Course Description:

• Students work together to prepare 12-60 hr forecasts for three locations: Davis, the Pacific coast (SFO), and the mountains (TVL).
• Prior to the class meetings students gather the necessary maps, charts, and textual data.
• The past, current, and forecast information is reviewed.
• The previous forecast by the class is reviewed with the intent of identifying what (if anything) went wrong and why.
• The forecast products are then discussed by the group and everyone participates.
• The specific forecast values are decided upon by the group.
• The final product is typed up during the lab session and placed on a web page for all to see.

Course Procedures:

1. Students divide up the tasks and can work as teams (size depends on enrollment).
2. A web page containing the forecast information is prepared Tuesday and Thursday.
3. There will be two 1-hour discussions per week (on Tuesday & Thursday) in which oral presentations will be made. Everyone is required to attend these meetings. The meetings have the following approximate schedule:
   • Tuesday: verification of previous (Thursday) forecast (5-15 min.), quick look at current forecast model performance (5-10 min.), preparation of forecast for next 2 days (20-40 min).
   • Thursday: verification of previous (Tuesday) forecast including current model performance (10-15 min.), preparation of forecast for next 2 days with outlook for the weekend (20-40 min).
4. Various weather products are displayed and discussed as a group. Students have gathered the necessary products prior to the start of class. Verification, MOS, NWS text forecast data are written on the board prior to the start of class. One student displays the weather products. Another student takes notes (on the board) that summarize the points made during the map discussion. Finally, one or more students prepare the final text to accompany the forecast temperatures data and the final text is placed on the forecast web page during the lab period.
5. the tasks listed in #3 & 4 require that maps be loaded onto the chosen computer, or printouts be made PRIOR to the meeting of the class. The time in class is too short to wait for items to download over the internet. That means some preplanning is necessary, recognizing that variation in the weather that actually happens can change what items are needed. As for scheduling of outside activities, the items listed in #3 above have these timings:

It is easiest to obtain the products on the day they are issued. This includes observations as well as forecasts.

Some items are needed on more than one day. For example, as part of the review of our own forecasts we need to revisit what the guidance was that we used. Therefore, the maps should be placed in subdirectories under ATM 198, named by date. Also, the printed products should be retained as well. (for at least 1 week). A drawer in the map case has been reserved for this purpose.

Meetings:

Course meeting times & location:

• lecture: 3:30-4:30 pm T,Th; rm 124 Hoagland Hall
• lab: 4:30-5:00 pm T,Th; rm 124 Hoagland Hall

Miscellaneous:

• Access Dr. Grotjahn's weather links

Instructor:

Prof. R. Grotjahn

rm 173 Hoagland Hall, Phone: 752-2246, E-mail: grotjahn'at'ucdavis.edu