Weather 101 Workshop

All sessions will also include a real-time forecast discussion, directly applying topics learned in the workshop to prognosticate the current weather!

Session I: “Introduction to Meteorology” Wednesday, February 21st

A. Basic Concepts in Meteorology a. Weather Forecasting i. Computer Forecast Models ii. Forecasting Language iii. Forecast Interpretation b. Station Plots i. Decoding Station Plots ii. Activity: Interpreting Station Plots! c. Scales of Atmospheric Motion d. Examining Isobaric Levels in Meteorology B. Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology a. Examining the Atmosphere as a Fluid i. Atmospheric Forces ii. Atmospheric Flow b. Atmospheric Features i. Air Masses ii. Jet Stream c. Atmospheric Motions i. Convergence & Divergence of Air ii. Upward Vertical Velocity d. Synoptic Diagnosis of the Atmosphere i. The Jet Stream & Upper Level Diagnosis ii. Vorticity & Mid-Level Diagnosis

Session II: “Synoptic & Mesoscale Meteorology” Friday, February 23rd

A. Synoptic Meteorology a. Baroclinic vs. Barotropic Atmospherics b. Fronts & Frontogenesis i. Cold Fronts ii. Warm Fronts iii. Occluded & Stationary Fronts iv. Activity: Find Fronts on a Weather Map! c. Synoptic Diagnosis of the Atmosphere cont’d i. Fronts & Lower-Level Diagnosis d. Cyclones & Anticyclones i. Anticyclones ii. Cyclones & Cyclogenesis iii. Bombogenesis iv. Integration of Upper and Lower Level Features e. Isoplething i. Weather Map Analysis ii. Activity: Isoplething! B. Introduction to Mesoscale Meteorology a. Phase Changes & Latent Heat b. Parcel Theory i. Adiabatic Lapse Rates ii. Buoyancy c. Atmospheric Stability i. Temperature Indices ii. Lifted Condensation Level (LCL) d. SkewT-Log P Diagrams i. Deconstructing the Diagram ii. Soundings & Radiosondes iii. Using SkewT Diagrams e. Activity: Examining a SkewT Diagram!

Session III: “Lift, Clouds & Precipitation” Wednesday, March 7th

A. Mesoscale Meteorology a. SkewT Refresher b. Lift & Lifting Mechanisms i. Orographic Lift ii. Frontal Lift iii. Convergent Lift iv. Localized Convective Lift c. Cloud Identification & Prognosis i. High Level Clouds ii. Mid Level Clouds iii. Low Level Clouds iv. Significant Clouds v. Mountain Clouds d. Activity: Interpreting Clouds! e. Planetary Boundary Layer B. Precipitation Type Forecasting a. Partial Thickness Method b. Top-Down Precipitation Forecasting i. Dendritic Growth Zone ii. Warm Layer Aloft iii. Precipitation Soundings c. Processes that Can Change a Vertical Profile i. Adiabatic Processes ii. Diabatic Processes

Session IV: “Mountain Flows & Regional Weather Systems” Wednesday, March 21st

A. Heavy Snow Forecasting a. Mesoscale Banding b. Upslope Snow c. Upslope Snow & Lake Effect B. Mountain Flows a. Terrain-Forced Flows b. Flow Over & Around Mountains c. Obstruction of Air Masses d. Diurnal Mountain Winds C. Regional Weather Systems a. Nor’easters b. Alberta Clippers c. Thunderstorm Outbreaks d. Norlun Troughs e. Ice Storms f. Tropical Systems