Questions about Weather...

[Brad Dormer]

Being new, and more than likely the youngest one here at age 15, there are still some things that I don't exactly get when talking about severe weather. Some may be dumb questions, but bare with me because they are serious questions.

What are the best models to look at for predicting what could happen in the next 1-3 days and what is the best model site to look at? (I use pivotal weather personally)

Does taking Storm Spotter training automatically mean you are a certified storm spotter/chaser? (I've had people tell me this so I'm wondering)

What are streamlines?

What is best to look at when predicting a possibly destructive tornado/severe weather outbreak? (other than SigTor)

How exactly do I read a hodograph?

I'm sure I have more questions but I can't think of them right now and will add to the thread when I think of them again., thanks for your help!

 

[rdale]

Many of your weather-specific questions can be answered with training sessions at http://comet.ucar.edu

Then I'd also point you to http://stormtrack.org/community/threads/a-list-of-learning-resources.19343/

"Certified" is a strong word - if you go to the class you are considered a trained storm spotter.

 

[Brad Dormer]

Right now I only have access to my school laptop, which has most of those links blocked, and others are broken, which is why I asked here.

 

[Mark Blue]

Those are good resources Rob pointed you towards Brad. I'd also recommend Haby Hints and everything found here as a good starting point. I still refer to his website from time to time.

You'll have to save your money so you can get your own laptop or tablet. Blocked websites are for the birds...

 

[Randy Jennings]

Welcome to the group Brad. Here are my 2 cents:

What are the best models to look at for predicting what could happen in the next 1-3 days and what is the best model site to look at?
Models (and model web sites) are kind of like politics - ask 5 Stormtrack members this question and you will get at least 6 or 7 answers on the "best" model or website. They all have strengths and weaknesses and no one is universally better all the time. You have to know how the models work (for example is a given model convective allowing, what is the grid sizing, etc) and you have to watch them from run to run to see how they are handling the current systems. RAP, HRRR, and SREF are all often used for near term forecasting. I find the SREF Plumes on the the SPC web page very helpful in that is shows the individual results and the mean (and the mean across last 4 runs).

Does taking Storm Spotter training automatically mean you are a certified storm spotter/chaser? (I've had people tell me this so I'm wondering)
The NWS says that folks that attend spotter training are "trained spotters". Calling oneself "certified" will get an adverse reaction from a lot of folks. Each Skywarn program is ran by the WCM (Warning Coordination Meteorologist) at each WFO (Weather Forecast Office) and while there are probably some that use the term "certified" the vast majority would prefer you say "trained". Another word of warning about "spotter" vs "chaser". I'm proud to consider myself both, but be careful about using the terms interchangeably, as some folks have very strong thoughts on that subject (know your audience).

What are streamlines?
From http://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php : Arrows on a weather chart showing wind speed and direction. The head of the arrow points toward where the wind is blowing and the length of the arrow is proportional to the wind speed. Sometimes shows wind direction and trajectory only.

What is best to look at when predicting a possibly destructive tornado/severe weather outbreak? (other than SigTor)
Composite indexes such as SigTor have a place, but it is best to stick to the basics - moisture, instability, sheer, and lift. A good learning resource is: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/help/sfcoa.html. Composite indexes can easily mislead you if you are not careful.

How exactly do I read a hodograph?
http://www.weather.gov/media/lmk/soo/Hodographs_Wind-Shear.pdf provides a good intro to hodographs. I also suggest you read up on skew-T at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/upperair/upperair_intro.htm .

Hope this helps.

 

[Shane Eagan]

Some good suggestions. One more I'll throw out there is the tornado forecast series by Rich Thompson of the SPC and OU SCAMS. There are 8-9 YouTube videos beginning with general synoptic met, ultimately building toward a real-world forecasting example. Excellent resource.

YT link to the first class:

Spoiler: Class 1

Anything that might be confusing could be searched on www.theweatherprediction.com, another excellent resource.

Also, if you come across something you're not sure about, try searching for it on google with "site:.edu" appended to the search query. For example "thermal wind site:.edu". The site:.edu will return only .edu websites, many of which will be class notes made public by professors that can serve as an excellent resource.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Models I check regularly (all can be accessed from COD):

Within 24 hours (same day):
HRRR, 4KM WRF/NAM, RAP

24-36 hours (1 to 2 days out):
4KM NAM/WRF, NAM/WRF, GFS

36-84 hours (1 to 4 days out):
GFS, NAM/WRF, ECMWF

84+ hours (3 to 7/10 days)
GFS, ECMWF

 

[Shane Adams]

For trying to determine if strong/violent tornadoes (outbreak) might be possible, a few basic things to look for are high instability (CAPE) in conjunction with a strong low-level jet (850/925mb level). Many times one of the main components to strong/violent tornado formation is enhanced shear/instability in the lowest 1km.

 

[Brad Dormer]

Another question, is there such things as "internet cards" that you can insert into your laptop or phone and have internet everywhere? I tried storm spotting 2 weeks ago and lost internet when I crossed the river into Iowa.

 

[Devin Pitts]

Best bet for Internet on the road while chasing is a cell signal booster and then either tether internet from your cellphone or a wifi hotspot. Even with that set up there's always going to be dead zones though.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Stormtrack mobile app