Global Campus
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.
Please note that resources contributed by Members will reside on other websites and may allow limited access or require login. For copyright information, see the WMO Global Campus Copyright Practice Standards and the contributor’s website. Quality standards are described in the Recommended Quality Guidelines for Global Campus E-Library Submissions.
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.
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.
You can search resources by using the filters on the right of the screen or by clicking "Refine your search" below. This will display advanced search criteria.
Browse by competencies
Sorted by (Issue date descending, Date of update descending, Date of creation descending, Number of collection descending) Add the result to your favourites Refine your search
Understanding Marine Customers, 2nd Edition
Understanding Marine Customers, 2nd edition, introduces the different marine forecast customers and discusses what forecast information they need to know and why they need to know it. A better understanding of the needs of the marine forecast customer will lead to better daily forecasts. The 2nd edition expands upon marine customer base to include more nearshore users, such as beachgoers, surfers, and sea kayakers.
GCOS, 226. GCOS Surface Reference Network (GSRN) : Justification, requirements, siting and instrumentation options
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); et al. - WMO, 2019This report is produced by the GSRN Task Team and provides a proposal for the establishment of a GCOS Surface Reference Network, with the support of the GCOS programme, relevant programmes at WMO and the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). It outlines the next steps required for the implementation of a GSRN: approval of the proposed GSRN by relevant WMO programmes, the GCOS programme and other sponsors, solicitation of offers to host and staff appropriately the proposed Lead Centre, and the selection of suitable sites for an initial GSRN.
Communicating Climate Change Scenarios With Decision Makers: Lecture by Dr. Holly Hartmann, Research Hydrologist
In this 1-hour lecture, presented in three parts, research hydrologist Dr. Holly Hartmann discusses issues and approaches for communicating with decision-makers regarding climate change topics in water management and planning. Dr. Hartmann is a national leader in research related to the development of decision support tools for climate, water, and other resource management applications, especially linking research with the needs of decision-makers and moving research into agency operations. Dr. Hartmann is Carpe Diem West’s Director of Climate Science Applications. Previously she was Director ...
Multispectral Satellite Applications: Monitoring the Wildland Fire Cycle, 2nd Edition
This lesson describes current and future satellites sensors and products used for monitoring the fire cycle, with an emphasis on polar-orbiting satellites. Product information is presented in the context of the fire lifecycle: from assessing the pre- and post-fire environment to detecting and monitoring active fires, smoke, and aerosols. Product information is also consolidated in the Fire Product Suite. The lesson concludes with an interactive fire case study, supplemented with observations from a National Weather Service trainer/forecaster who experienced the fire. The lesson is intended for ...
WMO Product Access Guide
The Product Access Guide is a web-based resource maintained by the World Meteorological Organization to (i) facilitate online search for quality-controlled, documented satellite-based data products from providers worldwide, related expert groups, and training material, (ii) enhance the visibility of satellite data products and related material; (iii) address insufficient awareness of users, especially in developing countries. The Product Access Guide complements the WMO Information System and allows a more targeted search experience than Google or the GEO portal. This resource is made availabl ...
Gravity for Geodesy II: Applications
Gravity is an important part of geodesy, with implications for height measurements and many other applications. In this module, we explore the concept of equipotential surfaces and relate them to gravity. Then we discuss geodetic applications that rely on accurate gravity measurements, including leveling surveys and floodplain mapping. We introduce a special surface based on gravity, called the gravimetric geoid, and explain why we want to use it as a reference datum. We discuss how to measure Earth’s gravity and introduce you to the National Geodetic Survey’s GRAV-D project, including how and ...
Interpreting and Communicating EPS Guidance: Iberian Heat Wave
This 45-minute lesson briefly introduces learners to the benefits of using probabilistic forecast information to assess the weather and communicate forecast uncertainties. Learners will explore a heat wave event in Spain and practice interpreting EPS forecast products effectively to determine various forecast parameters based on lead-time. Also, learners will decide how to best communicate the potential weather threats and impacts information to local end users.
ASMET 7: Convective Weather and Aviation in West and Central Africa
The hazards associated with convective systems present some of the most dangerous conditions encountered by aircraft and pose many challenges to aviation operations. When convection is forecast to develop, aviation forecasters are required to issue a series of warning messages and other meteorological aeronautical products to various members of the aviation community. This lesson teaches these forecasters how to produce the products, doing so in the context of a case study in which learners assume the role of aeronautical forecaster on duty at the airport in Niamey, Niger on a night when conve ...
Applying Diagnostic and Forecast Tools: Forecasting Fog and Low Stratus
This module discusses how to apply various observational data and remote sensing tools such as satellite, METARS, soundings, profilers, radar, and model analyses to diagnose the potential for fog and/or low stratus. Various forecast tools (such as model forecast fields, forecast soundings, and BUFKIT) used to assess fog and/or low stratus potential onset, intensity, and duration are also examined. This module is part of the Distance Learning Course 1: Forecasting Fog and Low Stratus.
Adding Value to NWP Guidance
The purpose of this module is to train operational meteorologists at NWS WFOs and elsewhere how to maximize opportunities to add value to NWP forecasts. The training includes use of the methods and tools from earlier modules in Course 2 of Effective Use of NWP in the Forecast Process. Included in the module are two case examples for the short- and medium-range. Additionally, a WES "caselet" is available from the NWS Warning Decision Training Branch that further illustrates how to add value to NWP guidance.
Microwave Remote Sensing: Clouds, Precipitation, and Water Vapor
This module provides an introduction to polar-orbiting-satellite-based microwave remote sensing products that depict moisture and precipitation in the atmosphere. The module begins with definitions and descriptions of total precipitable water and cloud liquid water products, contrasting each with more familiar infrared water vapor and window channel products. This is followed by an overview of microwave precipitation estimation and a discussion of how polar-satellite products compare with those from geostationary satellites and ground-based radar. A series of case examples highlights potential ...
Introduction to the North American Ensemble Forecast System (NAEFS)
This webcast introduces the forecaster to the new multiple-forecast-center North American Ensemble Forecast System (NAEFS). Beginning with a brief review of the theory behind ensemble prediction, this presentation then introduces the elements of the NAEFS. These include the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) and the Canadian Meteorological Center’s Ensemble Forecast System (CEFS). A description of each separate ensemble system is followed by a discussion of how the NAEFS improves the ensemble forecast over either the GEFS or CEFS alone. ...
Gridded Forecast Verification and Bias Correction
To become a better forecaster, it is not enough to simply know that a forecast did not verify. One must determine what happened and identify methods for improvement through forecast verification. The forecast verification process helps answer questions like: Is there a particular method that has been more effective in the past in similar circumstances? Is there guidance that is more accurate? Are there persistent biases in our forecasts? Do our forecasts perform better in certain regimes than others? In the era of gridded forecasts, grid-based verification provides more information about the s ...
Space Weather Impacts on Aviation
Space Weather Impacts on Aviation examines the effects of solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other solar phenomena on aviation operations. The lesson builds on background science knowledge taught in the course prerequisite, Space Weather Basics, 2nd Edition. The content gives aviation forecasters and others an overview of the information and products available from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center and provides practice interpreting and using those products for decision support during space weather events.
Polar Satellite Products for the Operational Forecaster (POES) Module 2: Microwave Products and Applications
This Web-based module is a component of the Integrated Sensor Training (IST) Professional Development Series (PDS) Professional Competency Unit #6-Satellite Data and Products. This module provides a closer look at the capabilities, products, and applications available to operational weather forecasting with the present suite of microwave instruments onboard both NOAA and DMSP satellites. If you wish, you may launch the module from this page.
Climate and Water Resources Management, Part 1: Climate Variability and Change
Climate is changing at unprecedented rates in recorded history. A variety of lines of evidence demonstrate that climate change is likely to affect the hydrologic cycle and thus create new challenges in water management. This requires that climate change information be included in water and water-related resources planning, operations, and management. Climate and Water Resources Management, Part 1: Climate Variability and Change describes the terminology, global evidence, regional manifestations, and basic science of global climate variability and anthropogenic change, with a focus on water res ...
Satellite-Derived Climatology Products for Monitoring Convection Over West and Central Africa
A weather forecaster’s knowledge of climatology is important to the success of a forecast, especially where convection is involved. That’s particularly true over Central and West Africa where convection has a strong diurnal cycle and usually develops over particular geographic regions and during specific time intervals. The lesson describes satellite-derived cloud climatology products and several global instability indices, all of which can be integrated with other products to forecast convection. Although the lesson uses examples of climatology products from specific months, it makes the full ...
PBL in Complex Terrain - Part 2
This is part 2 of a 2-part Webcast based on a presentation by Dr. David Whiteman on August 11, 2004 in Boulder, CO. Dr. Whiteman presents conceptual and practical information regarding winds in the planetary boundary layer in complex terrain. Part 2 topics include valley wind systems, cross-valley wind systems, diurnal mountain-wind systems, and plateau-basin wind systems.
River Forecasting Case Study
This module takes the learner through the considerations for the river forecasting decisions associated with the remnants of Hurricane Ivan on 17-19 September, 2004 for the Susquehanna River system in Pennsylvania and New York. The module assists the learner with applying the concepts covered in the foundation topics of the Basic Hydrologic Sciences course. Some of the specific topics pertinent to this case are soil conditions, the impact of QPF on runoff, runoff models, runoff processes, routed flow and stage-discharge relationships. Observations of upstream conditions and comparisons to hist ...
Challenges of Forecasting in the West
During this presentation, Dr. Brad Colman (NOAA/NWS) covers both the philosophical and methodological approaches to weather forecasting in general, with a special emphasis on challenges introduced in areas of complex terrain. The insightful comments made by the presenter regarding recommended approaches to applying conceptual models, mesoscale model output, and decision trees in the forecast process are useful to anyone who predicts the weather.
How Models Produce Precipitation and Clouds - version 2
This module, part of the "NWP Training Series: Effective Use of NWP in the Forecast Process", explores how NWP models handle both grid-scale microphysical (precipitation) and convective processes through parameterizations and/or explicit methods, with an emphasis on how model treatment (and errors in the triggering) of these processes affects forecast depiction of precipitation and related forecast variables. Back in 2000, the subject matter expert for this module was Dr. Ralph Petersen of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Environmental Modeling Center (NCEP/EMC). Revisions to ...
Multispectral Satellite Applications: RGB Products Explained
This lesson provides an overview of meteorological and environmental RGB products, namely, how they are constructed and how to use them. The first half provides background information on the RGB development process and the rapid evolution of RGB products as newer geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite imagers incorporate additional spectral channels. The second half of the lesson, the Applications section, focuses on the formulation and uses of RGB products; providing examples, interpretation exercises, satellite specific information, and other background information for many of the common ...
Inverted Troughs Case Exercise
This exercise follows the progression of a winter weather event across the Central Plains states beginning 1200 UTC on 7 March 1999. Each forecast question is accompanied by Eta model data and includes a forecast discussion by Phil Schumacher, NWS Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This exercise compliments the Webcast, Inverted Troughs and their Associated Precipitation Regimes, based on a presentation by Phil Schumacher at the MSC Winter Weather Course, December 2002, in Boulder Colorado.
Streamflow Routing: International Edition
Streamflow routing provides a set of methods for describing and predicting the movement of water from one point to another along a river. Typically, this process involves predicting the shape of a hydrograph downstream from a particular location in a channel, reservoir, or lake. This first requires an understanding of the basic flow regimes and how water is stored and released within a channel. From there, information and calculations based on flow and channel bed characteristics are implemented in hydrologic routing methods, which are storage-based, and hydraulic routing methods, which utiliz ...
ASMET 7: Detecting Clear Air Turbulence Over Southern Africa
Turbulence is a major concern for the aviation industry. It often goes undetected in cloud-free areas, catching pilots off guard when they fly into it. Turbulence can injure passengers and crew, and cause structural damage to aircraft. This makes it critical for aviation weather forecasters to closely monitor the atmosphere for signs of turbulence and issue special warnings when it is likely to be present. This lesson helps prepare forecasters for these tasks by providing general information about turbulence and showing them how to detect it using satellite imagery, tephigrams, and NWP product ...
Add tag 
