MSC-COMET NWP Applications Course

The COMET Program will be hosting a facilitated online NWP applications course in Fall of 2022. The course will span 3 months and focus on moving from the theory behind Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) to its applications in the forecast process. The course will allow students to explore how different model constructions and schemes can manifest in the forecast, and how to interpret the resulting forecast output. The course will explore both Deterministic Prediction Systems (DPS) and Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS) and discuss how they can be used at all time scales in the forecast. Topics Covered:
1) Meet your Models: Which NWP Models are available, how they differ, and how they can be used effectively in weather forecasting
2) Understanding and identifying the differences between the components of the model including different model resolutions, cumulus parameterization, and microphysical parameterization
3) Understanding post-processed products in EPS and DPS
4) Applying different statistical approaches from DPS and EPS model output
5) Effectively communicating the envelope of model possibilities to different clients.
Please note that the course uses predominantly midlatitude examples and case studies throughout the topics.
Format and Schedule: This fully-online course will feature a combination of synchronous sessions, asynchronous work including group forum discussions and homework assignments, and a long-term project. Recommended prerequisite materials, consisting of several lessons on the MetEd website, will be provided a few weeks before the start date. Six synchronous sessions will be conducted every two weeks over the 3-month course period. Most synchronous sessions will consist of a 2-hour working group with peers and a facilitator, as well as an associated 2-hour webinar with instructors. To accommodate participants in different time zones, some working groups will meet before the webinar and some after the webinar. Each 2-week period will contain approximately 4-8 hours of complementary asynchronous work which includes assigned analysis of products and forecast tasks, forum posts, and reflection. Some work will be part of a long-term project that allows students to track model performance, apply concepts learned, and document related decisions on the forecast desk.
*First Session: Thursday Sept. 22, 2022
Working Group 1 – 15 UTC to 17 UTC
Webinar – 18 UTC to 20 UTC
Working Group 2 – 21 UTC to 23 UTC.
*Second Session: Thursday Oct. 6, 2022
Working Group 1 – 15 UTC to 17 UTC
Webinar – 18 UTC to 20 UTC
Working Group 2 – 21 UTC to 23 UTC.
*Third Session: Thursday Oct. 20, 2022
Working Group 1 – 16 UTC to 19 UTC
Working Group 2 – 20 UTC to 23 UTC.
*Fourth Session: Thursday Nov. 1, 2022
Working Group 1 – 15 UTC to 17 UTC
Webinar – 18 UTC to 20 UTC
Working Group 2 – 21 UTC to 23 UTC.
*Fifth Session: Thursday Nov. 17, 2022
Working Group 1 – 16 UTC to 19 UTC
Working Group 2 – 20 UTC to 23 UTC.
*Sixth Session: Thursday Dec. 1, 2022
Working Group 1 – 15 UTC to 17 UTC
Webinar – 18 UTC to 20 UTC
Working Group 2 – 21 UTC to 23 UTC.
Application instruction: To be added to the prospective list, please Email Mr Bryan Guarente at guarente@ucar.edu