Weather Briefings Wisconsin Balloon Group March 11, 2006 Brad Temeyer

Goals of Presentation Show you various formats a forecast can be displayed Show you various formats a forecast can be displayed Show you some of the tools meteorologists or FAA flight briefers use in preparing a briefing Show you some of the tools meteorologists or FAA flight briefers use in preparing a briefing Teach you how to identify a rapidly changing atmosphere Teach you how to identify a rapidly changing atmosphere Photo courtesy of Tesa Heid

Grid Forecasts Allows for more precise “point” forecasts Allows for more precise “point” forecasts Separate grids for: Separate grids for: Temp (Max, Min, Hourly) Temp (Max, Min, Hourly) Dew point Dew point Wind (direction and speed) Wind (direction and speed) Weather conditions Weather conditions Sky Cover Sky Cover Precipitation Probability Precipitation Probability QPF QPF Can be broken down into smaller time increments than “today” and “tonight” Can be broken down into smaller time increments than “today” and “tonight”

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Tabular Forecast

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Activity Planner

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Surface Observations Temperature (F)- upper left hand corner Temperature (F)- upper left hand corner Weather symbol- center left hand site Weather symbol- center left hand site Dew point (F) – lower left hand corner Dew point (F) – lower left hand corner Cloud cover – center circle Cloud cover – center circle Wind direction and speed- barb extending from circle Wind direction and speed- barb extending from circle Atmospheric pressure (SL to nearest tenth of millibar)- upper right hand corner Atmospheric pressure (SL to nearest tenth of millibar)- upper right hand corner METAR KMSN Z AUTO 13014KT 4SM BR BKN015 18/14 A2961 RMK AO2 SLP027 T

Observations L H

Satellites and Radar

Satellites-Visible Imagery Visible-measures reflected solar energy Visible-measures reflected solar energy Works just like a camera-worthless at night Works just like a camera-worthless at night Brightest clouds indicate high concentrations of particles (e.g. ice and water vapor) Brightest clouds indicate high concentrations of particles (e.g. ice and water vapor)

Satellite-Infrared Imagery Infrared-measure cloud top temperature Infrared-measure cloud top temperature Enhances coldest temperatures Enhances coldest temperatures Only measure highest clouds in a layer Only measure highest clouds in a layer

Satellite-Water Vapor Water Vapor-displays amount of water vapor in atmosphere Water Vapor-displays amount of water vapor in atmosphere Aid in identifying upper level disturbances in atmosphere Aid in identifying upper level disturbances in atmosphere

VAD Wind Profiler

Wind Profilers

Atmospheric Soundings

ACARS

BUFKIT

Model Plots

TAFs TAF- Terminal aerodrome forecast TAF- Terminal aerodrome forecast Issued for a five mile radius area surrounding the airport Issued for a five mile radius area surrounding the airport Surface wind (direction, speed, gusts) Surface wind (direction, speed, gusts) Visibility Visibility Weather (if needed) Weather (if needed) Obstruction to visibility (if needed) Obstruction to visibility (if needed) Sky cover, cloud heights Sky cover, cloud heights Non-convective low level wind shear Non-convective low level wind shear Can give you a ballpark idea of what to expect Can give you a ballpark idea of what to expect

Cloud Clues

Cirrus ft+ agl ft+ agl Cause halos around sun or moon Cause halos around sun or moon Can signify approach of a disturbance Can signify approach of a disturbance Appears bright on infrared satellite, dull on visible Appears bright on infrared satellite, dull on visible

Altocumulus ~15,000 ft agl ~15,000 ft agl Indicate unstable atmosphere aloft Indicate unstable atmosphere aloft Can be a precursor to thunderstorm development when viewed early in the day Can be a precursor to thunderstorm development when viewed early in the day

Stratocumulus Develop 5,000 to 8,000 ft agl Develop 5,000 to 8,000 ft agl Little vertical development Little vertical development Form typically at the top of mixed layer near surface Form typically at the top of mixed layer near surface No significant weather expected unless become widespread and dense No significant weather expected unless become widespread and dense

Towering Cumulus Cloud bases typically occur around 5,000- 8,000 ft agl Cloud bases typically occur around 5,000- 8,000 ft agl Signify a relatively deep unstable layer developing updraft- thunderstorm potential Signify a relatively deep unstable layer developing updraft- thunderstorm potential If cloud collapses, could produce outflow If cloud collapses, could produce outflow

Cumulonimbus Thunderstorm Clouds Thunderstorm Clouds All severe weather types are possible All severe weather types are possible Good idea to keep feet on the ground Good idea to keep feet on the ground

Downdrafts Rain falls into dry layer near surface and evaporates Rain falls into dry layer near surface and evaporates Evaporated rain, i.e. Virga can enhance downdrafts Evaporated rain, i.e. Virga can enhance downdrafts Outflow boundaries Outflow boundaries Outflow from thunderstorms can travel 50+ miles away from a thunderstorm, causing sudden wind shear Outflow from thunderstorms can travel 50+ miles away from a thunderstorm, causing sudden wind shear

Mammatus Pouch like clouds Pouch like clouds Indicate severe turbulence and wind shear Indicate severe turbulence and wind shear

Thanks for inviting me! Questions?