Part 1 - Principles of Tropical Meteorology
Part 2 - African Meteorology
Part 3 - Mediterranean Meteorology
Part 4 - Middle East Meteorology
Part 5 - China Seas Meteorology
Part 6 - Central and South American Meteorology

Who is it for?

If you have an international forecasting commitment in any of the areas listed above, then this is the course for you. This course is not intended to develop the regional forecasting skills of forecasters from these areas.

What is the aim of the course?

Each component of the course aims to identify situations when the characteristic weather systems of the region are expected to develop and intensify.

What will students learn?

Through the development of a deeper understanding of the meteorology and dynamics driving the weather over these regions, more confidence will be brought to forecasts.

This course builds skills and knowledge to enable students to:

• apply sound meteorological knowledge and understanding to the analysis, interpretation and prediction of the local weather systems in these regions;
  
• state when forecast events are likely to break records;
  
• relate observed weather to regional climatology.

What does each course cover?

Part 1: Tropical flow patterns, tropical waves and TUTTS. Tropical cyclones and accuracy of NWP models. Formation of winter and summer monsoons, re-curvature and transition seasons, edge effects of monsoon circulations.

Part 2: Influence of ocean currents, sea-temperature anomalies and topography on climatology, tropospheric winds. The ITD and the ITCZ. Development of severe storms, line squalls, desert lows and tropical cyclones. Modification of fronts. Aviation hazards.

Part 3: Topographical influence on local winds and weather. Development of lows and the role of the African desert lows. Variation of sea swell across the Mediterranean plus a study of the weather of each of the sub-basins.

Part 4: Topographical influences; monsoon circulations and seasonal characteristics. Major wind patterns of the region; seasonal variations; Arabian Sea tropical cyclones. Local weather characteristics in and around the Arabian Gulf; Kareef and Shamal winds; sandstorm development; aviation forecasting problems; limitations of NWP models.

Part 5: Impact of topography. The ITCZ. Easterly waves, equatorial highs, subtropical and tropical cyclones. Monsoon surges. Caspian trough. Unusual winds. Sumatras. Usefulness of NWP products. Analysis methods. Large-scale circulation of the region.

Part 6: Broad-scale climatology of Central and South America. The conditions associated with typical surface flow patterns and weather systems affecting the continent, with particular emphasis on areas of potentially severe weather. To provide local forecasts to the Falkland Islands with an appreciation of their local geographical and climatological characteristics.

What is the course duration?

Each course module lasts two days. Any module can be taken independently of the other to suit individual needs, but it would be an advantage if the student were to take Part 1 before any of the other parts of this module.

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