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Integrated Sensor Training (IST) Professional Development Series

Unit 9: AWIPS Multi-Source Data Displays

Instructional Component 9.1.19

Satellite Interpretation of Orographic Clouds / Effects

Dan Bikos and Jeff Braun

Other contributors and help from:
Scott Lindstrom, Scott Bachmeier, WFO ABQ, WFO FGZ, WFO BOU, WFO LOX, WFO VEF, WFO PIH and COMET

1) Introduction

    Objectives:

    1) Identification of various orographic clouds

    2) Satellite interpretation for various events where orography played a significant role.

    • Topics:
        • Mountain clouds (lee-wave, cirrus, wall)
        Severe downslope winds
        Orographic convergence zones
        Gap winds
        Impact of orography on convection
2) Prerequisites

    There are no prerequisites for this session. This is a Basic session.


3) Teletraining Installation Instructions


4) Training Session Options:

    A.) The interactive VISITview training session. (To be used with a VISIT instructor leading the session ). Click here to signup for teletraining. The session will last 75 to 90 minutes. This teletraining session uses the VISITview software, where a Windows PC with an Internet connection is needed.

    B.) local Visitview session - This is the same version of the lesson used in a "live" VISITview teletraining session, but no connection is made to an external VISITview server. You may download the file off this page and go through the lesson on your own in "local mode" by starting the "visitlocal.bat" file. Talking points are not included in this lesson version, but can be viewed in a separate Web browser (or printed out beforehand).

    C.) Audio playback - This VISITview file contains recorded audio and annotations and can be taken at anytime. Certificates of completion for NOAA employees can be obtained through your Science Operation Officer or training point of contact. For detailed information on how to view the recorded session click here.

    You may either request a DVD (with all VISIT audio playback files) OR download the file (see instructions below):

    Create a directory to download the audio playback file (it is about 134 MB in size) from one of the following sites:
    ftp://rammftp.cira.colostate.edu/bikos/audio/Orographic_Audio.exe
    OR
    ftp://ftp.ssec.wisc.edu//visit/audio/Orographic_Audio.exe


    After extracting the files into that directory click on the visitplay.bat file to start the lesson.

5) References/Additional Links


6) Train the trainer

    Talking points - these may be used by local offices in tandem with the visitview training session (run in local mode - "visitlocal.bat"). The talking points may be printed out to easily review the session in detail at any time. The web page version contains talking points embedded in each slide (useful for printing).

    The talking points may be downloaded as a Word document
7) Content developed/updated
    2007
8) Information contact