Severe Weather Lab Procedures

Time

Map

Instructions

20 mins

Hourly surface analysis

Isotherms every 5° in red lines. Isodrosotherms every 5° in dashed green. Isobars every 4mb in solid black. Locate fronts and other significant surface features.

10 mins

250 mb

Isoheights every 60 meters in solid black.

Isotachs in 20 knot increments starting after 30 kts. Shade in areas greater than 50 kts.

10 mins

500 mb

Isoheights every 60 meters in solid black. Isotherms every 4° C in red. 12-hours height changes in dashed blue lines in 30-meter intervals.

10 mins

700 mb

Isoheights every 30 meters in solid black. Isotherms every 2° C in red.

10 mins

850 mb

Isoheights every 30 meters in solid black. Isotherms every 2° C in red.

15 mins

Other

Check radar and satellite information and examine upper-air soundings.

30 mins

Composite

Complete a composite map.

30 mins

Other

Look at morning upper-air soundings in detail. Adjust surface parameters accordingly. Look at radar and satellite loops and images.

15 mins

Severe Weather Outlook

A la SPC, outline a risk of severe and general thunderstorms. Write a brief group discussion. Then make a severe call (county.)

30 mins

Forecast maps

You may check the validity of forecasts. Be aware of where certain parameters are different than the analysis.

45 mins

Team 1

The first group will be responsible to do a national weather summary and forecast for Chicago to be put on the NEXLAB homepage.

45 mins

Team 2

Write a summary about the performance of the models to the extent of how they are verifying.

45 mins

Team 3

This group is responsible for the day 2 severe weather outlook.

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