1. Getting in Touch (prep for Tuesday’s Class)
Meteo 415 – Fall 2009

2. The Tuesday Issue
The challenge of hitting the ground at a full speed is primarily one of discipline –
Experienced forecasters develop a ‘routine’ that quickly gets them in touch with the current weather pattern
While the methods vary, there are some common elements -

3. Spinning up
Snellman Funnel

4. Spinning up Either Satellite Loop or Upper Air Pattern

5. Spinning up Review Temperature and Precipitation for last 3 days

6. Spinning up
Review Regional Surface Weather Map and estimate what the accompanying satellite picture should look like:

7. Spinning up
Consider what features are unexpected and ponder what this may mean for the short range forecasts…

8. Spinning Up
After a regional review – zoom back out and mentally make a forecast of where the disturbances should move to…

9. Spinning Up
Review the special weather statements, storm reports and records from the NWS offices
Review NWS special weather statements and records for past few days…
RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
900 PM EDT TUE AUG
...MAXIMUM DAILY RAINFALL RECORD FOR AUGUST 4TH...
AT THE INDIANAPOLIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TOTAL RAINFALL
TODAY WAS 3.81 INCHES...WHICH IS A RECORD FOR THIS DATE.
THE PREVIOUS RECORD 1.52 INCHES SET IN 1903.
THIS RAINFALL TOTAL IS ALSO THE SECOND LARGEST FOR ANY
DAY IN AUGUST AT INDIANAPOLIS. THE RECORD FOR THE MOST
RAIN TO FALL ON ANY AUGUST DAY AT INDIANAPOLIS IS 4.46
INCHES WHICH OCCURRED ON AUGUST
AT INDIANAPOLIS RAINFALL RECORDS BEGAN IN 1871.

10. Tackling the Tues Fcst Challenge
Before reviewing the new guidance-
Follow the flow pattern
Recall where important features are located
Look for surprises on the satellite imagery
Assess the amplitude of the pattern
Estimate where disturbances should go
Review previous guidance – for dM/dT
Then look at the myriad of forecasts