Weather BriefingsWeather Briefings

Wisconsin Balloon GroupWisconsin Balloon GroupMarch 11, 2006March 11, 2006Brad TemeyerBrad Temeyer

Brad.Temeyer@noaa.govBrad.Temeyer@noaa.gov

Goals of PresentationGoals of Presentation

Show you various Show you various formats a forecast can formats a forecast can be displayedbe displayed

Show you some of the Show you some of the tools meteorologists or tools meteorologists or FAA flight briefers use FAA flight briefers use in preparing a briefingin preparing a briefing

Teach you how to Teach you how to identify a rapidly identify a rapidly changing atmosphere changing atmosphere

Photo courtesy of Tesa Heid

http://www.weather.gov

http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors

Grid ForecastsGrid Forecasts Allows for more precise Allows for more precise

“point” forecasts“point” forecasts Separate grids for:Separate grids for:

Temp (Max, Min, Hourly)Temp (Max, Min, Hourly) Dew pointDew point Wind (direction and speed)Wind (direction and speed) Weather conditionsWeather conditions Sky CoverSky Cover Precipitation ProbabilityPrecipitation Probability QPFQPF

Can be broken down into Can be broken down into smaller time increments smaller time increments than “today” and “tonight”than “today” and “tonight”

http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/index.php

http://www.weather.gov

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx or http://www.weather.gov

Tabular ForecastTabular Forecast

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/fsd or http://www.weather.gov

Activity PlannerActivity Planner

Activity PlannerActivity Planner

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx or http://www.weather.gov

Surface ObservationsSurface Observations Temperature (F)- upper Temperature (F)- upper

left hand cornerleft hand corner Weather symbol- center Weather symbol- center

left hand siteleft hand site Dew point (F) – lower left Dew point (F) – lower left

hand cornerhand corner Cloud cover – center Cloud cover – center

circlecircle Wind direction and speed- Wind direction and speed-

barb extending from circlebarb extending from circle Atmospheric pressure (SL Atmospheric pressure (SL

to nearest tenth of to nearest tenth of millibar)- upper right hand millibar)- upper right hand cornercorner

METAR KMSN 111453Z AUTO 13014KT 4SM BR BKN015 18/14 A2961 RMK AO2 SLP027 T01780144

Observations Observations L H

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/surface

Satellites and RadarSatellites and Radar

Satellites-Visible ImagerySatellites-Visible Imagery

Visible-measures Visible-measures reflected solar energyreflected solar energy Works just like a Works just like a

camera-worthless at camera-worthless at nightnight

Brightest clouds Brightest clouds indicate high indicate high concentrations of concentrations of particles (e.g. ice and particles (e.g. ice and water vapor)water vapor)

Satellite-Infrared ImagerySatellite-Infrared Imagery

Infrared-measure Infrared-measure cloud top cloud top temperaturetemperature

Enhances coldest Enhances coldest temperaturestemperatures

Only measure Only measure highest clouds in a highest clouds in a layerlayer

Satellite-Water VaporSatellite-Water Vapor Water Vapor-displays Water Vapor-displays

amount of water vapor amount of water vapor in atmospherein atmosphere

Aid in identifying upper Aid in identifying upper level disturbances in level disturbances in atmosphereatmosphere

VAD Wind ProfilerVAD Wind Profiler

Wind ProfilersWind Profilers

Atmospheric SoundingsAtmospheric Soundings

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/upper

ACARSACARS

BUFKITBUFKIT

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/buf/bufkit/bufkit.html

Model PlotsModel Plots

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/models

TAFsTAFs TAF- Terminal aerodrome TAF- Terminal aerodrome

forecastforecast Issued for a five mile radius Issued for a five mile radius

area surrounding the airportarea surrounding the airport Surface wind (direction, Surface wind (direction,

speed, gusts)speed, gusts) VisibilityVisibility Weather (if needed)Weather (if needed) Obstruction to visibility (if Obstruction to visibility (if

needed)needed) Sky cover, cloud heightsSky cover, cloud heights Non-convective low level wind Non-convective low level wind

shear shear Can give you a ballpark idea of Can give you a ballpark idea of

what to expectwhat to expect

Cloud CluesCloud Clues

CirrusCirrus 20000 ft+ agl20000 ft+ agl Cause halos around sun or moonCause halos around sun or moon Can signify approach of a Can signify approach of a

disturbancedisturbance Appears bright on infrared satellite, Appears bright on infrared satellite,

dull on visibledull on visible

AltocumulusAltocumulus

~15,000 ft agl~15,000 ft agl Indicate unstable Indicate unstable

atmosphere aloftatmosphere aloft Can be a precursor to Can be a precursor to

thunderstorm thunderstorm development when development when viewed early in the viewed early in the dayday

StratocumulusStratocumulus

Develop 5,000 to 8,000 ft Develop 5,000 to 8,000 ft aglagl

Little vertical Little vertical developmentdevelopment

Form typically at the top Form typically at the top of mixed layer near of mixed layer near surfacesurface

No significant weather No significant weather expected unless become expected unless become widespread and densewidespread and dense

Towering CumulusTowering Cumulus

Cloud bases typically Cloud bases typically occur around 5,000-occur around 5,000-8,000 ft agl8,000 ft agl

Signify a relatively Signify a relatively deep unstable layer deep unstable layer developing updraft-developing updraft-thunderstorm potentialthunderstorm potential

If cloud collapses, If cloud collapses, could produce outflowcould produce outflow

CumulonimbusCumulonimbus

Thunderstorm CloudsThunderstorm Clouds All severe weather All severe weather

types are possibletypes are possible Good idea to keep Good idea to keep

feet on the groundfeet on the ground

DowndraftsDowndrafts

Rain falls into dry layer Rain falls into dry layer near surface and near surface and evaporatesevaporates Evaporated rain, i.e. Virga Evaporated rain, i.e. Virga

can enhance downdraftscan enhance downdrafts

Outflow boundariesOutflow boundaries Outflow from Outflow from

thunderstorms can travel thunderstorms can travel 50+ miles away from a 50+ miles away from a thunderstorm, causing thunderstorm, causing sudden wind shearsudden wind shear

MammatusMammatus

Pouch like clouds Pouch like clouds Indicate severe Indicate severe

turbulence and wind turbulence and wind shearshear

Thanks for inviting me! Questions?Thanks for inviting me! Questions?