Basic Weather Forecasting Course

Lesson 1 • Solar Radiation and Energy Balance

Explains how solar radiation enters, reflects, and is absorbed by the atmosphere. Links energy imbalance to temperature gradients that drive wind and weather.

Lesson 2 • Heat Transfer Mechanisms

Covers conduction, convection, and radiation as pathways for atmospheric heat transfer. Connects each mechanism to observable surface and cloud phenomena.

Lesson 3 • Temperature, Pressure, and Density

Defines the relationships among temperature, pressure, and air density using the ideal gas law. Provides the physical basis for understanding vertical and horizontal air motion.

Lesson 1 • Forces Acting on Moving Air

Introduces pressure gradient force, Coriolis effect, friction, and centripetal acceleration. Shows how each force modifies wind speed and direction.

Lesson 2 • Geostrophic and Gradient Wind

Defines geostrophic balance and gradient wind as idealized upper-level flow models. Connects these models to real isobar patterns on weather maps.

Lesson 3 • Surface Wind and Boundary Layer

Examines how friction and turbulence modify wind near the surface. Prepares students to interpret surface observations and wind roses.

Lesson 4 • Local and Mesoscale Wind Systems

Covers thermally driven local winds and terrain-induced flows. Enables identification of sea breezes, mountain winds, and gap flows in field settings.

Lesson 1 • Cloud Classification and Identification

Applies the international cloud classification system across all altitude levels. Enables accurate cloud reporting and weather-type diagnosis in operational settings.

Lesson 2 • Cloud Formation and Microphysics

Describes nucleation, droplet growth, and ice crystal processes that form clouds. Connects microphysics to precipitation efficiency and cloud appearance.

Lesson 3 • Atmospheric Moisture Fundamentals

Defines humidity variables including mixing ratio, relative humidity, and dew point. Establishes moisture measurement as the foundation for cloud and precipitation analysis.

Lesson 4 • Lifting Mechanisms and Adiabatic Processes

Explains dry and moist adiabatic lapse rates and the four main lifting mechanisms. Links lifting type to cloud base height and vertical extent.

Lesson 1 • Hail Formation and Severe Precipitation

Details hail growth in strong updrafts and the conditions favoring large hail. Links updraft speed, liquid water content, and hail size for operational forecasting.

Lesson 2 • Precipitation Formation Pathways

Contrasts warm-rain and cold-rain processes and their efficiency differences. Grounds students in the microphysical origins of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation.

Lesson 3 • Snow, Sleet, and Ice Pellets

Explains the atmospheric profiles that produce snow, sleet, and ice pellets. Connects crystal habit to temperature and humidity conditions aloft.

Lesson 1 • Frontal Types and Weather Signatures

Describes cold, warm, stationary, and occluded fronts with associated cloud and precipitation sequences. Enables students to read frontal symbols and anticipate weather changes.

Lesson 2 • Anticyclones and High-Pressure Systems

Analyzes anticyclone structure, subsidence, and associated fair-weather patterns. Contrasts blocking highs with mobile anticyclones and their forecast implications.

Lesson 3 • Air Masses and Their Origins

Classifies air masses by source region, temperature, and moisture content. Establishes air mass properties as the building blocks of frontal analysis.

Lesson 4 • Synoptic Map Analysis Techniques

Applies surface and upper-level map analysis to identify and track weather systems. Integrates frontal, pressure, and wind data into a coherent synoptic picture.

Lesson 1 • Surface Observation Networks

Covers automated and manual surface station instruments and siting standards. Establishes observation quality as the foundation for all weather analysis and forecasting.

Lesson 2 • Satellite Imagery Interpretation

Distinguishes visible, infrared, and water vapor satellite channels and their applications. Develops the ability to track cloud systems and identify moisture patterns.

Lesson 3 • Upper-Air Sounding Systems

Explains radiosonde balloon systems and the vertical profiles they produce. Connects sounding data to stability analysis and model initialization.

Lesson 4 • Observation Quality Control and Reporting

Applies quality-control checks to raw observations and formats standard weather reports. Ensures data integrity for downstream analysis and model assimilation.

Lesson 1 • Convective Outlook and Hazard Communication

Introduces convective outlook products, risk categories, and public communication strategies. Bridges technical analysis to actionable severe weather messaging.

Lesson 2 • Damaging Wind and Hail Threats

Identifies storm-scale processes producing damaging straight-line winds and large hail. Links environmental parameters to wind and hail potential for operational use.

Lesson 3 • Thunderstorm Structure and Life Cycle

Describes single-cell, multi-cell, and supercell thunderstorm structures and their life stages. Connects storm organization to hazard type and duration.

Lesson 4 • Tornado Formation and Detection

Explains the processes linking supercell rotation to tornado genesis and intensification. Prepares students to interpret radar signatures associated with tornado threats.

Lesson 1 • Forecast Methodology and Decision Making

Presents a structured forecast process from data gathering through product issuance. Develops systematic thinking to reduce cognitive bias in weather decisions.

Lesson 2 • Numerical Weather Prediction Basics

Explains how numerical models discretize the atmosphere and generate forecast guidance. Positions model output as one input among several in the forecasting process.

Lesson 3 • Weather Service Products and Delivery

Surveys the range of public, aviation, marine, and specialized weather service products. Prepares students to select and tailor products for specific user needs.

Lesson 4 • Forecast Verification and Skill Assessment

Introduces standard verification metrics and their use in evaluating forecast quality. Connects verification results to continuous improvement of forecasting practice.