Basic meteorology online course

[Lunch]

This is the site I come to for the real dealio on storms, but I have no clue what anyone is really talking about.  I'd gladly devote ~8 hours to a good basic beginners class to learn what qpf, 1z, and "Nammed" mean.  Any recommendations?

[Boch23]

Other people might know of an actual online course. Storm Spotter training might be a good place to start. They usually do it in the spring and its a couple hours.

I would say google is your best friend. Thats how I've taught myself a lot over the years. Search like "Meteorology QPF". And of course people are always willing to answer on here. QPF (quantitative precipitation forecast) is basically the expected liquid equivalent of what falls from the sky. So you may have 10" of snow...but when melted down its 1" of liquid. 1z is the time. It refers to Greenwich Mean Time. Its 5 hours ahead i believe so 12Z would be 7AM our time or 8AM when clocks spring ahead.

As for getting Nam'd...there is nothing scientific in this term. Its just a term thats developed because each storm, as sure as the sun rises every day, the Nam at some point will spit out some ridiculous outcome detached from reality. Map shows double the expected amount etc.

 

[Lunch]

Thanks, that sheds some light.  I know for myself I don't tend to get a full grasp on things without some kind of structured learning, but little bits like this def help.

[cbelke]

Here is the NWS Skywarn Spotter page, which is probably a good spot to start.  https://www.weather.gov/phi/become

As for the terminology you are seeing on this site, most are weather related and you'll pick up a lot over time given the scenarios, however, there is a good bit of sarcasm and word bending that goes on as well.  😉

This is probably the most well rounded group of NWS meteorologists, professionals, semi-professionals, novices, and NWS retired golfers you'll find on the internet. 🙄

[Tiburon]

I learned by reading forums and asking questions.  From WrightWeather to EasternUSWX to AmericanWX to here, I've had the fortune of interacting with professionals and amateurs alike who are not only remarkably knowledgeable, but they also genuinely like to teach others what they know, and in a way that is either as simplified or as complex as you want it.

I started off reading text model MOS.  I won't mention specific names because I'll skip someone who doesn't deserve to be skipped but the group here is fantastic.  Even the amateur hobbyists here know their stuff, and most of that is thanks to the great mets that participate here.