Meteorology 206 Forecasting

Go back to forecast sheet by clicking on the BACK button at the top of this window Forecast Check-List and
Weather Products for Regular Forecasts

Here is a check-list that you can refer to when making your forecasts.
Print it and/or refer to it often.

1. Will cloud cover play an important role in your temperature forecast?
2. Will temperature advection play an important role in your temperature forecast?
3. Will fronts play an important role in your temperature forecast?
4. Is there sufficient moisture (from surface to 850 mb) for precipitation to occur?
If there is moisture available, is there a forcing mechanism to lift it?
5. Is there vorticity at 500 mb?
6. Are there any short waves at 700 mb?
7. Is the jet stream at 300 mb positioned for development?
8. Are there any fronts at the surface in your forecast region, or to the west of your forecast region?

Some Forecasting Hints:
1. Weather such as clouds, precipitation, and fronts tend to move west to east
across the United States.

2. Cloudy skies during the day (night) tend to keep temperatures lower (higher).

3. If a cold (warm) front passes through your area temperatures may drop (rise).

Starred * links are particularly useful at the beginning of the semester.

Weather Products Sites	Surface	Upper Air	Satellite	Radar	Forecasts (Computer Models)
Iowa State Univ.	*Explanation and Color Analysis	*Explanation and Color Analysis	-Explanation and Current images	-Explanation and DSM Radar (Images every 5 - 10 minutes Loop)	-Explanation and ETA 500mb vort. ETA precipitation
Univ. of Wyoming Univ. of Wyoming Difax	-Observations Analysis (Recent Archives) *DSM Meteogram	-Observations Analysis Soundings (Recent Archives)	-North America (Loops)	-Summary U.S. (Loop)	-Several Models Many Products
Univ. of Illinois	*Color Analysis Observations (Current and archived) (Loops and Overlays)	Not Available	-North America, US, Atlantic, and Pacific (Current and archived) (Loops and Overlays)	Not Available	Not Available
Ohio State Univ.	-Observations Color Analysis	-Analysis -Skew-Ts *850mb RH (#4 on checklist)	-Current and archived images	-Summaries -- National and Regional (Loops)	-Several Models Many Products
HPC	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	12 hr forecast 24 hr forecast
The Weather Channel	*Pressure Analysis Radar Summary	Not Available	IR National Loop	National Loop NCentUS Loop	Tomorrow a.m. Tomorrow
NCAR-RAP	-Observations RUC2 Analysis	-RUC2 Analysis Skew-Ts	*National and Regional Loops	-Selected Cities -- (Images every 20 - 30 minutes) NWS Cont US	Forecast Temps. 12 hr 18 hr 24 hr 30 hr -ETA model many products
*Unisys	-Observations Color Analysis	-Observations/ Analysis / Skew-Ts	-National and Regional Loops	-Summaries -- National and Regional (Loops)	-Several Models Many Products
AMS DataStreme	Observations Analysis DSM Meteogram	*Observations and/or Analysis	-Current Images	Not Available	-National (Station Models)
Intellicast	Surface Analysis	Current Jet Stream Fax Charts	National Loops World image	-Summaries -- National and Regional (Loops)	Tomorrow a.m.
Hydro.Met Prediction Center	Latest Analysis	Not Available	Color IR and Fronts Current image	Not Available	See Main Page

Updated: 2 Feb 2003
Send comments and suggestions to:
Darren Miller windmill@pircsa0.agron.iastate.edu