Training for Radar and Forecasting Question

[Nathan Parker]

There’s a wealth a weather data available in GRLevel3/GR2Analyst, GREarth/GRModel, RadarScope, and AllisonHouse. Since I’m not a meteorologist, sometimes I get a little overwhelmed (in a good way) at the riches of data available, but sometimes I also feel like a “dummy” when it comes to getting the most out of the riches of data.

Are there some websites, videos, free online courses I can take that would allow me to bulk up on my training on using weather radar and forecasting weather data so I can better utilize the riches of data out there?

Here are some areas I’m especially weak in:

Radar: NROT, SW, All the Dual-Pol Products, ET, POSH, MEHS, VIL/VILD, DOD, DSD, VWP
GR2Analyst v3 Features: Max Trail Value (I read the manual and I’m still struggling with it), getting the most out of the new User Defined Products feature
GRE: All of the Mesoanalysis data sets (I believe I understand some of them but not near enough, a general course on it would be great), HSR, MEHS, ROT, QPE
GRModel: Most of the models in there (I understand a couple of them, but I wouldn’t know how to utilize most of them, a general course on weather forecast models would be great)
RadarScope: Precip Depiction

Some things I’d like to be able to accomplish:

1. Utilize the best radar products for tracking potential flooding, wind shear, hail, as well as the path of wind shear and hail
2. If there are products I can utilize to track fog conditions, that would be useful
3. Use weather forecast models to track future temperatures, rainfall accumulations, wintry precip accumulations (snow, ice, etc), a general future radar model, and if possible, a future cloud cover model

Thanks!

 

[JamesCaruso]

I want to learn... but don't know where to start.

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[Randy Jennings]

For radar products, the RadarScope in app help has links to pages that explain what each product is and how to use it. Their website has some good info too: Guide – RadarScope – Professional Weather Radar

 

[Mark Gressman Jr]

My understanding of Radarscope's Precip Depiction is that it's an in-house algorithmic product that shows precip type and rate.

I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to understanding and using all this info. It's taking me a lot longer than expected to wrap my head around all this stuff, but I'm getting there a little at a time. This forum has been a huge help though, so thank you to all the members who take their time to share your knowledge!

 

[Nathan Parker]

Great links. Thanks for sharing! I just need to really dedicate some time to learn all this stuff. Glad for these forums!

 

[Mike Smith]

Please make sure you start with the basics of radar and then the basics of tornado detection using radar. There is still a great deal to be gained from using hook echoes and "right movers" in the tornado detection process.

 

[Nathan Parker]

Good info!

 

[Nathan Parker]

Two pieces of training I’m trying to wrap my head around short-term are CAPE and Helicity in the forecast models.