To find previous module announcements, visit the What's New Archive.
30 June 2008
Introduction to Verification of Hydrologic Forecasts
This module offers a comprehensive description of a set of common verification measures for hydrologic forecasts, both deterministic and probabilistic. Through use of rich illustrations, animations, and interactions, this module explains how these verification measures can provide valuable information to users with varying needs. In addition to providing a measure of how well a forecast matches observations, verification measures can be used to help forecasters and users learn about the strengths and weaknesses of a forecast.
23 June 2008
Creating Meteorological Products from Satellite Data
This module presents an overview of how satellite data are turned into the satellite products used by operational forecasters and the research and educational communities, etc. The module begins by describing the process of creating simple image products that use relatively simple image manipulation techniques to highlight properties such as wind-blown dust, vegetation, and cloud phase. The module then describes some of the more complex processes involved in generating quantitative products, such as cloud identification, atmospheric instability, wildfire characterization, and sea surface temperature. Finally, the module introduces advanced products that use the thousands of channels on hyperspectral instruments to derive a variety of geophysical parameters related to the characterization of aerosols, trace gases, cloud microphysics, and atmospheric profiling, etc. The discussion of quantitative products uses the example of the Meteosat cloud mask, which indicates whether a pixel in a satellite image is clear or cloudy. Cloud mask products are important to all environmental satellites in that they form the basis for many other derived products.
12 June 2008
Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course Orientation
The Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course Orientation module introduces the organization of the course, the topics presented, and the intended audience, as well as the motivation for converting this course to online training. This web module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.
09 June 2008
Pronóstico de tipo e intensidad de engelamiento en aviación
This is the Spanish translation of Forecasting Aviation Icing: Icing Type and Severity, which 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.
28 May 2008
This is the Brazilian Portuguese translation of the "Understanding the Hydrologic Cycle" module. This module helps students gain a basic understanding of the elements of the hydrologic cycle. Making use of illustrations, animations, and interactions, this module examines the basic concepts of the hydrologic cycle including water distribution, atmospheric water, surface water, groundwater, and snowpack/snowmelt.
23 May 2008
Microwave Remote Sensing: Land and Ocean Surface Applications
This module introduces the concepts and principles basic to retrieving important land and ocean surface properties using microwave remote sensing observations from polar-orbiting satellites. Section one reviews the advantages of microwave remote sensing from polar-orbiting platforms and briefly highlights some of the unique spectral characteristics that allow for differentiation between various surface types and properties. Subsequent sections present a more in-depth look at the derivation and application of microwave products that quantify four different land and ocean surface properties and their characteristics, including snow cover and water equivalent, sea ice, surface wetness and soil moisture, and sea surface temperature. The module reviews both past and current satellite missions and also discusses the future NPOESS constellation that is expected to include a passive microwave sensing capability beginning with the second NPOESS satellite. This module takes about 120 minutes to complete.
22 May 2008
Introducción a la meteorología tropical, Capítulo 6: Distribución de humedad y precipitación
This is the Spanish translation of Chapter 6, The Distribution of Moisture and Precipitation, the second published chapter of the online textbook, Introduction to Tropical Meteorology. 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. Chapter 6 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. The online textbook has many special features including individual chapter review questions and quiz, topic focus sections, direct access to operational forecasting topics, box sections that elaborate on theoretical concepts, links to resources for further study, critical thinking questions interspersed throughout the text, icons that identify resource links and critical thinking exercises, and science biographies.
08 May 2008
Estrategias básicas para pronósticos de aeródromo
This is the Spanish translation of Basic Terminal Forecast Strategies which 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).
28 April 2008
The Fire Weather Climatology module provides a comprehensive look at fire regions across the United States and characteristics of typical fire seasons in each region. In addition, critical fire weather patterns are described in terms of their development, duration and impact on fire weather. Numerous case studies provide examples and opportunities to practice recognizing these critical patterns and how they can affect fire ignition and spread. This module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.
28 April 2008
Mesoscale Meteorology Effects on Fire Behavior
The Mesoscale Meteorology Effects on Fire Behavior module reviews the development of thermally forced winds in complex terrain and explores how these winds combine with the effects of terrain to influence fire spread. Three-dimensional conceptual animations illustrate these effects through a 24-hr period, as members of the team working this theoretical fire describe different aspects of weather, fire behavior, and operational fire fighting decisions at specific times during this day. This module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.
24 April 2008
Interacción entre flujo y topografía
This Spanish translation is a foundation module in the Mesoscale Meteorology Primer series. Topics covered include an overview of factors that control whether air will go up and over a mountain or be forced around it, the role of potential and kinetic energy, the Froude number and what it tells you, and air flow blocked by topography.
1 April 2008
Percepción remota por microondas: nubes, precipitación
y vapor de agua
This Spanish translation 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 weather forecasting applications for total precipitable water and precipitation products. The module also includes an introduction to the Global Precipitation Monitoring Mission to which future NPOESS satellites will be an important contributor. This module takes about 75 minutes to complete.
31 March 2008
The Assessing Fire Danger distance learning module explores techniques for recognizing weather and fuel conditions contributing to fire danger. The module includes a matrix of data sources offering useful weather, fuels, and other information related to fire ignition, spread, and intensity. An overview of situational awareness practices provides information relevant to forecasters in the office or field. This module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.
28 March 2008
Stability, Smoke Management, and Fire Weather Forecasting
The Stability, Smoke Management, and Fire Weather Forecasting module examines the effects of atmospheric stability on fire behavior and the transport of smoke, as well as fire and smoke management operations. Topics covered include the impacts of the formation, persistence, and dissipation of inversions and how best to relate forecast information on these phases to customers. Calculation and application of the Haines Index is applied through the highly interactive Haines Game. In addition, the influence of stability on the transport and dispersion of fire related smoke is covered in the context of smoke management programs and the critical information provided by fire weather forecasters. This web module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.
21 March 2008
The distribution of vorticity centres along an axis of maximum winds follows a fairly predictable pattern based on the characteristics of the flow. By diagnosing these characteristics, the meteorologist is able to quickly deduce the location and relative intensities of the associated vorticity centres as well as the relative sizes of the associated circulations. This information is summarized within the shape and orientation of the associated deformation zones. The deformation zones in turn reveal important details regarding feature motion and thermal advection and thus their diagnosis should be a critical part of the forecast process. This module takes 30-40 minutes to complete. It is part of the series: "Dynamic Feature Identification: The Satellite Palette".
19 March 2008
Introduction to Tropical Meteorology, Chapter 6: The Distribution of Moisture and Precipitation
Chapter 6, The Distribution of Moisture and Precipitation, is the second published chapter of the online textbook, Introduction to Tropical Meteorology. 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. Chapter 6 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. The online textbook has many special features including individual chapter review questions and quiz, topic focus sections, direct access to operational forecasting topics, box sections that elaborate on theoretical concepts, links to resources for further study, critical thinking questions interspersed throughout the text, icons that identify resource links and critical thinking exercises, and science biographies.
19 March 2008
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 simulations and to conduct hydraulic modeling as a part of dynamic wave forecasting.
19 March 2008
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the three main dimensions of the fire environment triangle: fuels, topography, and weather. Five interactive case studies illustrate the interdependent influences these three dimensions have on fire behavior. A wide range of fire behavior is also discussed in terms of the environmental factors that support or suppress fire ignition and spread. As part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course, this module is meant to introduce forecasters to science of fire behavior.
13 March 2008
This is the Spanish translation of the Polar Satellite Products for the Operational Forecaster: Microwave Analysis of Tropical Cyclones module which introduces forecasters to the use of microwave image products for observing and analyzing tropical cyclones. Microwave data from polar-orbiting satellites is crucial to today¿s operational forecasters, and particularly for those with maritime forecasting responsibilities where in situ observations are sparse. This module includes information on storm structure and techniques for improved storm positioning using the 37 and 85-91 GHz channels from several satellite sensors. Information on current sensors and on the product availability in the NPOESS era is also presented.
6 March 2008
Potencial de precipitación tropical (TraP) operativo derivado por satélite
The COMET Program and the Integrated Program Office are pleased to announce the Spanish translation of The Operational Tropical Rainfall Potential (TRaP) module. This module, developed by Sheldon Kusselson (Satellite Analysis Branch, NESDIS), traces the development of the present TRaP product and shows numerous examples from recent hurricane seasons comparing model precipitation forecast amounts, TRaP estimated rainfall amounts, and observed rainfall. Guidelines for using the TRaP product and future improvements are presented at the conclusion of the module.
25 February 2008
New MetEd Search Capability
MetEd has recently been upgraded to include new and enhanced Search functionality. After entering your search keywords in the search field of the MetEd banner, you are provided two forms of results. The “Module Results” lists all training and education modules and Webcasts that match your keywords, while the “Site-wide Results” includes, in addition, all Web pages, presentations, and other resources available on the site.
22 February 2008
Weather and the Built Environment
This short course provides broadcast meteorologists, educators, and the public with an overview of the evolution of our modern urban environment with a focus on impacts on the urban watershed, air quality, and climate. This course complements the course Watersheds: Connecting Weather to the Environment and both are part of the Earth Gauge¿ environmental curriculum for weathercasters and educators. This curriculum is being developed by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) [see http://www.earthgauge.net/wp/]
Unit 1, Where We Live, takes a look at past and current U.S. growth patterns and the way our urban areas have evolved from compact population centers to automobile-dependent sprawl. Unit 2, Impacts on the Watershed, explores how the built environment affects the water that moves through an urban watershed. Unit 3, Impacts on the Atmosphere, highlights the way our urban landscape and industrial activities impact the air we breathe and the local climate. Each unit includes information on ways to reduce our impact on our water and air with ideas ranging from simple changes in our commuting and housekeeping habits to changes in how we build houses and roads.
Archive
To find previous module announcements, check out the What's New Archive.
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