MTEOR 417/517 WEEKLY SUPPORTING MATERIAL

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Bill Gallus, 3025 Agronomy Bldg

Objective: This course is designed to hone the forecasting skills developed in previous synoptic labs, and expose students to mesoscale analysis and forecasting. Although the first few classes will explore mesoscale aspects of winter storms, the majority of the course will explore convective storms and the forecasting of small-scale severe weather. After completion of this course, students should be able to explain in a physically meaningful and consistent way both the synoptic-scale and mesoscale features of any weather situation.

Class Meetings: T (2-3:30 lecture), R (2:30-4:30 lab), MW (4-4:30 wx disc), R (2-2:30 wx disc)

  • Awesome overview of forecasting tips

  • Week 1: Forecasting of heavy snowfall
  • Week 2: Cold Air Damming and Lake Effect
  • Week 3: CSI and high-amplitude internal gravity waves
  • Week 4: Forecast Verification Measures, Basic thunderstorm structure and boundaries
  • Week 5: Mesoscale Analysis
  • Week 6: Sounding and stability Analyses
  • Week 7: Wind shear analysis, hodographs, storm-relative helicity
  • Week 8: Storm type and structure
  • Week 9: Synoptic conditions favorable for severe weather (SPC lab)
  • Week 10: Use of weather radar for severe weather forecasting/warning
  • Week 11: Tornadogenesis/warnings (storm chase lab)
  • Week 12: Mesoscale convective systems
  • Week 13: Flash flood forecasting

    Grading: Weekly Lab Exercises (40%), Midterm (23%), Final Exam (27%), Forecasting quizzes/contest/weather briefings (10%)