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Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd Edition, Chapter 3: Global Circulation
The chapter begins with a review of the general principles of atmospheric motion including scale analysis of tropical motions. An overview of the general circulation of the atmosphere and ocean is presented including stratospheric general circulation. Special emphasis is given to the Hadley circulation including its maintenance, seasonal migration, northern and southern hemispheric differences, and the contrast between tropical and midlatitude wind systems. Tropical circulations are examined in a theoretical framework as responses to heating at the equator. Regional monsoons, their conceptual ...
Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd Edition, Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter introduces learners to tropical meteorology including various methods of defining the tropics. An overview of energy balance and the global climate system is presented. The role of the tropics in the global energy and momentum balance is presented. Atmospheric structure of temperature and humidity are discussed in terms of latitudinal variability. Pressure ranges and scales of atmospheric motion in the tropics are reviewed. Seasonal and geographic distribution and the diurnal cycle of surface temperature and the influencing factors are examined in detail. Finally, we review tropic ...
Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd Edition, Chapter 4: Tropical Variability
This chapter presents an overview of the major cycles dominating intraseasonal and interannual variability in the tropics. Characteristic atmospheric and oceanic patterns for each oscillation are presented and methods for tracking the evolution of these cycles are described. Observations and conceptual models of equatorial waves are presented. Classical solutions for equatorial waves are outlined and the effects of moisture on the expression of these waves are discussed. Since the tropics are not an isolated region of the globe, the impacts of these cycles on higher latitudes are also explored ...
Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd Edition, Chapter 5: The Distribution of Moisture and Precipitation
Moisture and precipitation distribution governs life in the tropics. Surplus heating and rising motion in the tropics ignites the global water and energy cycles and influences weather in the midlatitudes. This chapter presents the horizontal and vertical distribution of water vapor, tropical cloud formation and distribution, the lifecycle and precipitation characteristics of tropical mesoscale convective systems, and the variability of tropical precipitation on yearly, seasonal, and hourly time-scales.
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.
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.
Understanding Drought
Understanding Drought--This webcast provides an introduction to drought. It presents the measures and scales of drought and how drought is monitored. It also covers how drought is predicted, the impacts of drought, and provides information about drought-related resources. This content serves as a foundation to learning more about climate variability and operational climate services and prepares users for the national implementation of NIDIS. This module was last updated on Sept 28, 2009.
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.
Using Climatological Products in Common Operations
This module answers the question, "How can climate data and products from the U.S. Air Force’s climate division (the 14th Weather Squadron) assist Department of Defense (DoD) forecasters in preparing for assignments to new locations and handling requests for specific information?" The 14th Weather Squadron is the DoD’s largest source of climatological data and analysis products and offers a standard suite of climate analysis products that are available both as preformatted text and graphics and, increasingly, as customizable products with user-defined variables. This module teaches forecasters ...
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 ...
Introduction to Statistics for Climatology
The effective use of climate data and products requires an understanding of what the statistical parameters mean and which parameters best summarize the data for particular climate variables. This module addresses both concerns, taking a two-pronged approach: 1) focusing on the statistical parameters (mean, median, mode, extreme values, percent frequency of occurrence and time, range, standard deviation, and data anomalies), defining what they mean and how they are calculated using climate data as examples, and 2) focusing on weather and climate variables, identifying the statistical parameter ...
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 ...
Creating a Local Climate Product Using Composite Analysis
This Webcast features Heather Hauser of NOAA/ERH/SSD describing the utility of and introducing the methodology for conducting composite analysis as part of the NWS Climate Services program. This 30-minute presentation is intended to introduce climate focal points to the composite analysis process and will be a useful prerequisite to attending the Operational Climate Services residence courses, where the topic will be explored further. Composite analysis is the foundation of a forthcoming local climate-related product, the "3 Month Outlook of Local El Nino/La Nina Impacts."
ENSO and Beyond
This Webcast, presented by Dr. Marty Hoerling of NOAA/CIRES/Climate Diagnostic Center, discusses the impacts of El Niño and La Niña variability on both North American and tropical weather. The presentation shows that these two phenomena are not simple inverses of each other and that anticipating their varying intensities is key to making successful climate forecasts. Two other ocean impacts that affect North American climate almost as strongly as ENSO are also introduced.
Should Synopticians Worry About Climate?
This lecture was presented during the ongoing workshops on Climate Variability that are part of the NWS Climate Professional Development Series. During the presentation, Dr. Sardeshmukh presents statistical evidence that demonstrates the impact that climate variability has on weather. The Webcast has an accompanying bibliography and climate glossary.
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Cycle
This Webcast, is an expert lecture by Dr. Vernon Kousky of NOAA/CPC, entitled "The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Cycle". The presentation covers the identification and global weather impacts associated with both phases of ENSO. This version of the presentation has enhanced graphics and has been modified to include an introduction to the newly established “Operational Niño Index” (ONI). A forecaster who attended the original classroom presentation on The ENSO Cycle had the following to say... “[This lecture was the] best presentation of the workshop! Very comprehensive, from the basics to ...
The Madden-Julian Oscillation Life Cycle
This Webcast, is an expert lecture by Dr. Roland Madden, where he describes the important climate-moderating feature, the Madden-Julian oscillation which is known more commonly as the MJO. The Webcast is presented in five sections and covers the identification and variability of the MJO. He also introduces some of the many global weather impacts that are associated with MJO occurrences. A forecaster who attended the original classroom presentation had the following to say…“This [lecture] was really the best yet! And hearing it from the "father" of the MJO made it so much better. It was so easy ...
The Role of the MJO in Oceanic and Atmospheric Variability
This Webcast, presented by Dr. Klaus Weickmann of NOAA/CIRES/Climate Diagnostic Center, explores the role that the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) plays in global climate variability. The expert lecture is divided into five sections, which give a short overview of the phenomenon, discuss its relationship with sea surface temperatures, compares composite MJO events to individual occurrences, and touches on the ability of models to predict MJO events.
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