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The WMO Global Campus E-Library
The WMO Global Campus initiative is proud to offer this WMOLearn Library of resources. This library provides a searchable collection of educational resources, including WMO publications and education and training materials from various contributing organisations and individuals. Search by WMO competency framework, Main Topics, Region and Country, and/or Nature of Information to find materials useful for training or self-directed learning.
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WMO Global Campus resources provided on this Site are provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. The WMO specifically does not make any warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any such resources.
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Basic Terminal Forecast Strategies
"Basic Terminal Forecast Strategies" is the first component of the Distance Learning Course 2, Producing Customer-Focused TAFs. Basic Terminal Forecast Strategies is comprised of two lessons that provide 1) an introduction to understanding aviation customers and their needs and 2) a technique to meet those needs by producing clear, concise, and consistent terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs).
Reservoir Pool Elevation: Considerations for Long-term Asset Management and Planning
Long-term management of critical water resources infrastructure needs to incorporate projected changes to environmental conditions. Reservoirs form the heart of water resource assets. Long-range plans for the repair, replacement, maintenance and renovation of these facilities depend on accurate projections of reservoir pool elevations. Environmental conditions, in turn, dictate the magnitude and timing of inflows and outflows from reservoirs, and thus the resulting water surface elevation. This lesson explores the factors that affect reservoir pool elevation and the considerations and challeng ...
Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd Edition: Chapter 7: Synoptic and Mesoscale Systems
In this chapter, we examine the wide-variety of synoptic and mesoscale weather systems that affect the tropics, including, tropical easterly waves, upper tropospheric troughs, monsoon depressions, subtropical cyclones, westerly wind bursts, and cold fronts. Extratropical interactions, such as those caused by Rossby wave trains and the MJO, are examined. The chapter presents a review of thunderstorms and lightning. The structure, formation mechanisms, and impacts of mesoscale convective systems are examined. The distribution of lightning globally and within mesoscale systems is examined. Mesosc ...
North Wall Effects on Winds and Waves
North Wall events refer to high wind and wave events that occur along the north edge of warm, fast, western boundary currents. These events occur along the Gulf Stream off the mid-Atlantic states of the U.S. and along the Kuroshio Current near Japan and Taiwan. This module explores the relationships between atmospheric stability, winds, waves, and ocean currents during North Wall events. Using three different case studies, we examine the relevant aspects of several topics, including the synoptic setting, ocean currents, evolution of the marine boundary layer, growth of ocean waves, and potenti ...
Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd Edition, Chapter 9: Observations, Analysis, and Prediction
The chapter describes the challenges of tropical weather forecasting. We examine types of observations and weather analysis techniques used by tropical forecasters. Those analysis tools are applied to examples of tropical synoptic weather systems as well as mesoscale analysis and nowcasting. The last three sections focus on numerical weather prediction (NWP) including: the fundamentals, data assimilation, comparisons of statistical and dynamical models, ensemble techniques, cumulus convection in NWP, tropical cyclone prediction, and methods of forecast verification and validation. We have spec ...
Vorticity Minima and Anticomma Patterns
Vorticity minima signatures are common features of the atmosphere. They indicate areas of descending circulation and atmospheric forcing and can be used to diagnose dynamic features such as the axis of maximum winds and deformation zones. This module provides insight on the analysis of these dynamic atmospheric features. This module is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".
Mesoscale Aspects of Winter Weather Forecasting Topics
The Mesoscale Aspects of Winter Weather Forecasting effort is comprised of a growing series of in-depth case exercises bundled with supporting topics. This site provides access to the supporting topics seperate from the case exercises.
Topics in Dynamic Meteorology: Thermal Wind
This lesson explores the dynamic links between temperature, pressure, and wind in the atmosphere. The qualitative description of the relationships is augmented with "Math Sidebars" that provide a quantitative treatment. Numerous applications to climatology and forecasting conclude the module.
The Structure of the NWS Fire Weather Program
The Structure of the NWS Fire Weather Program explores the joint agreement between NOAA’s NWS and land management agencies to develop an appreciation of the contribution each agency makes in providing the best possible fire weather services. As part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course, this module focuses on the NWS Fire Weather Program itself to set the stage for other course modules.
Interviews with Frank Leitz, Senior Chemical Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation
In these three short video interviews, Frank Leitz, Senior Chemical Engineer with the Bureau of Reclamation shares stories and lessons learned from his work on water purification and desalination projects. In the first video, “Lessons-learned: Cost-modeling for Desalination Projects”, Frank shares some historical lessons from his experience estimating the cost of desalination projects. In the second video, “The Pioneering Role of the Yuma Desalting Plant in Large-Scale Membrane Desalination”, Frank provides some interesting background to the story of the creation of this historic and innovativ ...
Forecasting Aviation Icing: Icing Type and Severity
This module discusses the current theories of atmospheric conditions associated with aircraft icing and applies the theories to the icing diagnosis and forecast process. The contribution of liquid water content, temperature, and droplet size parameters to icing are examined. Identification of icing type, icing severity, and the hazards associated with icing features are presented. Tools to help diagnose atmospheric processes that may be contributing to icing and the special case of supercooled large drop (SLD) icing are examined and applied in short exercises. The use of graphics, animations, ...
The Value of Accurate Water Levels
NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) operates the National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) a system of water level sensors, that form the backbone of our nation’s coastal observation infrastructure. This short video, intended for decision makers and the general public, describes the value of accurate NWLON water level data provided by CO-OPS.
GOES-R Series Faculty Virtual Course: Aviation Products
In this webinar recording, Amanda Terborg (with input from Dr. Chad Gravelle), will demonstrate the capabilities of GOES-R/16 in analyzing hazards affecting the aviation industry. The talk focuses specifically on four hazards (but there are others): 1) fog and low stratus, 2) in-flight turbulence, 3) dust, and 4) volcanic ash. Through the use of GOES-R/16 spectral bands, band differences, and RGB composites, satellite data users can detect the development and evolution of aviation threats better than with any previous geostationary satellites. This is a recorded webinar presented by an instruc ...
GOES-16 Case Exercise: 8 May 2017 Colorado Hail Event
GOES-16, the first satellite in the GOES-R series, launched in November 2016 and now provides 16 multispectral bands of satellite data, including CONUS scans every five minutes, with 0.5 kilometer visible imagery resolution and 2.0 km longwave infrared resolution. This lesson harnesses GOES-16’s increased temporal and spatial resolutions to identify convective development and intensity signatures on traditional longwave IR and visible band imagery, and compares the experience to using legacy GOES products. The lesson is geared toward early-career forecasters, those forecasters wanting more exp ...
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.
Freezing and Melting, Precipitation Type, and Numerical Weather Prediction
This Webcast is based on a COMET classroom presentation by Dr. Gary Lackmann at the 2nd MSC Winter Weather Course held in Boulder, Colorado on 22 February 2002. Dr. Lackmann reviews the basic thermodynamics of freezing and melting and how operational models represent these processes. He also touches upon the biases that occur in the models by looking at examples of melting snow aloft, melting snow at the surface, freezing aloft (ice pellets), and freezing rain. Dr. Lackmann is a faculty member in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University.
Introduction to Hydrography
This module describes hydrography pertaining to nautical charting and navigation. It covers how nautical charts are created, who creates them, the products available, and how to find and use them.
Precipitation Estimates, Part 2: Analysis
This is part two of a two-module series on estimation of observed precipitation. Through the use of rich illustrations, animations, and interactions, this module provides an introduction to the science behind successful application of the products and tools available through the NWS Multisensor Precipitation Estimator (MPE) software and related products. An overview is presented of the key fields available in MPE along with illustrations of their use. These include radar, gauge, satellite, bias-adjusted radar, and multisensor fields of precipitation accumulation along with data displays and ta ...
Shallow Water Waves
This is the fourth lesson in our series on open water waves. As deep-water waves approach the coastline, they encounter shallower water and begin to interact with the sea floor while evolving into shallow water waves. This lesson uses an interactive wave calculator to look at a variety of shallow-water wave behaviors, including shoaling, refraction, reflection, breaking, attenuation, and coastal run-up and set-up. All are important considerations when forecasting for small craft and other recreational interests in the near-shore environment.
Climate and Water Resources Management, Part 2: General Principles in Integrating Climate Change
This lesson describes a common approach used by the United States Bureau of Reclamation to scope a study on integrating climate change information into water resources management and planning. Learners will become familiar with the types of questions that must be addressed for considering climate change impacts when scoping their study. Examples are given for several different water resources mission areas. Note that this is the second of a two lesson series, the first one is titled, "Climate and Water Resources Management, Part 1: Climate Variability and Change."
Climate and Water Resources Management, Part 2: General Principles in Integrating Climate Change
This lesson describes a common approach used by the United States Bureau of Reclamation to scope a study on integrating climate change information into water resources management and planning. Learners will become familiar with the types of questions that must be addressed for considering climate change impacts when scoping their study. Examples are given for several different water resources mission areas. Note that this is the second of a two lesson series, the first one is titled, "Climate and Water Resources Management, Part 1: Climate Variability and Change."
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 ...
Weather Observing Fundamentals
"Weather Observing Fundamentals" provides guidance for U.S. Navy Aerographer's Mates, Quartermasters, and civilian observers tasked with taking and reporting routine, special, and synoptic observations. Although the focus of this lesson is on shipboard observations, much of the content applies to land-based observing and reporting as well. The lesson details standard procedures for taking accurate weather observations and for encoding those observations on COMNAVMETOCCOM Report 3141/3. Exercises throughout the lesson and four weather identification drills at the end provide learners with oppor ...
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 ...
SatFC-J: The VIIRS Day/Night Band
This lesson introduces the innovative Day/Night Band (DNB). Producing both daytime and nighttime visible images, the unique aspect of the DNB is its nocturnal low-light imaging capability. It views reflected moonlight from clouds and Earth's surface, surface light emissions from various natural sources (such as fires) and anthropogenic sources (such as city lights and gas flares), and even from certain atmospheric light emissions such as the aurora, airglow, and lightning flashes. The lesson describes the capabilities and benefits of the DNB, in particular using the Near-Constant Contrast (NCC ...
Deformation Zone Diagnosis
Following an analysis of the main features of a deformation zone, the diagnosis of temporal and spatial changes in these features can be used to deduce underlying meteorological processes and their progression. In turn, this knowledge can then be used in the forecast process to adjust the forecast accordingly. This module takes 35-45 minutes to complete. It is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".
Operational Environmental Monitoring Applications using the Community Satellite Processing Package (CSPP)
This resource demonstrates the variety of satellite imagery and products accessible through the Community Satellite Processing Package (CSPP). Two videos, the first focused on imagery applications and the second on microwave applications, provide an overview of the types of weather and environmental information available through CSPP. Using CSPP, forecasters and others needing timely access to data can download and display imagery and products from Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) instruments. The resource provides some background information for obtaining and using the CSPP software, which ...
Understanding Assimilation Systems: How Models Create Their Initial Conditions - version 2
Understanding Assimilation Systems: How Models Create Their Initial Conditions, is part of the "NWP Training Series: Effective Use of NWP in the Forecast Process." This module explains the data assimilation process, including the role of the model itself as well as the observations. It provides learners an appreciation for how models use data as a function of model resolution and data type, how data influence the analysis, the limitations of data assimilation systems, the importance of initial conditions on the quality of NWP guidance, as well as the challenges of assessing the quality of NWP ...
Weather and Road Management
Anticipating and dealing with weather and the hazards it creates is a real challenge for those in departments of transportation. This module gives road and highway managers a basic understanding of meteorology and weather hazards so that they can better interpret weather forecast information used to make road management decisions. The module also highlights web-based forecast products available from the National Weather Service that can help in the decision-making process.
Communicating Forecast Uncertainty
This scenario-based lesson introduces the topic of communicating forecast uncertainty to decision-makers, such as emergency managers, related industry professionals, the public, and other end-users. In a case that spans the lesson, learners begin by developing a forecast discussion using deterministic data, refine it with probabilistic ensemble data, and evaluate how well it conveys uncertainty information. Then they assume several end-user roles, assessing how well the forecast discussion addresses their needs. From there, important research findings on communicating uncertainty are discussed ...
Understanding the Hydrologic Cycle: International Edition
This module helps students gain a basic understanding of the elements of the hydrologic cycle. The hydrologic cycle is the continuous movement and phase change of liquid water, ice, and water vapor above, on, under and through the earth's surface. This module examines the basic concepts of the hydrologic cycle including water distribution, atmospheric water, surface water, groundwater, and snowpack/snowmelt.
SatFC-G: Visible and Near-IR Bands
This lesson introduces you to the two visible and one of the near-infrared imager bands on the GOES R-U ABI (Advanced Baseline Imager), focusing on their spectral characteristics and how they affect what each band observes. Also included is a brief discussion of the customization of visible enhancements as an important consideration for improving the depiction of various features of interest. This lesson is a part of the NWS Satellite Foundation GOES-R Course.
Sea Level Change: Basics
This lesson describes the physical processes, both natural and human-induced, that lead to changes in sea level. The processes described include climate induced changes in ocean heat content and volume, natural oceanic cycles, and both natural and human-induced changes in coastal land elevation. The learning is enhanced with rich graphics and periodic questions.
Met 101: Introduction to the Atmosphere
This lesson provides an overview of Earth’s atmosphere, its vertical structure, the fundamental forces acting on air, and how the atmosphere's composition affects the colors we see in the sky. The lesson also includes information about how Earth receives energy from the Sun as solar and infrared radiation, and the mechanisms for transferring heat around the globe. Learners will be introduced to the components of Earth’s water cycle, and also briefly explore the main types of systems used to observe the atmosphere.
HYSPLIT Applications for Emergency Decision Support, 2nd Edition
This module helps forecasters provide decision support services during hazardous materials emergencies. Topics covered include: Types of weather data inputs required for short-range dispersion models typically used by emergency managers Types of inputs required to run the web version of the HYSPLIT model with the ALOHA source term, which is now available to NWS forecasters The types and scales of events that are appropriate and inappropriate for modeling by HYSPLIT Key uncertainties that can cause misleading dispersion model forecasts The processes and limitations of CAMEO/ALOHA and HYSPLIT Ho ...
Interpreting Climate Outlooks: An Australian Example
Climate outlooks provide probability-based information about expected rainfall and temperatures at timescales of months or longer. This lesson demonstrates how monthly and seasonal outlooks issued by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology can be combined with other information for use in decision-making by persons in climate-sensitive sectors. The lesson explains the main drivers affecting Australia's climate—ENSO, Indian Ocean Dipole, Southern Annular Mode, and the subtropical ridge—and explores how the status of the climate drivers can affect the outlook maps as well as confidence in the outlo ...
Climate and Water Resources Management, Part 2: General Principles in Integrating Climate Change
This lesson describes a common approach used by the United States Bureau of Reclamation to scope a study on integrating climate change information into water resources management and planning. Learners will become familiar with the types of questions that must be addressed for considering climate change impacts when scoping their study. Examples are given for several different water resources mission areas. Note that this is the second of a two lesson series, the first one is titled, "Climate and Water Resources Management, Part 1: Climate Variability and Change."
Understanding the Role of Deterministic versus Probabilistic NWP Information
Understanding the Role of Deterministic versus Probabilistic NWP Information is part of the "NWP Training Series: Effective Use of NWP in the Forecast Process." This lesson first covers deterministic (single) NWP model forecasts and explains advantages and limitations through a case example. Then it discusses overcoming the limitations in deterministic forecasts through the use of ensemble forecast systems, and the use of deterministic and probabilistic forecasts together, through case examples.
ASMET: 2009 Drought in East Africa
The module examines the 2009 drought in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA), focusing on conditions in Kenya. The module begins by reviewing drought conditions in the years leading up to 2009. From there, it examines the seasonal climate forecast for the beginning of 2009 and see what it portends. Satellite products are used to study rainfall performance throughout the year and its impact on the drought situation. Finally, the module describes the climate oscillations that can impact drought in the GHA and identifies patterns that were present in 2009 and contributed to its severity. By the end o ...
Limitations of High-Resolution NWP Models
This scenario-based lesson examines how the limitations of high-resolution NWP forecasts affect their analyses and forecasts of winter and severe weather, and how best to use the output in light of the limitations. The lesson is structured around a case that occurred in Texas in December 2015 when winter weather and severe weather hit Amarillo and Dallas-Ft. Worth, respectively. As users go through the case, they learn how spin-up time, errors in initial conditions, and deficiencies in the modeling of mesoscale phenomena can impact high-resolution forecasts in the NAM nest and HRRR models.
Writing TAFS for Ceilings and Visibility
"Writing TAFs for Ceilings and Visibility" is the fifth unit in the Distance Learning Aviation Course 2 (DLAC2) series on producing TAFs that meet the needs of the aviation community. In addition to providing information about tools for diagnosing low ceilings and reduced in visibility and its related impacts, the module extends the Practically Perfect TAF (PPTAF) process to address an airport's operational thresholds. By understanding the thresholds at airports for which they produce TAFs, forecasters will be better able to produce a PPTAF. The unit also examines how to communicate effectivel ...
Writing TAFS for Winter Weather
"Writing TAFs for Winter Weather" is the fourth unit in the Distance Learning Aviation Course 2 (DLAC2) series on producing TAFs that meet the needs of the aviation community. In addition to providing information about tools for diagnosing winter weather and its related impacts, the module extends the Practically Perfect TAF (PPTAF) process to address an airport’s operational thresholds. By understanding the thresholds at airports for which they produce TAFs, forecasters will be better able to produce a PPTAF. The unit also examines how to communicate effectively the logic and uncertainty usin ...
Forecasting Clear Air Turbulence for Aviation
This case-based, interactive lesson teaches a process for forecasting clear air turbulence (CAT) and applies it to a case that occurred over the U.S. Information about the synoptic patterns that generate CAT and the products and indices used to identify it are woven into the case. Some of this information is presented in optional sections intended for those who are unfamiliar with the material or want a refresher. The lesson is aimed at national and international forecasters who make aviation forecasts.
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.
Best Practices in Tropical Cyclone Briefings
Crafting clear, concise and effective messages focused on customer needs is a crucial skill in every decision-support situation. Tropical cyclones that threaten a coastline have the potential to inflict devastating damage to communities and communicating relevant weather information will assist decision-makers in their plans and preparation work. This lesson examines how to effectively prepare for the hurricane season and then focuses on how best to support NWS partners through meteorological briefings during tropical cyclone events. Basic familiarity with probabilistic forecast guidance is re ...
Tropical Synoptic Meteorology Curriculum Package
The Tropical Synoptic Meteorology Curriculum Package is a university-level, online meteorology course package. It is freely available to interested institutions that are expanding their course offerings, particularly their online offerings. The course fulfills the synoptic and mesoscale meteorology requirements for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Basic Instruction Package for Meteorology (BIP-M), but with an emphasis on the tropics to provide focus for those working or planning to work in tropical regions. The course utilizes existing and newly developed resources, including the on ...
Regional Study Guide: Review for Aeronautical Forecasters in Africa, selections from Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd edition
This Regional Study Guide highlights the sections of the Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, 2nd Edition online textbook that are applicable to aeronautical forecasting operations in Africa. Topics include remote sensing, global circulations, tropical variability, tropical cyclones and the challenges encountered when forecasting tropical weather. The guide consists of a list of links to the content in the textbook and has its own stand-alone quiz.
Unit Hydrograph Theory
The role of unit hydrograph theory in the flood prediction process is to provide an estimate of streamflow given the precipitation. A unit hydrograph shows the temporal change in flow, or discharge, per unit of runoff from excess precipitation. In other words, the unit hydrograph shows how the flow of a stream will be affected over time by the addition of one unit of runoff. This module offers a thorough introduction to the use of unit hydrographs and the application of unit hydrograph theory in flood prediction. Through use of rich illustrations, animations, and interactions, this module expl ...
S-290 Unit 5: Temperature and Relative Humidity Relationships
“S-290 Unit 5: Temperature and Relative Humidity Relationships” module focuses on methods of describing humidity in the atmosphere and how temperature changes can affect relative humidity. Topics from this module will be further related to effects on potential fire behavior in other modules of the Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior Course.
Volcanic Ash: Volcanism
This module is the second in the four-part Volcanic Ash series. It provides information about the geological, and geophysical processes related to volcanic activity and volcanic ash in the atmosphere and on the ground. It discusses four types of volcanic eruptions and describes six major volcanic hazards: Tephra Pyroclastic flow Lahar Lava flow Volcanic gas Tsunami
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