Specialist Forecaster programme

Global meteorology course

This four-part course is designed for those who forecast worldwide, particularly for the aviation community

Aims

Each component of the course aims to identify situations when the characteristic weather systems of the region are expected to develop and intensify, helping forecasters develop a deeper understanding of the areas.

Course contents

Global Climatology

The Intertropical Convergence Zone and monsoons; polar, subtropical and tropical jets; easterly waves; tropical cyclones; diurnal storm developments in the tropics and the effects of El Niño on global weather.

Mediterranean

General meteorology including topographical influences on winds and weather and three specialist sections on Cyprus, Balkans and Gibraltar meteorology, including the importance of forecasting hazardous weather in these regions.

Middle East

Topographical influences; monsoon circulations and seasonal characteristics; major wind patterns; seasonal variations; Arabian Sea tropical cyclones; local weather characteristics in and around the Arabian Gulf, including Kareef and Shamal winds; sandstorm development; aviation forecasting problems and the limitations of NWP models.

Falklands/Ascension

Broad-scale climatology of Central and South America and specialist meteorology for Ascension Island, the Falkland Islands and the surrounding areas.

Outcome

This course builds skills and knowledge to enable students to:

• apply sound meteorological knowledge and understanding to the analysis, interpretation and prediction of the local weather systems in these regions;
• state when forecast events are likely to break records;
• relate observed weather to regional climatology.

Course details

The Global Climatology module lasts three days, and the other modules are two days each. Any part can be taken independently of the other, but it would be an advantage if the Global Climatology module was taken before any of the other parts.

Professional training course calendar