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Avalanche Weather Forecasting
Avalanches form through the interaction of snowpack, terrain, and weather, the latter being the focus of this module. The module begins with basic information about avalanches, highlighting weather's role in their development. The rest of the module teaches weather forecasters how to make an avalanche weather forecast, that is, one in which key weather parameters are evaluated for their impact on avalanche potential. The forecasts are used primarily by avalanche forecasters, who integrate them with other information to determine when to issue avalanche hazard warnings. The module contains five ...
Available online: https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_module.php?id=764
Published by: The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research ; 2010
Avalanches form through the interaction of snowpack, terrain, and weather, the latter being the focus of this module. The module begins with basic information about avalanches, highlighting weather's role in their development. The rest of the module teaches weather forecasters how to make an avalanche weather forecast, that is, one in which key weather parameters are evaluated for their impact on avalanche potential. The forecasts are used primarily by avalanche forecasters, who integrate them with other information to determine when to issue avalanche hazard warnings. The module contains five cases that let users apply the avalanche weather forecast process to different combinations of snowpack, terrain, and weather conditions. It is a companion to the COMET module "Snowpack and Its Assessment," which describes snowpack development and various assessment techniques.
Disclaimer regarding 3rd party resources: WMO endeavours to ensure, but cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy, accessibility, integrity and timeliness of the information available on its website. WMO may make changes to the content of this website at any time without notice.
The responsibility for opinions expressed in articles, publications, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and their posting on this website does not constitute an endorsement by WMO of the opinion expressed therein.
WMO shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of the use of its website. Please do not misuse our website.Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Standard Copyright)Tags: Snow ; Avalanche ; Lesson/ Tutorial
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Hurricane Strike!™
Designed primarily for middle school students and funded by FEMA and the NWS, this module creates a scenario to frame learning activities that focus on hurricane science and safety. Versions are also available for hearing, motor, and visually impaired students, as well as Spanish-speaking students. Over the course of seven days, Hurricane Erin forms in the Atlantic Ocean, crosses the Florida peninsula, and then makes another landfall at Fort Walton Beach. During these days, the learner is introduced to many basic concepts of atmospheric science, climate, and geography, while also learning some ...
Available online: https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_module.php?id=31
Published by: The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research ; 2010
Designed primarily for middle school students and funded by FEMA and the NWS, this module creates a scenario to frame learning activities that focus on hurricane science and safety. Versions are also available for hearing, motor, and visually impaired students, as well as Spanish-speaking students. Over the course of seven days, Hurricane Erin forms in the Atlantic Ocean, crosses the Florida peninsula, and then makes another landfall at Fort Walton Beach. During these days, the learner is introduced to many basic concepts of atmospheric science, climate, and geography, while also learning some important and possibly life-saving safety and preparedness skills. The module includes several interactive games and activities that address hurricane meteorology and hurricane safety. Teachers and others who use the module for public education will find the "Information for Teachers" section particularly useful. This section provides information about all of the main learning objects in the module, as well as access to them as stand-alone activities. Links to numerous hurricane-related Web sites are also included, as are links to expert advice about helping children deal with trauma. Worksheets that test the learner's understanding of the module's content are provided in this section. Students access a different worksheet each day on the "printer" in the scenario's home office.
Disclaimer regarding 3rd party resources: WMO endeavours to ensure, but cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy, accessibility, integrity and timeliness of the information available on its website. WMO may make changes to the content of this website at any time without notice.
The responsibility for opinions expressed in articles, publications, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and their posting on this website does not constitute an endorsement by WMO of the opinion expressed therein.
WMO shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of the use of its website. Please do not misuse our website.Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Standard Copyright)Tags: Tropical cyclone ; Weather ; Wind ; Hurricane ; Storm surge ; Cyclone ; Lesson/ Tutorial
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A Forecaster's Overview of the Northwest Pacific
This module provides an introduction to the northwest Pacific for weather forecasters. It touches on major aspects of the geography, oceanography, and climatology. Geography looks at plate tectonics, topography, and human population. Oceanography examines ocean currents, coastal tidal ranges, and sea ice distribution. Climatology briefly discusses jets streams, distribution of synoptic features, storm tracks of tropical and extratropical cyclones, the fronts, and sensible weather associated with the Northeast and Southwest Monsoons.
Available online: https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_module.php?id=569
Published by: The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research ; 2010
This module provides an introduction to the northwest Pacific for weather forecasters. It touches on major aspects of the geography, oceanography, and climatology. Geography looks at plate tectonics, topography, and human population. Oceanography examines ocean currents, coastal tidal ranges, and sea ice distribution. Climatology briefly discusses jets streams, distribution of synoptic features, storm tracks of tropical and extratropical cyclones, the fronts, and sensible weather associated with the Northeast and Southwest Monsoons.
Disclaimer regarding 3rd party resources: WMO endeavours to ensure, but cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy, accessibility, integrity and timeliness of the information available on its website. WMO may make changes to the content of this website at any time without notice.
The responsibility for opinions expressed in articles, publications, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and their posting on this website does not constitute an endorsement by WMO of the opinion expressed therein.
WMO shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of the use of its website. Please do not misuse our website.Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Standard Copyright)Tags: Tropical cyclone ; Marine meteorology ; Climate services ; Lesson/ Tutorial ; Climatology ; Monsoon ; Sea ice ; Extratropical cyclone ; Competencies for Provision of Climate Services ; Marine Weather Forecasters ; China ; Japan ; Yellow Sea
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WWRP 2010-2 - 1st WMO International Conference on Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change
Contains: Inter-annual Variation of Frequency of Cyclonic Disturbances Landfalling over WMO/ESCAP Panel Member Countries; Toward Improved Projection of the Future Tropical Cyclone Changes; An Assessment of Climate Change Impact on Cyclone Frequency and Design Wave Height in the Oman Sea; Long-Range Prediction of Tropical Cyclones for Bangladesh; On Developing a Tropical Cyclone Archive and Climatology for the South Indian and South Pacific Oceans; International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Synthesizing Global Tropical Cyclone Best Track Data; Simulation of Track and In ...
Published by: WMO ; 2010
Contains: Inter-annual Variation of Frequency of Cyclonic Disturbances Landfalling over WMO/ESCAP Panel Member Countries; Toward Improved Projection of the Future Tropical Cyclone Changes; An Assessment of Climate Change Impact on Cyclone Frequency and Design Wave Height in the Oman Sea; Long-Range Prediction of Tropical Cyclones for Bangladesh; On Developing a Tropical Cyclone Archive and Climatology for the South Indian and South Pacific Oceans; International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Synthesizing Global Tropical Cyclone Best Track Data; Simulation of Track and Intensity of Gonu and Sidr with WRF-NMM Modelling System; NWP Model Assessment during the Tropical Cyclone Gonu; Understanding the Tropical Cyclone Gonu; The Use of RS and GIS to Evaluate the Effects of Tropical Cyclones: a Case Study from A'Seeb, Muscat after GONU Cyclone; Influence of Cyclone Gonu and other Tropical Cyclones on Phytoplankton Blooms; Effect of Tropical Cyclones on Agriculture and Socio-Economic Conditions of Rural People in Bangladesh; Effect of Tropical Cyclones on Agriculture and Socio-Economic Conditions of Rural People in Bangladesh.
Collection(s) and Series: WMO/TD- No. 1541
Language(s): English
Format: CD, DVD, Digital (Free), Hard copy (ill., charts, maps)Tags: Natural hazards ; Geographical Information System (GIS) ; Tropical cyclone ; Tropical meteorology ; Climate change ; World Weather Research Programme (WWRP)
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Abstracts - International Workshop on Addressing the Livelihood Crisis of Farmers: Weather and Climate Services
The International Workshop on Addressing the Livelihood Crisis of Farmers: Weather and Climate Services is taking place at a time when there is a growing concern about livelihoods of over 500 million smallholder farmers around the world coupled with the increasing climate variability and future climate change. The world population is projected to grow from 6.5 billion today to 8.3 billion in 2030 and nearly 9.2 billion in 2050. All of that growth will be concentrated in developing countries. Global food production will therefore need to increase by more than 50% by 2030, and should nearly doub ...
Abstracts - International Workshop on Addressing the Livelihood Crisis of Farmers: Weather and Climate Services
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Published by: WMO ; 2010
The International Workshop on Addressing the Livelihood Crisis of Farmers: Weather and Climate Services is taking place at a time when there is a growing concern about livelihoods of over 500 million smallholder farmers around the world coupled with the increasing climate variability and future climate change. The world population is projected to grow from 6.5 billion today to 8.3 billion in 2030 and nearly 9.2 billion in 2050. All of that growth will be concentrated in developing countries. Global food production will therefore need to increase by more than 50% by 2030, and should nearly double by 2050. In 2010, FAO expects the cereal stocks-to-utilization ratio to be nearly 24%, which is the highest since 2003. Cereal production for developing countries is forecasted to decrease slightly by 0.8 percent in 2010. Agriculture’s share of Official Development Assistance fell from 19% in 1980 to about 5% today.
Collection(s) and Series: WMO/TD- No. 1539
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Natural hazards ; Agrometeorology ; Food Safety ; Climate change ; Agriculture ; Vulnerability ; Agricultural Meteorology Programme (AgMP) ; Developing countries
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WWRP, 03. Training workshop on tropical cyclone forecasting wmo typhoon landfall forecast demonstration project
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Natural Hazards, UnNatural Disasters : The Economics of Effective Prevention
World Bank, 2010Natural Hazards, UnNatural Disasters looks at disasters primarily through an economic lens. Economists emphasize self-interest to explain how people choose the amount of prevention, insurance, and coping. But lenses can distort as well as sharpen images, so the book also draws from other disciplines: psychology to examine how people may misperceive risks, political science to understand voting patterns, and nutrition science to see how stunting in children after a disaster impairs cognitive abilities and productivity as adults much later. It asks not only the tough questions, but some unexpect ...
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WWRP, 04. WWRP 2010-4 - 2nd WMO International Workshop on Tropical Landfall Processes (IWTCLP-II)
Severe calamities and fatalities have arisen from landfalling tropical cyclones (TC) around the world in recent years, such as Morakot (August 2009) in western North Pacific, Nargis (May 2008) in Bay of Bengal, Gonu (June 2007) in North Arabian Sea, Bilis (July 2006) in western North Pacific, Katrina (August 2005) in Gulf of Mexico, and Catarina (March 2004) in South Atlantic etc. Transferring the advancements from the research community to operational forecast centers in NMHSs would be helpful for improving the landfalling tropical cyclone (LTC) forecasts and for mitigation of high-impact tro ...
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PWS, 21. Guidelines on early warning systems and application of nowcasting and warning operations
In 2010, a historic heat wave and numerous wildfires impacted Moscow and surrounding areas in the Russian Federation. At the same time, catastrophic flooding from unusually heavy monsoon rains was ongoing in Pakistan. Both events led to many fatalities and considerable human suffering. As climate change due to anthropogenic forcing continues, extreme weather events such as these are likely to become more common (IPCC 2007), further increasing the need for preparedness and early warning systems.
The need for robust early warning systems goes beyond purely natural disasters and extend ...
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Investing in communities: the benefits and costs of building resilience for food security in Malawi : investing in disaster risk reduction activities in Malawi
This publication reports on a community-based cost benefit analysis of a disaster risk reduction (DRR) and food security programme in a Malawian agricultural community. The aim of this study is to assess programme activities for their cost-effectiveness and to gather evidence to help inform programming decisions taken by Tearfund, their partners and other NGOs. A second key aim is to inform policy-relevant recommendations to help convince governments, donors and UN agencies to act in a timely way and with appropriate interventions to address food insecurity, given the growing threat from droug ...
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1541. 1st WMO International Conference on Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change
WMO, 2010
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Guidelines for converting between various wind averaging periods in tropical cyclone conditions
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Kepert Jeffrey David; Ginger J.D. - WMO, 2010 (WMO/TD-No. 1555)
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PWS, 21. Directrices sobre sistemas de alerta temprana y aplicación de predicción inmediata y operaciones de aviso
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PWS, 21. Directives sur les systèmes d'alerte précoce et l'application des prévisions immédiates et des alertes
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L’agroécologie en pratiques
Agrisud International, 2010L’agroécologie consiste pour le paysan à chercher à imiter la nature dans son champ. Elle mise sur les complémentarités entre différentes plantes et animaux. Elle conçoit l’agriculture non comme un processus qui transforme des intrants en productions agricoles, mais comme un cycle, où le déchet sert d’intrant, où les animaux et les légumineuses fertilisent les sols et où les mauvaises herbes sont considérées comme remplissant des fonctions utiles.
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Climate Change and Flow of Environmental Displacement in Bangladesh
Akter Tahera - Unnayan Onneshan, 2009This study depicts environmental displacement with the premise of increased frequency of natural disasters and the adverse impacts of climate change. Bangladesh is already experiencing recurrent floods, severe cyclones, water logging, salinity intrusions, droughts and river bank erosion which induce mass population displacement. There is no generally agreed definition and scientifically developed methodology to estimate environmental displacement. Proper development guidelines are yet to be adopted to protect the lives and livelihoods of the displaced people who have the right to expect safe l ...
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African monsoon multidisciplinary analyses: abstracts
African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (AMMA) is an international project to im-prove our knowledge and understanding of the West African monsoon (WAM) and its variability using a multi-scale approach; timescales ranging from daily over inter-annual to decadal and beyond and space scales reaching from local over mesoscale to regional and global.
AMMA is motivated by an interest in fundamental scientific issues and by the societal need for improved prediction of the WAM and its impacts on West African nations. Vulnerability of West African societies to climate variability is likely t ...
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Snowpack and Its Assessment
This module explores the science of snowpack and snowpack assessment. It begins by describing the factors involved in snowpack development and then focuses on snowpack evolution. Using two scenarios (one set in mountainous terrain, the other in a relatively flat area), the module explores how basic processes, such as conduction and radiation, and various precipitation events impact snowpack, particularly its density, structure, and stability, throughout the cold season. Woven throughout the module are video clips of avalanche forecasters discussing snowpack and demonstrating various assessment ...
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The Amazon Rain Forest and Climate Change
This module discusses global climate change that is occurring largely because of greenhouse gases emitted by human activities, and in particular the impact that tropical deforestation plays in the climate system. It also covers signs of climate change, the current thinking on future changes, and international agreements that are attempting to minimize the effects of climate change. The United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD Programme) is also discussed.
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Climate Change: Fitting the Pieces Together
This module discusses climate change, particularly as it is currently being affected by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted by human activities. It also covers signs of climate change, how scientists study climate, the current thinking on future changes, and what can be done to minimize the effects. Updated in 2012.
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Jason-2: Using Satellite Altimetry to Monitor the Ocean
Altimeters onboard satellites such as Jason-2 measure sea surface height and other characteristics of the ocean surface. These characteristics are linked to underlying processes and structures, making altimetry data useful for understanding the full depth of the global ocean. This 75-minute module explores major discoveries made possible by altimetry data in oceanography, marine meteorology, the marine geosciences, climate studies, the cryosphere, and hydrology. For example, altimeters have played a vital role in detecting and monitoring sea level rise and its relation to climate change. The m ...
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Distributed Hydrologic Models for Flow Forecasts - Part 1
Distributed Hydrologic Models for Flow Forecasts – Part 1 provides a basic description of distributed hydrologic models and how they work. This module is the first in a two-part series focused on the science of distributed models and their applicability in different situations. Presented by Dr. Dennis Johnson, the module begins with a review of hydrologic models, and then examines the differences between lumped and distributed models. It explains how lumped models may be distributed by subdividing the basin and suggests when distributed hydrologic models are most appropriate. Other topics cove ...
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Flood Management Tool Series, Technical Document, 09. Flood Management in a Changing Climate
This tool is an initiator and starting point on how flood management can be an autonomous part of an adaptation strategy to climate change. Flood managers have vast experience in managing floods under current climate variability. Floods are among the most widely cited expected impacts of global warming, either with an increased frequency or with increased magnitude in particular regions. As such climate change poses an additional challenge that needs a conscious strategic reorientation of flood management practices towards applying risk management techniques and involving a far broader set of ...
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Regional climate change and adaptation : the Alps facing the challenge of changing water resources
EEA, 2009Drawing on the most recent knowledge of climate change impacts in the Alps and experiences across the region, this report analyses the risks that climate change presents to the region's water supply and quality, identifying needs, constraints, opportunities, policy levers and options for adaptation. It extracts policy guidance on adaptation practice and aims to assist regional and local stakeholders in developing robust adaptation strategies. The focus of the report is on water resources and related adaptation, rather than water-related extreme events like floods, avalanches, landslides or mud ...
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Climate Change and Humanitarian Action: Key Emerging Trends and Challenges
OCHA, 2009During the past century global temperatures increased by approximately 0.7 degrees Celsius. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the pace of climate change is now such that even in a ‘best-case’ scenario, further increases of at least 1 degree are expected by 2050. According to the IPCC, current emissions are already nearing the limit required in 2015 to keep warming below 2 degrees Celsius; the level UNDP defines as a “a reasonable and prudent long term objective for avoiding dangerous climate change”. In the absence of swift action to radically reduce gre ...
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WMO publications on agriculture, land, drought, and desertification
A set of core WMO publications on the the topic.Contains:
- Climate Change and Desertification. 2007. Poster. (English only)
- Drought Monitoring and Early Warning: Concepts, Progress, and Future Challenges. 2006. WMO Pub. No 1006.(En, Fr, Es)
- World Climate News No 30. Drought and Desertification Issue. 2007 (En)
- Climate and Land Degradation. 2005. WMO Pub No. 989. (En, Fr, Es)
- Early Warning Systems for Drought Preparedness and Drought Management, 2000. WMO No. 1037. (En)
- Coping with Drought in Sub-Saharan Africa: Better Use of Climate Informat ...
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World Climate Applications and Services Programme (WCASP), 79. Report of WMO conference on Living with climate variability and change : understanding the uncertainties and managing the risks
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI); International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) - WMO, 2009 (WMO/TD-No. 1512)The WMO Conference on “Living with Climate Variability and Change: Understanding the Uncertainties and Managing the Risks” was organized to review the opportunities and constraints in integrating climate risks and uncertainties into decision-making in the core socio-economic sectors. The Conference, co-sponsored by the WMO, the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and the International Research Institute for Climate and
Society (IRI), brought together climate scientists and user communities, to collate their experiences in managing risks of climatic origin and to build a framework fo ...
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IOC Manuals and Guides, 50. Hazard awareness and risk mitigation in ICAM : Integrated Coastal Area Management
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); et al. - UNESCO, 2009These guidelines aim to assist policy makers and managers in the reduction of the risks to coastal communities, their infrastructure and service-providing ecosystems from tsunamis, storm surges and other coastal hazards within the phased framework of Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM). As a context for the procedures presented in the Guidelines, the full framework of the ICAM process is used. This shows how the assessment of coastal hazards and the mitigation of the risks in respect of those hazards can be embedded within the four phases of ICAM, each with its respective procedural step ...
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WCDMP, 74. Regional Workshop on Climate Monitoring and Analysis of Climate Variability; followed by: implementation of Climate Watch System in RA II with focus on Monsoon affected areas
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Report on UN ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee Members Disaster Management System
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) - WMO, 2009 (WMO/TD-No. 1476)
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WCDMP, 72. Guidelines on Analysis of extremes in a changing climate in support of informed decisions for adaptation
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Zwiers Francis W.; Zhang Xuebin - WMO, 2009 (WMO/TD-No. 1500)
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Integrated Flood Management : concept paper
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM); Global Water Partnership (GWP) - WMO, 2009 (WMO-No. 1047)Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), as defined by the Global Water Partnership, is “a process which promotes the coordinated management and development of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems”. This approach recognizes that a single intervention has implications for the system as a whole, and that the integration of development and flood
management can yield multiple benefits from a single intervention.
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Gestión Integrada de Crecidas : Documento conceptual
Organización Meteorológica Mundial (OMM); Programa asociado de gestión de crecidas (APFM); Asociación Mundial para el Agua (GWP) - OMM, 2009 (OMM-No. 1047)Este documento desarrolla las bases conceptuales de la gestión integrada de crecidas (GIC). Describe este principio en el marco general de la gestión integrada de recursos hídricos (GIRH). Los principales elementos de la GIC son presentados y explicitados de modo de delinear un marco muy completo de este modo de gestión.
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Gestion intégrée des crues : document de fond
Organisation météorologique mondiale (OMM); Programme associé de gestion des crues (APFM); Partenariat mondial pour l'eau (GWP) - OMM, 2009 (OMM-No. 1047)Ce document développe les bases conceptuelles d'une gestion intégrée des crues (GIC). Il décrit ce principe en le situant par rapport à la notion plus générale de gestion intégrée des ressources en eau (GIRE). Les principaux éléments constitutifs de la gestion intégrée des crues sont présentés et explicités de façon à brosser un tableau très complet de ce mode de gestion.
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N°45 (Vol. 13, No. 2) - April 2008 - North American Monsoon Experiment: NAME
is an issue of Exchanges. International CLIVAR Project Office, 2008
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2008/No. 1 - February 2008 - Severe weather forecasting
is an issue of MeteoWorld. WMO, 2008Contains:
- Severe weather forecasting
- Public weather services
- Satellite strategy
- Advances in weather forecasting
- Nobel Peace prize award
- Least developped countries
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Strengthening the Hydrometeorological Services in South Eastern Europe : south Eastern Europe Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Programme
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR); World Bank the; et al. - UN/ISDR, 2008The assessment presented here was undertaken within the scope of the South Eastern Europe Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Programme (SEEDRMAP). SEEDRMAP is a collaborative initiative developed by the World Bank and the secretariat of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), together with the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Development Bank, the World Meteorological Organization, the Finnish Meteorological Institute and other partners.
SEEDRMAP’s objective is to reduce the vulnerability of the countries ...
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Weather and Health
This course will help meteorologists and others broaden their understanding of the impacts of weather and climate on public health, including the impacts of heat waves and cold temperatures, winter storms and thunderstorms, flooding, drought, poor air quality, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfire, UV radiation, and others. This course is directed to broadcast meteorologists, in particular, who play a critical role in the community by helping the public to protect against weather-related health threats and by promoting good health. The course also describes the public health communication system, pr ...
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GOES-R: Benefits of Next-Generation Environmental Monitoring
This module is an introduction to NOAA's next generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) series, focusing on the value and anticipated benefits derived from an enhanced suite of instruments for improved monitoring of meteorological, environmental, climate, and space weather phenomena and related hazards. An extensive set of visualizations highlight GOES-R and its advanced observing capabilities for providing support in thirteen key environmental application areas including air quality and visibility, climate, cloud icing, fires, hurricanes, land cover, lightning, l ...
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Introduction to Climatology
This module provides an overview of climatology, the study of climate. The module begins by examining the drivers that combine to create the climate regions of the world—from those at the mesoscale (local) level to those at the synoptic-scale (continental) and global-scale levels. Examples include locally dominant winds, air masses, fronts, ocean currents, Earth’s rotation around the sun, and latitude. Each discussion of a climate driver has an ‘example/exploration’ segment, where the information is applied to several cities. The module also examines a scheme for classifying the world’s climat ...
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Dams and Dam Failure - Module 1: Terminology and Open Channel Hydraulics
This is the first module of a two-part series offering an introduction to the science explaining catastrophic dam failure and flood-wave prediction methods associated with these events. Through use of rich illustrations, animations, and interactions, this module explains key terminology and concepts including dam types and purposes, failure statistics, the general dam failure process, open channel hydraulics, critical flow, Manning's equation, and conveyance. The information covered in this two module series will provide a scientific foundation for advanced course work needed to run dam break ...
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Dams and Dam Failure - Module 2: St. Venant Equations, Modeling, and Case Study
This second module in the two-part series expands on the science explaining catastrophic dam failure and flood-wave prediction methods associated with these events. Through the use of rich illustrations and interactions, this module introduces the St. Venant equations for dynamic wave flow, and flood wave characteristics. It also explains the general dam failure modeling process along with advantages and limitations of dam failure models including model stability, accuracy, and sensitivity issues. Finally, it also provides an overview of the Teton River dam failure, one of the most famous hydr ...
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Warning Operations Course (WOC) : Severe Track
The Warning Operations Course (WOC) Severe Track is a course that consists of approximately xx hours of training material on topics that are relevant to severe weather warning decision-making. The Severe Track consists of:
- 5 curricula (convective fundamentals, tornado, hail, quasi-convective linear system, & impact-based warning),
- Forecast Challenge,
- A mesoscale analysis webinars, and
- WOC Severe WES-2 simulation.
The WOC Severe Track modules include a combination of learning technologies including teletraining, web-based training, Weat ...
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Flood Management Tool Series, Technical Document, 06. Urban Flood Risk Management
The tool aims to bring the different aspects of urban flood risks together under the umbrella of a risk management approach that aims to explain urban flood risks as well as to show possibilities of how they can be managed successfully. This tool argues that only the combination of spatial, technical and organizational measures will lead to a more sustainable and effective management of urban flood risks.
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Flood Management Tool Series, Technical Document, 04. Organizing Community Participation for Flood Management
This tool provides general guidelines for effectively organizing community activities to ensure participation at various levels of decision-making and capacity building in flood management. Several issues related to the engagement of flood managers, NGOs, and policy makers in harmonizing community activities with other development policies and natural disaster, are also addressed to build necessary institutional frameworks to enhance community participation.
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WWRP, 2008-04. Expert meeting to evaluate skills of tropical cyclone seasonal forecasts
This expert meeting was organized in response to the recommendations of the Sixth International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones to develop a common set of metrics to evaluate the skill of seasonal tropical cyclone forecasts and report on a central website hosted by WMO. Camargo et al. summarized in the October 2007 issue of the WMO Bulletin a number of statistical and dynamical seasonal forecasts. Representatives of each type of forecast were part of the expert team. Issues confronted when attempting to conduct an evaluation of forecasts produced by different groups
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Capacity Assessment of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in Support of Disaster Risk Reduction : analysis of the 2006 WMO Disaster Risk Reduction Country-level Survey
In 2006, WMO conducted a national survey to benchmark existing capacities, gaps and needs of its Members for development of meteorological, hydrological and climate –related information to support disaster risk reduction. The national survey, addressed capacities of NMHSs to contribute to all aspects of disaster risk reduction including risk identification, sectoral planning, early warning system, education and knowledge sharing. Of the 187 members of WMO at the time, 139 (74%) countries participated in this survey.
The regional survey addressed regional capacities and partnerships that ...
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Observing our planet for a better future
Theme of the World Meteorological Day 2008, this booklet raises awareness of the public and decision-makers on weather, climate and water to lead to an increasing concern about the degradation of the environment, the more frequent occurrences of natural disasters with projected climate change and the impacts on human survival and well-being.
This publication will be useful to decision-makers, financial experts and emergency response managers, currently in the process of implementing and upgrading their respective observing systems, especially their end-toend multi-hazard early ...
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The Global Alliance for disaster risk reduction : building safer, resilient communities
IFRC, 2008This document presents the International Federation's concern about disaster management and priority to ensure that disaster risk reduction is an integral part of its development work and that all its programmes work towards disaster risk reduction in an integrated and mutually supportive way.
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Typhoon Committee Expert Mission Report
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) - WMO, 2008 (WMO/TD-No. 1448)
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2007/No. 6 - December 2007 - Protection against flash floods
is an issue of MeteoWorld. WMO, 2007Contains:
- Protecting against flash floods
- La Niña
- Greenhouse gases
- Sand- and duststorms
- Marine meteorology
- Climate change and tourism
- Science for climate change adaptation
- Aviation meteorology
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N° 31 - Juin 2007 - Tempêtes violentes et régimes climatiques
is an issue of Nouvelles du climat mondial. OMM, 2007Contient:
- Projections à long terme du GIEC relatives aux tempêtes violentes
- Fortes pluies à Mumbai en juillet 2005
- Oscillation nord-atlantique et tempêtes de vent extrêmes
- Participation du SMOC à la douzième session de la COP et à la vingt-cinquième réunion du SBSTA
- Impact des tempêtes de vent et de poussière sur l’agriculture
- Le climat en 2006
- Tempêtes violentes de janvier 2007 en Europe
- Caractéristiques climatiques des tempêtes de sable et de poussière
- Le CIUS et l’OMM lancent l’Année polaire internationale 2 ...
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No. 31 - June 2007 - Extreme storms and climate patterns
is an issue of World Climate News. WMO, 2007Contents:
- IPCC long-term projection of extreme storms
- Heavy rains in Mumbai, July 2005
- North Atlantic Oscillation and extreme windstorms
- GCOS at COP-12 and SBSTA -25
- Impact of wind- and duststorms on agriculture
- The climate in 2006
- Extreme storms in Europe in January 2007
- Climate features of dust- and sandstorms
- ICSU and WMO launch International Polar Year 2007-2008
- World Climate Programme seminars on climate extremes
- Statement on tropical cyclones
- The global warming database: WCRP ...
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N° 30 - Janvier 2007 - Sécheresse et désertification
is an issue of Nouvelles du climat mondial. OMM, 2007Contient:
- Désertification, pauvreté et développement durable
- La désertification, la sécheresse et le rôle de l’OMM
- Programmes de l’OMM
- Atelier international d’Arusha
- Climat et dégradation des sols
- RANET-Afrique
- Comment les SMHN peuvent lancer le programme RANET
- Suivi de la sécheresse aux États-Unis, dans la Corne de l’Afrique et dans le bassin méditerranéen
- Changement climatique, désertification et adaptation: le point de vue du GIEC
- Transmission des messages CLIMAT et CLIMAT TEMP
- La sécheres ...
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No. 30 - January 2007 - Drought and desertification
is an issue of World Climate News. WMO, 2007Contents:
- Desertification, poverty and sustainable development
- Desertification, drought and the role of WMO
- WMO programmes
- Climate and land degradation
- International workshop in Arusha
- RANET-Africa
- How NMHSs can initiate the RANET programme
- Drought monitoring in the United States, the Horn of Africa and the Mediterranean
- Climate change, desertification and adaptation: what IPCC says
- The drought of Amazonia in 2005
- GEOSS update
- CLIMAT and CLIMAT TEMP reporting
- NASA astronaut’s ...
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DBCP Technical Document, 30. Technological Developments and Applications of Data Buoys for Tsunami Monitoring Systems, Hurricane and Storm Surge Prediction: presentations at the DBCP Technical Workshop
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) - WMO, 2007
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Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting Overview
In this module, Wes Junker, retired Senior Branch Forecaster at NCEP/HPC provides an introduction to Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting. This presentation assumes a familiarity with basic meteorological processes.
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Snowmelt Processes
This module helps the student develop an understanding of the contribution of snowmelt in the hydrologic forecasting process. The module first explains the influences of wind, sun, terrain, and vegetation on snow water distribution and then discusses the evolution of snowpack characteristics. From there, the student will learn about energy exchanges between the snow and the atmosphere and how that affects how quickly and how completely snow will melt. Finally, an explanation is presented of water flow through snow and the fate of that water when it reaches the ground surface. The lesson will b ...
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Flash Flood Case Studies
This module takes the learner through seven case studies of flash flood events that occurred in the conterminous U.S. between 2003 and 2006. The cases covered include: * 30-31 August 2003: Chase & Lyon Counties, KS * 16-17 September 2004: Macon County, NC * 31 July 2006: Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, AZ * 25 December 2003: Fire burn area near San Bernardino, CA * 30 August 2004: Urban flash flood in Richmond, VA * 19-20 August 2003: Urban flash flood in Las Vegas, NV * 9 October 2005: Cheshire County, NH This module assists the learner in applying the concepts covered in the foundation ...
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Flood Management Tool Series, Technical Document, 07. The Role of Land-Use Planning in Flood Management
This Tool identifies the processes and policy principles that necessitate a linkage of land use planning in integrated flood management. It provides an overview of land use planning instruments considered applicable in the flood management context, to identify the challenges and opportunities to a closer linkage between the various sectors concerned and to provide guidance as to how those sectors can work together.
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Flood Management Tool Series, Technical Document, 01. Formulating a Basin Flood Management Plan
Global Water Partnership (GWP) - WMO, 2007This tool guides the contents and basic procedure of basin flood management planning, such as national development vision/policy and enabling mechanism of planning. The objectives of basin flood management plan are to protect life and property from flood risks and enhance the capability of socio-economic development in the flood plains to realize the development vision in a basin through Integrated Flood Management (IFM).
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ETR, 20. Aviation hazards
This document is to guide forecasters working for the aviation community. Its intention is to discuss the many and varied phenomena which, unfortunately, can prove hazardous to aviation which lower the safety of air operation and may cause loss of equipment and life. Whilst some forecasting techniques are mentioned, of itself this document is not a forecasting ‘textbook’. It is intended that the reader is familiar with some quite technical terms used in meteorology. Practicing forecasters reading this document should have ready access to more involved texts on the various subjects.
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Agricultural Meteorology Programme (AgMP), 102. Use Of Seasonal Forecasts And Climate Prediction In Operational Agriculture
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Kanga A.; Magrin Graciela O.; et al. - WMO, 2007 (WMO/TD-No. 1344)The Commission for Agricultural Meteorology (CAgM) at its 12 th Session held in Accra, Ghana, 18-26 February 1999, established the Working Group on the Use of Seasonal Forecasts Climate Prediction in Operational Agriculture. The Terms of Reference of the Working Group are:
a) In liaison with the CLIPS project, review and summarise the current advances in seasonal forecasts and climate prediction and the products and services relevant to agriculture that are becoming available based on the forecasts
b) To survey and summarise, using appropriate case studies, the current applicat ...
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Évolution du climat et désertification
Que ce soit à l’échelle continentale ou régionale ou à l’échelle des bassins océaniques, de nombreux changements climatiques de longue durée ont été observés. On citera notamment la modification des températures et des glaces de l’Arctique, les grosses variations en termes de volume de précipitations, de salinité des océans, de configuration des vents, de phénomènes météorologiques extrêmes (sécheresse, fortes précipitations, vagues de chaleur) et l’intensité des cyclones tropicaux. On observe, depuis les années 70, des épisodes de sécheresse plus intenses et plus longs touchant des zones plu ...
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Climate Change and Desertification
At continental, regional, and ocean basin scales, numerous long-term changes in climate have been observed. These include changes in Arctic temperatures and ice, widespread changes in precipitation amounts, ocean salinity, wind patterns and aspects of extreme weather including droughts, heavy precipitation, heat waves and the intensity of tropical cyclones. More intense and longer droughts have been observed over wider areas since the 1970s, particularly in the tropics and subtropics.
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PWS, 15. Guidelines on capacity building strategies in Public Weather Services
Weather affects virtually every person on the planet, every day of the year. Consequently information on past, present and future weather conditions plays an important part in planning our daily lives. Although the provision of weather and climate information to the community at large has long been one of the main responsibilities of the National Meteorological Services (NMHSs) of the now 188 Member States and Territories of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), it is only during the past decade that most NMHSs have begun to focus their efforts on the provision of the highest possible ...
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Defusing disaster - reducing the risk : calamity is unnatural
IFRC, 2007This document addresses the risks that hazards bring as a Red Cross and Red Crescent priority. It presents their grassroots presence as an opportunity to tap into local knowledge, help communities identify the dangers they face, assess their capacities and vulnerabilities, and come up with solutions.
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Climate information for adaptation and development needs
This brochure provides updated information on how climate science and services can enhance adaptation to climate variability and change, especially for development needs.
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Cambio climático y desertificación
A nivel continental, regional y en las cuencas oceánicas se han observado numerosos cambios del clima a largo plazo y, en particular, cambios en la temperatura y el hielo de la región ártica, cambios generalizados en el volumen de las precipitaciones, la salinidad de los océanos, la configuración de los vientos y en aspectos de fenómenos meteorológicos extremos como sequías, fuertes precipitaciones y olas de calor, así como en la intensidad de los ciclones tropicales. Desde el decenio de 1970 se han observado sequías más intensas y más largas en zonas más extensas, especialmente en las regiones ...
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N°32 - Novembre 2006 - A la poursuite de la mousson africaine: ANMA
is an issue of Atmosphériques. Météo France, 2006
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N° 29 - Juin 2006 - Faire face aux variations et aux risques climatiques
is an issue of Nouvelles du climat mondial. OMM, 2006Contient:
- Faire face à la variabilité et à l’évolution du climat
- Temps, climat et maladies infectieuses
- L’élévation du niveau de la mer
- Le trou d’ozone 2005 entre dans les annales
- Levée des incertitudes et gestion des risques face aux changements climatiques
- COP-7 de la CCD
- Nouveaux directeurs aux questions climatiques à l’OMM
- La gestion des risques climatiques dans le secteur agricole
- Préparatifs de l’Année polaire internationale
- Les concentrations de gaz à effet de serre ont atteint de nouveaux records ...
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No. 29 - June 2006 - Living with Climate Variation and Risk
is an issue of World Climate News. WMO, 2006Contents:
- Living with climate variability and change
- Climate and infectious disease risks
- Homing in on rising sea levels
- 2005 ozone hole one of largest
- Addressing uncertainties and risk management in climate change
- COP-7 of UNCCD
- New climate-related directors at WMO
- Managing climate risk in agriculture
- International Polar Year update
- Greenhouse gas concentrations reach new highs in 2004
- NewWebsite for WHYCOS
- Seasonal forecasts and risk management
- GEOSS update
- Tackling ...
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2006/No. 1 - February 2006 - Reducing the risk from natural hazards
is an issue of MeteoWorld. WMO, 2006
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2006/N° 1 - Février 2006 - Réduire la menace de catastrophes naturelles
is an issue of MétéoMonde. OMM, 2006
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Monitoring land cover dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa : a Pilot Study using Earth Observing Satellite Data from 1975 and 2000
human welfare (Foley et al. 2005). In many developing countries populations are heavily dependant on freshwater, forests croplands and fisheries (Homer-Dixon and Blitt 1998) to which we should add pastures. Shortages in these sectors can give rise to increased poverty, environmental refugees (Jacobson, 1988) and even conflict. Some authorities have even suggested a new age of insecurity (HomerDixon, 1991 ), the so-called “neo-Malthusian” theory. There is a growing body of literature on environmental scarcity and conflict (Raleigh and Urdal, 2005, Urdal, 2005) which reflects not only cur ...
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Improved seasonal climate forecasts of the South Asian summer monsoon using a suite of 13 coupled ocean-atmosphere models
Several modeling studies have shown that the south Asian monsoon region has the lowest skill for seasonal forecasts compared with many other domains of the world. This paper demonstrates that a multimodel synthetic superensemble approach, when constructed with any set of coupled atmosphere-ocean models, can provide improved skill in seasonal climate prediction compared with single-member models or their ensemble mean for the south Asian summer monsoon region. However, performance of the superensemble tends to improve when a better set of input member models are used. As many as 13 state-of-the ...
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Conceptual Models of Tropical Waves
Tropical waves are prolific rainfall producers that sometimes form tropical cyclones. Conceptual models of tropical waves are used to help learners understand the dynamical characteristics and evolution of tropical waves. Users will learn about the vertical and horizontal structure of tropical waves and the typical weather changes that accompany the passage of a tropical wave. Four different methods of tracking tropical waves are also provided. The Webcast is presented by Mr. Horace Burton and Mr. Selvin Burton of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology under the auspices of the ...
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River Ice Processes
The “River Ice Processes” module provides information on flooding associated with river ice jams. In this webcast, Dr. Kate White, nationally-recognized expert on river ice, explores basic river ice processes including the formation, growth, breakup, and transport of river ice and how it can become jammed, triggering floods. In addition, Dr. White covers the current, state-of-the-art ice jam forecasting, and current ice-modeling research and development being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As a foundation topic for the Basic Hydrologic Science course, this module may be taken o ...
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Flash Flood Processes
According to NOAA’s National Weather Service, a flash flood is a life-threatening flood that begins within 6 hours--and often within 3 hours--of a causative event. That causative event can be intense rainfall, the failure of a dam, levee, or other structure that is impounding water, or the sudden rise of water level associated with river ice jams. The “Flash Flood Processes” module offers an introduction to the distinguishing features of flash floods, the underlying hydrologic influences and the use of flash flood guidance (FFG) products. Through use of rich illustrations, animations, and inte ...
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Winds in the Marine Boundary Layer: A Forecaster's Guide
This module is intended for experienced forecasters moving from a land-based area to a coastal or Great Lakes region where both over-land and over-water forecast areas exist. This module highlights the differences between marine boundary layer and terrestrial boundary layer winds. The experienced forecaster is relatively familiar with the boundary layer over land and the associated implications for the wind field. Using this as a base, the module compares this known quantity with the lesser-known processes that occur in the marine boundary layer. Three major topics that influence marine bounda ...
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Watersheds: Connecting Weather to the Environment
This short course provides broadcast meteorologists with knowledge and instructional materials to help them understand watersheds as our environmental home and to help their viewers understand the relationship between the weather and the health and protection of the environment. Environmental impacts in many areas of the country result from the daily actions of people. We can easily see the consequences of a major oil spill at sea that is driven ashore by winds and ocean currents, but what about the fertilizer that people put on their lawns and the de-icer they apply to their driveway, or chan ...
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