Learning to forecast

[Maggie Kahman]

I need help learning how to forecast, or just learning how to read the GFS or the NAM or other maps like that. I need to start from the very beginning, im talkin' like kindergarten here. I wanna start slow. I feel kinda left out, not being able to contribute to the Target Area. Is there any way somebody could give me advice, tips or hints? I would very much appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[Skip Talbot]

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/

Also search the threads here as there are a few similar posts with other links.

 

[Jared Farrer]

I would start by getting a book, something like USA todays weather book. It starts out by teaching you all the basics then you can move on to somewhat more technical stuff like Tim Vasquez's book (Weather Forcasting handbook). Then you will have a decent feel for models and observations!

-Jared

 

[Keith Mullen]

Learning curve

Haby's hints are very helpful and informative - but much in the way of a dictionary for the most part.

You can read lots of reference material, but as an example: You can read reference on what a giraffe looks like & how it runs across the wilds of Africa... ... but text print probably won't prepare you for your first time seeing one doing so (if you've never seen one before).

Tim Vasquez has very good reading material - can be fairly technical, but I find it to be very clear and concise. I highly recommend it.

Hollingshead - Storm Structure 101 is a very fun and educational video. Even if you already know it, I believe it to be a must have in your library.

...and surf, surf, surf the web.

There's a LOT of information out there - but even after years of weathergeekiness on my part - I believe I hardly know squat when it comes to putting ALL the pieces together and really making anything that one may consider analysis or a forecast.

I used to have my own reference page of links to good "go-to" sites, but since I lost my last pc, I have lost all that information.

It's good to have your own saved document with the links directly on it to simply point and click your way back again.

Good luck! (and if you find more good links, send em my way. heh heh)

 

[nickgrillo]

I second Tim Vasquez's "Weather Forecasting Handbook" in addition to Haby's Hints. Mike H's "Storm Structure 101" DVD is also a good place to start. You'll find yourself having to read materials over and over again before you really get to learn anything, but you'll begin to understand the atmosphere and its processes over time as long as you maintain a desire to keep learning.

 

[Jason Boggs]

If I were you, I would skip the models right now. Learn how to read radar signatures, satellite images and surface maps. Also learn the basics and concepts of fronts and other boundaries. Once you get hold of that, then step it up to other elements of forecasting.

Remember, you have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk.