Cyclone Guidance Models

  • discussion of the track and intensity guidance models, from NHC

Radar Rules of Thumb

  • succinct guidelines for radar interpretation, compiled from experienced WSR-88D operators from the USN, USAF, & NWS
  • from the Annual Hampton Roads (VA) Radar Conference

WSR-88D Doppler Weather Radar Principles

WSR-88D Doppler Weather Radar Products

Radar Meteorology Basics

  • online training module on radar basics, Doppler radar interpretation, and radar applications, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

WSR-88D Clutter Suppression and Its Impact On Meteorological Data Interpretation

Cold Air Damming

  • a COMET module detailing the various damming types, their characteristics, and their driving mechanisms

An Ingredients-Based Approach to Forecasting Winter Weather

  • a training module based on a November '99 winter weather workshop at Green Bay, WI
  • addresses various parameters affecting winter precipitation, diagnostic tools, and forecast techniques
  • from Suzanne Wetzel at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in cooperation with the National Weather Service and COMET

Winter Weather Forecasting
Snow Forecasting

  • from Wes Junker of the HPC

Using BUFKIT Program to Predict Lake Effect Snow

  • from the National Weather Service, Buffalo, NY

Forecasting Lake Effect Snow

  • a National Weather Service Central Region Technical Attachment, from the NWS Detroit, MI

Barrier Jet Forecasting: Eastern Foothills and High Plains of Colorado, 17-20 March 2003

  • COMET Module on Barrier Jets and Heavy Snowfall

Blowing Snow: Baker Lake, Nunavut, Canada 04-10 February 2003

  • COMET Module on Blowing Snow

Dynamics & Microphysics of Cool-Season Orographic Storms

  • COMET Module on Orographic Storms

Feature Identification Exercises: Clouds, Snow, and Ice Using MODIS

  • COMET Module on Satellite Detection of Clouds, Snow and Ice

Mesoscale Banded Precipitation

  • COMET Module on Precipitation Bands

Ocean Effect Snow: New England Snow Storm, 14 January 1999
Topics in Lake Effect Snow Forecasting

  • COMET Modules on Lake/Ocean Effect Snow

Topics in Precipitation Type Forecasting

  • COMET Module on Precipitaiton Type Forecasting

Topics in Polar Low Forecasting

  • COMET Module on Polar Lows

The Use and Misuse of Conditional Symmetric Instability
Slantwise Convection: An Operational Approach

  • COMET Webcasts on Conditional Symmetric Instability/Slantwise Convection

Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting Overview

  • excellent site from COMET containing webcasts and PowerPoint materials relating to QPF

Assessing Moisture for Summertime MCC Development for Maddox et al. Type Heavy Rainfall Events

  • a web-based presentation, from HPC

The Use and Misuse of CSI

  • a "webcast" module from COMET

Tips for Scientific Writing

  • broad, succinct tips for writers; from NWS Southern Region

Tips for Effective Oral and Poster Presentations

  • a great site for presenters, courtesy of Dr. Tutis Vilis, Univ. of Western Ontario

NWA member Alan Sealls offers Presentation Tips at http://weatherthings.com/presenter.html and "Bad Weather Words"to avoid at http://weatherthings.com/wxcasters.html.

AMS Suggestions for Preparation of Slides or Transparencies

Poster Presentations

  • courtesy of Irv Watson, NWS Tallahassee, FL

Web Page Design Tips

  • tips for web page design, with links to HTML instruction and reference sites
  • from COMET

HTML Goodies: Tutorials and More

  • great site for HTML instruction, from the basics on up; from Joe Burns, Ph.D.

HTML Tutorial

  • another HTML instruction site

NWSTC/OSF/COMET Joint Training Site (METED)

  • from the National Weather Service Training Center, the WSR-88D Operational Support Facility, and the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training
  • includes several interesting case studies, from all parts of the country, with new ones being added every few weeks
  • contains interactive online tutorials on topics including MCSs, Storm Type and Forecast Soundings, Hydrology for Meteorologists, and Aviation Icing

UCAR Homepage

  • University Cooperative for Atmospheric Research
  • click here to go directly to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)

NWSTC Homepage

  • National Weather Service Training Center, Kansas City

FDTB Homepage

  • Forecast Decision Training Branch, Boulder, Colorado

COMET Home Page

  • COMET: Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training
  • contains computer-based learning modules on a number of topics
  • includes course schedule
  • info about NWS/University collaborative activities; Partners Projects; fellowships

Warning Decision Training Branch

Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA)

  • includes satellite archive, and a study of the 1997 and 1999 Fort Collins, CO flash floods, here
  • also contains the RAMM-CIRA Training Activities page, here

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

  • access the WMO E-learning, which contains computer-based learning modules & a variety of training materials

Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC) Research Page

National Weather Service, Office of Meteorology

  • Overview of the NWS training program

NWS Southern Region Technology Services Division

  • Scientific Services Division, SR: page for training and professional development

NWS Western Region Training Page

NWS Central Region Library

  • CR Tech Attachments, applied research papers, operational notes, tech memos, guidelines for papers

FMH1 Meteorological Handbook

  • National Weather Service book of rules and regulations regarding surface observations

SOO (Science and Operations Officer) Training Resource Center's Catalogue

  • a compilation of training materials, both hard copy and web-based, created largely by NWS field offices for their onsite training programs

Atlantic Surface Cyclone Intensification Index (ASCII)

  • provides training on the detection of "bombing" lows off the East Coast

COMET Web-based Case Study Library

  • Twenty archived cases studies of snow, tropical, flood, and severe weather events, including Hurricane Floyd, the Salt Lake City tornado, and the January 2000 East Coast snowstorm; radar, satellite, model data & observed data available

National Drought Mitigation Center

  • describes the various types of drought; from the National Drought Mitigation Center

Weather Glossary

  • from The Weather Channel

GEMPAK Tutorial (from UCAR)

Overview of the Interactive Forecast Preparation System (IFPS)

  • overview of the NWS's system for preparing forecasts

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