This 2-day long live online course via Zoom covers the basics of meteorology and explains how the atmosphere works. Students will learn how to read and interpret all the weather maps and computer models necessary to make their own forecast. There will be map reading and forecast exercises each day to provide as much hands-on experience as possible. While the focus of this course is on winter weather in the mountains of Alaska, the principles and techniques taught in this course will be applicable for almost any geographic area, anytime of year.
This course can be especially useful for workers involved in making short-term mission-critical weather forecasts for mountainous terrain, such as mountain guides, ski guides, or avalanche forecasters. Backcountry skiers, pilots, or anyone with a keen interest in the weather would also benefit from taking this course. A better understanding of the weather will enhance the planning and safety of any outdoor activity.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS COURSE WILL CLOSE OCTOBER 25th
Course Info: Some pre-course information to help prepare you for this course will be sent ahead of time, along with a course workbook. The on-line classroom via ZOOM will last 6 to 7 hours each day. Broken into a morning session, an afternoon session and a question-and-answer period at the end of each day. The course will include PowerPoint presentations, “live” looks at weather maps on the Internet, and practice exercises. It is recommended each student have access to a desktop or laptop computer, with a screen that accommodates opening multiple web pages. Using a Tablet or Smartphone is not recommended for this course.
Goals: By the end of this course students should feel comfortable interpreting most weather maps and making their own forecast for their local mountain area.
Instructor Bio: Jim Woodmencey received a B.S. in Meteorology from Montana State University in 1982. He spent 14 summers as a Climbing Ranger in Grand Teton National Park and 20 years as an avalanche/weather forecaster and guide, for High Mountain Heli-Skiing in Jackson, WY. He also worked one winter as an avalanche forecaster and meteorologist for the Alaska Avalanche Forecast Center in the mid-1980s.
Jim has been forecasting the weather for the Teton Mountains since 1991, including 20 years of broadcasting on local radio stations. In his spare time, he provides detailed forecasts for climbing expeditions around the world and teaches weather courses to the public and to the United States Military. Jim is the author of two books: Reading Weather and Weather in the Southwest.
A Zoom link will be sent to students prior to the course start date.
