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Lecture Series Slide SPC OU

We present a video lecture series on severe thunderstorm forecasting, a collaboration between the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, The University of Oklahoma, the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, and the NOAA Warning Decision Training Division. This is based on a three-semester-hour graduate-level course offered at The University of Oklahoma about applications of meteorological theory to the forecasting of severe thunderstorms (Meteorology 5403/4403: Applications of Meteorological Theory to Severe-Thunderstorm Forecasting). This course is led by SPC forecasters Ariel Cohen and Richard Thompson, and University of Oklahoma faculty member Steven Cavallo. During each spring semester from 2015 to 2017, this course has provided an opportunity to bridge the academic and operational disciplines of meteorology, allowing students to learn from experienced forecasters who have performed research on a variety of topics. During spring 2017, many lectures comprising Meteorology 5403/4403 and other related lectures relevant to severe thunderstorm forecasting were recorded. YouTube links to these recordings and accompanying descriptions are provided below as an educational resource.

Credit for recording and editing these videos goes to Ben Holcomb and Shawn Riley of The University of Oklahoma. OU student Daniel Cornish reviewed and edited most closed captions, and substantial appreciation is extended to OU graduate student Andrew Moore who served as a teaching assistant for Meteorology 5403/4403 during spring semester 2017. Keli Pirtle, NOAA Communications public affairs specialist, and James Murnan, NOAA Weather Partners audio/visual production specialist, both contributed assistance in the preparation and outreach for this video series.

All videos are closed captioned.
Updated: 6 July 2017

Quick Links to Sections:

  • Severe Thunderstorm Ingredients
  • Quasi-Geostrophic Theory
  • Subjective Chart Analysis and Forecasting Philosophy
  • Homework Review
  • Mesoscale Convective System Motion
  • Dual-Pol Radar Application
  • Perturbation Pressure
  • Operational Severe Weather Watch/Warning System
  • Decision Making in Weather Forecasting
  • Tropical Cyclone (TC) Tornadoes
  • Supercells and Tornadoes
  • Vertical Circulations
  • Convection-Allowing Models (CAMs) and Ensembles
  • Statistical Severe Convective Risk Assessment Model (SSCRAM)
  • Southeast U.S. Cool Season Severe Weather/Tornadoes and Other Low-buoyancy Environments
  • Seasonal Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Forecasting
  • Forecasting Fire Weather
  • Severe Thunderstorm Ingredients (Top)

    Video Name: Severe Thunderstorm Ingredients
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses the main ingredients for organized severe thunderstorms, including moisture, rising air, instability, and vertical wind shear.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/MStOxD_TQ_Y

    Video Name: Lapse Rate Tendency Equation
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen presents the derivation of the lapse rate tendency equation using the principle of conservation of mass, and then discusses the physical meaning of each term in the lapse rate tendency equation.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/2iNtFJ3neIQ

    Video Name: Conservation of Mass
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen shows the mathematical relationship between changes in pressure and divergence using the conservation of mass.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/AgPLFR1D6KY

    Video Name: Moisture and the Return Flow Cycle
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses air mass modification and the return flow cycle and how it applies to forecasting severe thunderstorms.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/d9wKfyb7cbo

    Video Name: Effects of Inland Mixing on Moisture
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses the effects underlying land conditions have on inland moisture return.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/FDfD60jl9fQ

    Video Name: Effects of Evapotranspiration
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses the effects of evapotranspiration on low-level moisture.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/FJGDnJ1o_3Y

    Video Name: Source and Evolution of Lapse Rates
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses the source regions and evolution of lapse rates that result in favorable instability for severe thunderstorm development.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/6Tt2ro-Ed0A

    Video Name: Synoptic Influences on Vertical Wind Shear
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses how synoptic scale processes influence favorable vertical wind shear for organized severe thunderstorms.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ySHuZxrYP4s

    Video Name: Jet Streaks and Vertical Wind Shear
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson focuses on a conceptual model of jet streaks and how the movement of air through a jet streak influences the deep-layer wind profile.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/Abf1Q2VLUTs

    Video Name: Lee Cyclogenesis and Vertical Wind Shear
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses the necessary conditions for lee cyclogenesis and its implications on the deep-layer wind profile, specifically on its intensification of the low-level jet.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/CZH9_awxUWY

    Video Name: Synoptic Lift Sources
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses sources of synoptic scale lift, how it affects the near-storm environment, and its relation to convective initiation.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/rhTIorvcjXw

    Video Name: Mesoscale Lift and the Dryline
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses mesoscale lift, specifically the vertical circulation of the dryline, and how a conceptual model can be used to estimate the likelihood of thunderstorm development.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/4LKx_YOTIlc

    Video Name: Synoptic Review
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson presents a brief overview of the quasi-geostrophic height tendency and QG Omega equations, frontogenesis, and barotropic and baroclinic waves.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/oQ7K113wUJ4

    Video Name: Skew-T Diagram Basics
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses the basics of the skew-T log-p diagram and shows real life cases of how large-scale ascent affects the thermodynamic and kinematic profile.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/mYJw2QovUKQ

    Video Name: Hodograph Plots
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson introduces the hodograph and storm-relative helicity and explains how they can be used to analyze the environmental wind profile in order to forecast different severe weather threats.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/cQAONp1_b2s

    Video Name: Observational Data Quality
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses how to identify bad observational data using real-world examples.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/5yMbp54bPFY

    Quasi-Geostrophic Theory (Top)

    Video Name: Atmospheric Vertical Motion Responses to Forcing
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses the atmospheric vertical motion response to divergence and some physical implications for the real atmosphere.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/hfJ_1mQQv4Q

    Video Name: Quasi-Geostrophic Height Tendency Equation: Intro
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen introduces the quasi-geostrophic vorticity equation and then derives the quasi-geostrophic height tendency equation.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/iIZIfe_c9DI

    Video Name: Quasi-Geostrophic Omega Equation: Intro
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen derives the quasi-geostrophic omega equation and discusses the physical meaning of each of its terms.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/oX9LCdliNTg

    Video Name: Quasi-Geostrophic Omega Equation: Applications
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses the physical implications of the quasi-geostrophic omega equation and applies them to various conceptual models.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/bYM82OJk4xc

    Video Name: Quasi-Geostrophic Height Tendency Equation: Applications
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discuss the physical implications of the quasi-geostrophic height tendency equation and applies them to various conceptual models.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/421VenxbJPQ

    Video Name: Conservation of Potential Vorticity
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses the conservation of potential vorticity and its implications on lee troughing.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/3yWwrhldV5Y

    Subjective Chart Analysis and Forecasting Philosophy (Top)

    Video Name: Forecasting Philosophy
    Lecturer: Steven Weiss
    Description: Weiss discusses many different aspects of forecasting philosophy, including the roles of both humans and computers in the forecasting process and the continued importance of subjective hand analysis.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/BpoaCQUfFbs

    Video Name: Operational Observing Systems and Upper-Air Analysis
    Lecturer: Steven Weiss
    Description: In this video, Weiss discusses the observing systems that operational forecasters use today, as well as the philosophy of upper-air analysis.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ArW8pZ2N4fQ

    Video Name: Model Analysis Errors and Upper-Air Analysis Examples
    Lecturer: Steven Weiss
    Description: Weiss presents examples of model analysis errors, as well as manual upper-air analyses for selected severe weather events.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/xThfLtl6ckg

    Video Name: Tornado Forecasting History and Surface Analysis
    Lecturer: Steven Weiss
    Description: Weiss discusses the history of tornado forecasting and the role of surface analysis in the advancement of tornado forecasting.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/uPH78cMmyFk

    Video Name: Surface Mesoanalysis and Boundary Identification
    Lecturer: Steven Weiss
    Description: In this video, Weiss discusses how surface mesoanalysis is done, its role in severe weather forecasting, and how to use various data sources to help identify surface boundaries.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/LOWrD2b6YgA

    Video Name: Subjective Analysis Example Case
    Lecturer: Steven Weiss
    Description: Weiss presents subjective surface and upper-air analysis for an example severe weather event.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/X2TL5TI1yUw

    Video Name: Forecast Philosophy and Decision Making
    Lecturer: Steven Weiss
    Description: Weiss discusses forecast philosophy in detail and how it impacts forecast decision making.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/-0wF7M_DSCI

    Homework Review (Top)

    Video Name: Homework Review
    Lecturer: Andrew Moore
    Description: Moore discusses the solutions to the first homework problem set, which included questions involving positively and negatively tilted troughs, surface cyclogenesis, mesoscale and synoptic scale lift related to convective initiation, and identifying areas of low-level ascent.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/o2mKwERp4x8

    Mesoscale Convective System Motion (Top)

    Video Name: Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) Motion
    Lecturer: Andrew Moore
    Description: Moore discusses the basic characteristics of an MCS, how to forecast MCS motion, and the factors that influence MCS motion.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/kcrZDS_hSDw

    Dual-Pol Radar Applications (Top)

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Overview
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: Picca provides an overview of the dual-polarization variables and their operational uses, creating a foundation for this radar training series.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/rCXlg3sYQhQ

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: ZDR Columns/Updraft Detection
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: This dual-pol signature gives you the ability to track updrafts and monitor their evolution with more confidence.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/A1WR2LkYe70

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Size Sorting/Updraft Detection
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: What is the hydrometeor size sorting signature and how can you use it to predict near-term thunderstorm trends? Check it out!
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/oD1bfv7VO_k

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: ZDR Arcs/Detection of Increasing Low-Level Rotation Potential
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: This radar signature uses the unique footprint of raindrop size sorting to reveal an increasing potential for low- and mid-level rotation in thunderstorms.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/Mdee9iuJOVE

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Large Hail Signature
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: Use dual-pol data to gain even more confidence regarding the location of the largest hail within thunderstorms.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/jF8lZMvPcFg

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Tornadic Debris Signature (TDS)
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: This powerful dual-polarization signature gives us the ability to confirm a recent or ongoing tornado. However, TDS diagnosis must be done with great caution, and this video provides some tips to do so.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/RKUP46UE-1I

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Side Lobe Contamination
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: Side lobe contamination doesn’t sound very interesting, but it can wreak havoc with radar interrogation of potentially tornadic storms. Here’s a description of side lobe contamination and some tips on how to spot it.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/CxHypXmICJM

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Three-Body Scatter Spike (Hail Spike) Signature
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: The hail spike signature is fairly common in severe thunderstorms. However, did you know it can also interfere with velocity signatures, occasionally producing false indications of rotation? Use dual-pol data to identify this problem and improve your radar interpretation skills!
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/w7HWGtETDQg

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Melting Layer Identification
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: Heavy precipitation or high reflectivity due to melting snowflakes? Rain about to switch to snow? Here’s how dual-pol data can help your analysis.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/qtSenCoVClI

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Transition Zones / Re-Freezing (Sleet) Signatures
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: Snow? Sleet? Freezing Rain? Don’t fear the wintry mix! Use dual-pol data to decipher an array of precipitation types.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/sq5hNNps2Ao

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Heavy Snow Identification
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: When heavy snow threatens your area, dual-pol data can highlight snow crystal processes (such as crystal growth and aggregation) that can enhance snowfall rates.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/MPGH19MlzHQ

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Depolarization / Increasing Lightning Potential
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: Did you know dual-pol data can identify strengthening in-cloud electrification and a growing potential for lightning in winter storms? Here’s how!
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/qe1oUZu0Z4o

    Video Name: Dual-Pol Radar: Light Winter Precipitation
    Lecturer: Joey Picca
    Description: Light winter precipitation may seem harmless, but it can still have big impacts. Use subtle dual-pol details to target the areas of most concern.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/Aiowi18_Ono

    Perturbation Pressure (Top)

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 1: Introduction
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen introduces the individual components of the perturbation pressure equation and how it can be obtained from the Boussinesq equations of motion.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/KXhv679HCbQ

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 2: The Hydrodynamic Non-Linear Shear Term
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen presents the physical implications of the hydrodynamic non-linear shear term on the flanking sides of an initial updraft.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/mNTyAiPS3zc

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 3: Vorticity and Storm Relative Helicity
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses the implications of crosswise and streamwise vorticity on the development of rotating updrafts. He also introduces the equation to find storm relative helicity.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/3RJnTbZ3CSI

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 4: Crosswise and Streamwise Vorticity
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen continues to discuss why streamwise vorticity is more favorable for tornadogenesis by analyzing the change in horizontal vorticity over time.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/TgJBo7H767s

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 5: Hydrodynamic Non-Linear Fluid Extension Term
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses the physical implications of the hydrodynamic non-linear fluid extension term on the flanking sides of an initial updraft.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/UfpRZ6EWAxY

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 6: Summary of Non-Linear Terms
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen summarizes the physical implications of the hydrodynamic non-linear shear and fluid extension terms on the flanking sides of an initial updraft.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/VPM1RdNqicY

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 7: Linear Term and a Straight Hodograph
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses the hydrodynamic linear term of the perturbation pressure equation and its implication on cell propagation in a straight hodograph case.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/DaaV9Dlud_k

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 8: Linear Term and a Curved Hodograph
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses the physical implications of the hydrodynamic linear term in the case of a curved hodograph.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/bPs-sEj7uz0

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 9: Linear Term and a Second Curved Hodograph
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen presents another example of a curved hodograph to show the physical implications of the hydrodynamic linear term.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/fpOQ_J8OsJg

    Video Name: Perturbation Pressure Part 10: Summary of Perturbation Pressure and Bunkers Storm Motion
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen reviews the terms of the perturbation pressure equation and their effects on the flanking sides of an initial updraft. Bunkers supercell storm motion is also introduced in this video.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/by8CNokCz38

    Operational Severe Weather Watch/Warning System (Top)

    Video Name: Operational Severe Weather Watch/Warning System
    Lecturer: Alan Gerard
    Description: Gerard discusses the past, present, and future of the operational severe weather watch/warning system, including FACETs, Warn-on-Forecast, and PHI.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/TUE16KhOgIY

    Video Name: Forecaster Personality Types
    Lecturer: Steve Piltz
    Description: In this video, Piltz discusses the importance of the human element of the severe weather warning process and uses the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to highlight how different personalities play a role in forecast decision making.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/st5yFS9NR3c

    Video Name: Near Storm Environment and Radar Side Lobe Contamination
    Lecturer: Steve Piltz
    Description: Piltz discusses how the near storm environment and radar side lobe contamination influence warning operations.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/obQBz2mGgbU

    Video Name: Warning Decision Making
    Lecturer: Steve Piltz
    Description: Piltz discusses warning decisions regarding various convective modes and severe weather threats, including supercells, QLCS tornadoes, hail, downbursts, and landspout tornadoes.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ZUyeKkGLDrg

    Decision Making in Weather Forecasting (Top)

    Video Name: Forecast Decision Making
    Lecturer: Bill Bunting
    Description: Bunting discusses lessons in decision making meteorologists have learned from other disciplines and how fatigue plays a role in the operational forecast environment.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ayadlJlQM9k

    Video Name: Operational Forecast Exercise
    Lecturer: Bill Bunting
    Description: Bunting presents an operational forecasting exercise from a past severe weather event and walks through the decisions that have to be made in a forecast office during similar days.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/EJCaAwiY_M4

    Tropical Cyclone (TC) Tornadoes (Top)

    Video Name: Tropical Cyclone Tornadoes: Climatology and Forecasting Concepts
    Lecturer: Roger Edwards
    Description: Edwards discusses different aspects of the climatology of tropical cyclone tornadoes and an ingredients-based approach to forecasting them.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/KhfQTdPWrn4

    Video Name: Tropical Cyclone Tornadoes: Dual-Pol Radar Applications and Reversible CAPE
    Lecturer: Roger Edwards
    Description: Edwards discusses the applications of dual-polarization radar and reversible CAPE to forecasting tropical cyclone tornadoes.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/_AhqdR_UNoM

    Supercells and Tornadoes (Top)

    Video Name: Supercell Characteristics
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: In this instructional video Thompson describes the ingredients and physical processes for supercell formation including buoyancy, shear, and vorticity.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/4smGcIOfHjQ

    Video Name: Non-Mesocyclonic Tornadoes
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: In this instructional video Thompson discusses the physical processes for non-mesocyclonic tornadoes.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/7-0p3SymW2k

    Video Name: Mesocyclonic Tornadoes
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: In this NWS instructional video Thompson presents the physical processes for mesocyclonic (supercell) tornadoes.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/CSdw3qP_kgs

    Video Name: Supercell Composite Parameter
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses the Supercell Composite Parameter (SCP) in this instructional video for the NWS.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/QO0AB74Tig4

    Video Name: Significant Tornado Parameter
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: In this instructional video for the NWS, Thompson presents information on the use of the Significant Tornado Parameter (STP) for severe weather forecasting.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/oGroevljaWQ

    Video Name: Tornado and Parameter Climatology
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses tornado climatology and parameter climatology associated with tornadic storms.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/-RPfmeZ8Gz4

    Video Name: WSR-88D Tornado Damage-Rating Probabilities
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses how radar information can be used to estimate the potential magnitude of tornado damage at the ground.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/YkKzhz95Z-4

    Video Name: Tornado Damage Rating Estimates: Combining WSR-88D and Near-Storm Environment
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses how the near-storm environment can be incorporated to give a better estimation of tornado damage at the ground.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/vkdxTrlxhGk

    Video Name: Importance of WSR-88D Data Quality
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson explains the importance of correctly interpreting radar data and how to determine whether radar signatures are caused by meteorological targets.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/lPFX3lmOAVs

    Video Name: Convective Mode
    Lecturer: Andrew Moore
    Description: Moore discusses the important factors in forecasting convective mode and the effects of storm interactions.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/f99Fa-EXGEs

    Vertical Circulations (Top)

    Video Name: Sea Breeze/Land Breeze and Differential Heating Introduction
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen introduces the basic concepts of the sea breeze/land breeze, as well as how differential heating associated with mountains can influence anabatic and katabatic flow.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/3gzLZk6cn7s

    Video Name: Mathematical Introduction to Circulation
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen introduces the theoretical work associated with the expression of vertical circulations in the atmosphere.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/SeFh0_PNHIU

    Video Name: Stokes’ Theorem and Circulation
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses circulation through the use of Stokes’ theorem and investigates the case of a barotropic fluid.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/c2HrpHsZsKU

    Video Name: Circulation in a Barotropic Fluid
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses the case of a barotropic fluid using Stokes’ Theorem.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/sQR1vAIjHNU

    Video Name: Circulation of a Baroclinic Fluid
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen uses Stokes’ Theorem to demonstrate the circulation that is created within a baroclinic fluid.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/eLEYKigBHuA

    Video Name: Diurnal Effects on the Dryline Circulation
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: In this video, Cohen discusses the changes in the dryline circulation that occur during daytime heating and overnight.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/7nwt2co6YuM

    Video Name: Mesoscale Lift and the Dryline
    Lecturer: Rich Thompson
    Description: Thompson discusses the important factors that contribute to deep, moist convection initiating due to the dryline circulation.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/5aqS8X10gWw

    Convection-Allowing Models (CAMs) and Ensembles (Top)

    Video Name: Introduction and Biases of CAMs and Convection-Allowing Ensembles
    Lecturer: Israel Jirak
    Description: Jirak introduces convection-allowing models and provides examples of biases of specific operational models.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ym3LEHS_c_M

    Video Name: Uses and Limitations of CAMs
    Lecturer: Israel Jirak
    Description: Jirak specifically discusses the common limitations and uses of convection-allowing models.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/4ETfmMiLuwc

    Video Name: History, Sample Cases, and Updraft Helicity in CAMs
    Lecturer: Israel Jirak
    Description: Jirak presents a brief history of convection-allowing models, reviews the performance of CAMs in a few example cases, and discusses the utility of updraft helicity to forecasters.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/xLXq6ztEL7Y

    Video Name: Convection-Allowing Ensembles
    Lecturer: Israel Jirak
    Description: In this video, Jirak discusses the various aspects of convection-allowing ensemble models.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/1zJbjN_R0rw

    Statistical Severe Convective Risk Assessment Model (SSCRAM) (Top)

    Video Name: SSCRAM: Introduction and Ingredients
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: In this video, Cohen introduces SSCRAM and reviews the viability of different environmental parameters that can be used to forecast different severe weather threats.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/drQHiHMoFYQ

    Video Name: SSCRAM: Month-to-Month Variability and Significant Tornado Predictability
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses differences in predictability using SSCRAM output during different times of the year and presents conclusions drawn from research thus far, in regards to significant tornadoes.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/O39KFuGGUu4

    Video Name: SSCRAM Overview
    Lecturer: John Hart
    Description: Hart provides an overview of SSCRAM, including how it was made, how SSCRAM probabilities are determined, the reliability of SSCRAM, and examples of forecast output from an actual severe weather event.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/K501ezwCFrs

    Southeast U.S. Cool Season Severe Weather/Tornadoes and Other Low-buoyancy Environments (Top)

    Video Name: Southeast United States Cool Season Tornado Environments
    Lecturer: Jared Guyer
    Description: Guyer discusses various aspects of southeast United States cool season tornado environments that makes them unique compared to other regions, particularly the Great Plains.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/BTRd54_Pa6A

    Video Name: Tornadoes with Weak CAPE
    Lecturer: Jared Guyer
    Description: Guyer discusses various aspects of tornadoes that occur in weak CAPE environments and how convection-allowing models can aid in forecasting these types of events.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/7Y2_QOqqc9c

    Video Name: Southeast U.S. Cold Season Severe Storm Environments: PBL Parameterization Schemes
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses local, non-local, and hybrid PBL parameterization schemes and their implications on southeast U.S. cold season severe storm environments.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/cc_0OCQp-fw

    Seasonal Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Forecasting (Top)

    Video Name: Seasonal Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Forecasting
    Lecturer: Ashton Robinson Cook
    Description: Cook discusses how the phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation can be used to create a seasonal forecast for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/df44LiGTteU

    Forecasting Fire Weather (Top)

    Video Name: Forecasting Fire Weather in the United States
    Lecturer: Ariel Cohen
    Description: Cohen discusses an ingredients-based approach to fire weather forecasting.
    YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/Xy9AdUaUynU

    Weather Topics:
    Watches, Mesoscale Discussions, Outlooks, Fire Weather, All Products, Contact Us

    NOAA / National Weather Service
    National Centers for Environmental Prediction
    Storm Prediction Center
    120 David L. Boren Blvd.
    Norman, OK 73072 U.S.A.
    spc.feedback@noaa.gov
    Page last modified: June 17, 2022
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