MEA 498/598: National Weather Service Student Internship

Spring/Summer 2010

 

This is an internship experience at the Raleigh National Weather Service (NWS) Office for meteorology majors interested in a career in operational weather forecasting.  Activities include job shadowing, weather analysis, development of area forecast discussions, weather and storm summaries, seasonal familiarization sessions, site visits, and participation in routine shift operations of the NWS.

 

Course Description   |   Orientation Presentation 

 

Shift Options

 

Outreach Opportunities – updated 2010/01/15

 

References

AWIPS Familiarization Reference and Worksheet

Frequently Used NWS Text Products Reference - new

NEXRAD Eye to the Sky Video

NOAA Technical Memo Operational Mesoanalysis

HPC Unified Surface Analysis Manual

Forecast Process - A General Approach to Weather Forecasting

Area Forecast Discussion Reference

Issuing Local Storm Reports Reference

How to Access Required and Optional NWS Training Materials - new

 

 

Syllabus – updated 12/16/2010

 

Date

Worksheet

Activities & Reminders

Week 1

January 12

 

Orientation, group photo, administrative activities

Receive IT security training materials and acknowledgement

Week 2

January 19-22

June 1-6

 

Training with AWIPS (AWIPS Familiarization Reference and Worksheet)

Turn in completed IT security training acknowledgement

Week 3

January 25-31

June 7-13

 

week 3

Level I - focus on local observations and observing systems

Complete the “Introduction to NOAA's National Weather Service” by January 25

View the “NEXRAD Eye to the Sky” video by  January 31

UNC vs. NC State on January 26

Week 4

February 1-7

June 14-20

week 4

Level I - focus on upper air and satellite observations

Activity – Trip to KIGX ASOS on January 29, 300-500 PM

Week 5

February 8-14

June 21-27

 

week 5

Level I - focus on hand analysis

NOAA Technical Memo Operational Mesoanalysis

HPC Unified Surface Analysis Manual

Attach a copy of your surface analysis to your worksheet

Turn in Journal 1 and a copy of your hand analysis by February 14 

Week 6

February 15-21

June 28-July 4

 

week 6

Level - focus on hand analysis

NOAA Technical Memo Operational Mesoanalysis

HPC Unified Surface Analysis Manual

Attach a copy of your surface analysis to your worksheet

Activity – Trip to KRAX radar on February 19, 300-500 PM

Week 7

February 22-28

July 5-11

 

week 7

 

Level II - Focus on forecast process and introduction into GFE

Forecast Process - A General Approach to Weather Forecasting

Turn in Journal 2 and a copy of your hand analysis by February 28

Week 8

1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th week of March

Near term worksheet

Level II round robin - Short term forecast shift

Activity – NWS job application primer on March 4, 515-645 PM

Week 9

1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th week of March

Aviation worksheet

Level II round robin - Aviation forecast shift

Complete the “NWS Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)” LMS training before the shift and take the quiz

Turn in Journal 3 by March 15

Week 10

1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th week of March

Fire weather worksheet

Level II round robin - Fire weather forecast shift

Complete “The Structure of the NWS Fire Weather Program” LMS training before the shift (skip the exercise questions but complete the quiz)

Activity – Severe weather and radar event simulation on March 25,  515-645 PM

Week 11

1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th week of March

Extended range worksheet

Level II round robin - Extended range forecast shift

Turn in Journal 4 by April 4

Week 12

April 5-11

August 2-8

week 12

Level II - Independent forecast discussions

Area Forecast Discussion Reference

Turn in hard copy of AFD

Week 13

April 12-18

August 9-15

week 13

Level II - Independent forecast discussions

Area Forecast Discussion Reference

Turn in Journal 5 and a hard copy of AFD by April 18