PCU 2: Continuously Assess and Forecast the Aviation Weather Environment

Description: Observations and forecasts of weather parameters and significant weather phenomena relevant to the mission of the meteorologist's office are continuously monitored to determine the need for issuance, cancellation, amendments, or updates of decision support information according to documented thresholds, regulations and operational impacts.

Length : 29 hours

Note :If the links provided below do not take you directly to the course in the CLC then once logged into the CLC paste the provided links into the URL bar and press Enter to proceed

Course Title: Low-level Coastal Jets Description: Low-level coastal jets occur along many coastlines. Winds may exceed 35 knots and lead to high waves and significant low-level vertical wind shear. Thus, low-level coastal jets present a hazard to both marine and aviation operations in the coastal zone. This core module describes the features of coastal jets and explores the conditions under which they form. Like other foundation modules in the Mesoscale Primer, this module starts with a forecast scenario and concludes with a concise summary and a final exam. By the end of this module, you should have sufficient background to diagnose and forecast coastal jets around the world and to use this knowledge to understand the implications for operational decisions. Length: 1 hour URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Mountain Waves and Downslope Winds Description: Mountain waves form above and downwind of topographic barriers and frequently pose a serious hazard to mountain aviation because of strong-to-extreme turbulence. This foundation module describes the features of mountain waves and explores the conditions under which they form. Like other foundation modules in the Mesoscale Primer, this module starts with a forecast scenario and concludes with a final exam. Rich graphics, audio narration, and frequent interactions enhance the presentation. Length: 2 Hours URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Thermally-forced Circulation I: Sea Breezes Description: This module describes the phenomena of the sea breeze. It examines factors that lead to the formation of a sea breeze, modifying effects on sea breeze development, how mesoscale NWP models handle sea breezes, and sea breeze forecast parameters. The module places instruction in the context of a sea breeze case from Florida and compares surface and satellite observations to a model simulation using the AFWA MM5. Like other modules in the Mesoscale Meteorology Primer, this module comes with audio narration, rich graphics, and a companion print version. Length: 1 Hour URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Thermally-forced Circulation II: Mountain/Valley Breezes Description: This is a foundation module in the Mesoscale Meteorology Primer series. Topics covered include up- and downslope breezes, up- and down-valley winds, associated hazards, and forecasting techniques. Like other modules in the Mesoscale Meteorology Primer, this module comes with audio narration, rich graphics, and a companion print version. Length: 0.5 Hour URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Gap Winds Description: This module provides a basic understanding of why gap winds occur, their typical structures, and how gap wind strength and extent are controlled by larger-scale, or synoptic, conditions. You will learn about a number of important gap flows in coastal regions around the world, with special attention given to comprehensively documented gap wind cases in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Columbia River Gorge. Basic techniques for evaluating and predicting gap flows are presented. The module reviews the capabilities and limitations of the current generation of mesoscale models in producing realistic gap winds. By the end of this module, you should have sufficient background to diagnose and forecast gap flows around the world, and to use this knowledge to understand their implications for operational decisions. Other features in this module include a concise summary for quick reference and a final exam to test your knowledge. Like other modules in the Mesoscale Meteorology Primer, this module comes with audio narration, rich graphics, and a companion print version. Length: 1.5 Hours URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Velocity Azimuth Display Wind Profile (VWP) Description: This lesson describes the characteristics, including applications and limitations, of the VWP product. Length: 10 Mins URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Writing TAFs for Convective Weather, 2nd Edition Description: "Writing TAFs for Convective Weather, 2nd Edition" uses a severe thunderstorm event to illustrate techniques for producing an effective Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) following current National Weather Service directives. The unit offers guidance for developing TAFs for different types of convection and discusses how to concisely communicate logic and uncertainty in an aviation forecast discussion (AvnFD) or by other means. It also addresses the importance of maintaining an effective TAF weather watch and updating the TAF proactively. Length: 3 Hours URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: SHyMet: Aviation Hazards Description: Aviation Hazards Part 1 focuses on the Structure of aviation forecasting and the statistics of the hazards with in-depth information on Wind, Turbulence and Icing. Part 2 covers Visibility, Ceilings and Convective Hazards. Part 3 describes Terrain and Aviation Weather and miscellaneous hazards. Length: 3 Hours URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Enroute Icing Description: Aircraft icing has resulted in numerous accidents, some fatal. The problem is due, in part, to a lack of awareness on the part of aviation forecasters (and others) that icing is imminent. The lesson addresses this issue by presenting a process for forecasting enroute icing for aviation and applying it to a case over the Continental U.S. The process involves gaining situational awareness of potential icing areas and making a first forecast of their locations and flight levels; comparing the first forecast to NWP forecasts; and adjusting as needed. To reach a wide audience and stay current, the process goes up to the point of issuing products and warnings. The lesson is aimed at aviation forecasters in the United States National Weather Service’s aviation facilities although international aviation forecasters should benefit from it as well. Length: 1.5 Hours URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Volcanic Ash: Introduction Description: Provides a concise introduction to volcanic ash through the examples of the Mt. Pinatubo and Eyjafjallajökull eruptions. This is the introduction to a four-part series on Volcanic Ash. Length: 0.5 Hours URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Volcanic Ash: Volcanism Description: This module is the second in the four-part Volcanic Ash series. It provides information about the geological, and geophysical processes related to volcanic activity and volcanic ash in the atmosphere and on the ground. It discusses four types of volcanic eruptions and describes six major volcanic hazards. Length: 1 Hour URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Volcanic Ash: Impacts to Aviation, Climate, Maritime Operations and Society Description: This module is the third in the four-part Volcanic Ash series. It provides information on the impacts of an explosive volcanic eruption to aviation, climate, maritime operations and society. The threats, or impacts, from an eruption vary depending on the eruption style, duration and proximity--both in distance and altitude--to the volcano. Length: 1 Hour URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Volcanic Ash: Observation Tools and Dispersion Models Description: This module is the fourth and final entry in the Volcanic Ash series. It covers the tools and techniques used for identifying and forecasting the transport of volcanic ash. Satellite and radar imagery are combined with observations and numerical model output to first identify the presence of volcanic ash and then to help forecast the transport of ash at various levels of the atmosphere. Length: 1 Hour URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Volcanoes and Volcanic Ash Part 1 Description: Part one of a two part set that describes and discusses Volcanoes and Volcanic Ash as hazards to people, aviation, and shows different methods of observation, analysis and modeling. Primary categories: 1) Volcano Types 2) Hazards on the Ground and in the Air 3) Ash/Aerosol Remote Sensing, Detection and Other Observations 4) Modeling and Plume Dispersion 5) Recent Examples and Hypothetical Eruptions Length: 2.5 Hours URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Volcanoes and Volcanic Ash Part 2 Description: Part two of a two part set that describes and discusses Volcanoes and Volcanic Ash as hazards to people, aviation, and shows different methods of observation, analysis and modeling. Primary categories: 1) Mt. Redoubt Volcano - 2009 2) The Key Players (Organizational Structure) 3) Goals (Past, Present, and Future) 4) The Flow of Information 5) Volcano Observatories and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers 6) Eyjafjallajokull Lessons Learned 7) Coming Soon Length: 1.5 Hours URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Forecasting clear air turbulence for Aviation Description: This case-based, interactive lesson teaches a process for forecasting clear air turbulence (CAT) and applies it to a case that occurred over the U.S. Information about the synoptic patterns that generate CAT and the products and indices used to identify it are woven into the case. Some of this information is presented in optional sections intended for those who are unfamiliar with the material or want a refresher. The lesson is aimed at national and international forecasters who make aviation forecasts. Length: 45 Mins URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Forecasting Mountain wave turbulence for Aviation Description: Turbulent flow that impacts aviation can be caused by several different factors and can occur at both low and high-levels in the atmosphere. This lesson focuses on forecasting mountain wave turbulence. Its methodology relies on the spatial and temporal distribution of winds, stability, and clouds to forecast and verify mountain wave turbulence. Analyzed forecast products include NWP charts, cross sections and soundings, satellite imagery, RAOBs, PIREPS, and graphical turbulence guidance (GTG). The lesson is targeted for aviation forecasters at the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS). The module briefly reviews background concepts, but largely relies on the COMET lesson Mountain Waves and Downslope Winds for prerequisite conceptual material. Length: 45 Mins URL/location: https://doc.csod.com Course Title: Space Weather Impacts on Aviation Description: Space Weather Impacts on Aviation examines the effects of solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other solar phenomena on aviation operations. The module builds on background science knowledge taught in the course prerequisite, Space Weather Basics, 2nd Edition. The content gives aviation forecasters and others an overview of the information and products available from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center and provides practice interpreting and using those products for decision support during space weather events. Length: 2 Hours URL/location: https://doc.csod.com