WMO Global Campus Collection of Learning Resources

Description

Basic Satellite Course Introduction

The course aims to give an overview on the basics of satellite meteorology: image analysis i.e. the interpretation of patterns in satellite images that are related to various meteorological phenomena. During the course you will read, watch and answer questions about various surface features like vegetated ares, urban areas, difference between sea and land, you will identify cloud types and analyze their characteristics and you will learn to interpret atmospheric phenomena, like for example: dust storms, smoke and fires from satellite data.

The course is asynchronous, which means that you can take it at your own pace as all the lectures are pre-prepared. Quizzes are made for youto check your level of understanding.

This module - Evaluate basic NWP output fields using satellite data and model output

Meteorologists rely on numerical weather prediction models when preparing their forecasts. Forecasts always incorporate a certain amount of uncertainty due to missing or inexact data at the model initiation time. The degree of uncertainty increases generally with increasing forecast length. There are many ways to assess this uncertainty (e.g., ensemble models, model inter-comparision, comparing different model runs, ...). In this module, we will compare model output fields with satellite data, i.e., we compare the latest model runs with timely coincident satellite observations. There might be only small differences in the comparison between simulation and observation but they can help the forecasters in assessing the quality of the model output. This module presents some of the satellite data and products that can be used for assessing the model output and shows application examples.

Expected Learning Outcomes

After finishing this module you will be able to use satellite data to verify the accuracy of your latest model run for very specific applications such as the position of frontal systems, the predicted onset of convection, the expansion of low cloud cover and direction and intensity of near surface winds.

Target Audience

The primary audience for the training are forecasters in shifts who have access to different satellite (and model) products, though limited time or knowledge because of their schedule and the lack of training. Secondary audience are any other meteorologists and geoscientists that are working with satellite data in training, research, etc.