WEATHER FORECASTING SCHOOL
Norman, Oklahoma
Page updated: May 21, 2013
APRIL 2013 UPDATE
Jim Ladue of NOAA NWS/WTDB and others in the Norman weather community may join in and
help with the training on a couple of the class dates. |
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The Weather Forecasting School quickly teaches the
inner workings of weather forecasting.
It's a series of courses taught by meteorologist Tim Vasquez, who not only has a forecasting background but also spent 10 years in Air Force meteorology and
has written several textbooks.
Since 2001 Tim has taught hundreds of hobbyists and forecasters the science and art
of weather forecasting through a unique building-block approach.
So why Weather Forecasting School?
 It's conveniently located in Norman, Oklahoma -- the professional and academic severe weather capital of the world.
Undergraduates can fully prepare themselves for the demands of university meteorology coursework.
Add Weather Graphics certification to your resume (selected courses only).
In today's tough economy, quality technical training sets you apart from the rest.
Perfect for storm chasers, amateur forecasters, SKYWARN net controllers, and broadcast meteorologists
looking to brush up in critical areas.
Upcoming classes
All classes are in Norman, Oklahoma. NO math or technical expertise in severe weather is required.
* Courses in black are basic courses that cover all areas of severe weather forecasting. They are suitable for all attendees.
* Courses in red are advanced courses. Anyone may take an advanced class but if you are not familiar with the basics of severe
weather forecasting, some of the material may not make sense.
* Courses in blue are specialty courses that look at specific areas of severe weather forecasting, starting with the basics and
going into more detail. They are suitable for all attendees.
| Course |
Date |
Time |
Cost |
Registration |
Seats
remaining |
| MARCH 2013 |
Severe Weather Forecasting (Basic)
Covers the basics of severe weather forecasting. |
Saturday, March 16, 2013 |
9 am - 1 pm |
$65 |
- |
0 |
Advanced Severe Weather Forecasting (Intermediate/Advanced)
Covers radar, soundings, and hand analysis in detail. |
Saturday, March 16, 2013 |
2 pm - 6 pm |
$65 |
- |
1 |
| APRIL 2013 |
Severe Weather Forecasting (Basic)
Covers the basics of severe weather forecasting. |
Saturday, April 13, 2013 |
9 am - 1 pm |
$65 |
- |
0 |
Advanced Severe Weather Forecasting (Intermediate/Advanced)
Covers radar, soundings, and hand analysis in detail. |
Saturday, April 13, 2013 |
2 pm - 6 pm |
$65 |
- |
0 |
NIGHT OWL Workshop
A heavy hands-on course covering radar, surface charts, and satellite. We'll do a couple of chase targeting simulations -- lots of fun! Hands-on chart analysis will be emphasized. |
Saturday, April 13, 2013 |
7 pm - 11 pm |
$65 |
- |
0 |
Soundings & Hodographs
A detailed look at working with thermodynamic tools. |
Saturday, April 27, 2013 |
9 am - 1 pm |
$65 |
- |
1 |
Advanced Severe Weather Forecasting (Intermediate/Advanced)
Covers radar, soundings, and hand analysis in detail. |
Saturday, April 27, 2013 |
2 pm - 6 pm |
$65 |
- |
2 |
| MAY 2013 |
Severe Weather Forecasting (Basic to Advanced)
This 6 1/2 hour class teaches everything from the basics to soundings, hodographs, and radar. |
Saturday, May 11, 2013 |
11:30 am - 6 pm |
$85 |
- |
1 |
| JUNE 2013 |
Severe Weather Forecasting workshop
A 6-hour class that covers the basics of severe weather forecasting, storm structure,
tornadoes, hail, and radar interpretation. |
Saturday, June 29, 2013 |
11 am - 5 pm |
$79 |
Register |
4 |
| JULY 2013 |
Severe Weather Forecasting workshop
A 6-hour class that covers the basics of severe weather forecasting, storm structure,
tornadoes, hail, and radar interpretation. As this is getting into hurricane season, we'll also spend a small amount of time on forecasting tropical cyclones. |
Saturday, July 27, 2013 |
11 am - 5 pm |
$79 |
Register |
4 |
| SPECIAL NOTES |
* Reserving a seat at no cost. To simply hold a spot and pay later, or if you're not yet sure you can attend,
e-mail us and make a reservation.
We strongly recommend locking in your reservation by making payment. Classes may be canceled or restructured at our discretion if there are no confirmed
reservations for the class date.
* Payment method. Credit card, check, or cash are accepted. You may pay at the class before it begins.
* Class content. The agenda is structured based on attendee preferences and skill levels.
* Disclaimer. By registering for Forecast School services or products you indemnify and hold harmless Weather Graphics for any liability, incidental or consequential, that
occurs as a result of or in conjunction with the Forecast School training program. The Forecast School service is provided as-is without
warranty, expressed or implied. |
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Frequently asked questions
For more information about Forecast School classes, see the
Frequently Asked Questions page.
VIP training sessions
Set your own class date and get a private training session in Norman, Oklahoma,
severe weather capital of the world.
Training is in the Weather Graphics office classroom.
Personalized VIP sessions can be arranged on any day at any time.
The cost for Norman VIP training is $295/day or $195/half day.
Additional students such as friends and family may attend at half price.
You can work on any combination of topics like analysis, soundings, hodographs, models, dynamics, plotting,
pattern recognition, diagnostics, satellite, radar interpretation, profilers, chase strategy,
storm structure, case studies, isentropic analysis, numerical meteorology, and much more.
It's all up to you.
To arrange a training session, contact us.
Tim Vasquez can also travel to your city to conduct training; send an e-mail for a rate schedule.
©2013 Tim Vasquez / Weather Graphics
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Tim Vasquez explains the zero-line on a WSR-88D radial velocity product during the April 21, 2012 class.
Jim LaDue of NOAA Warning Decision Training Branch is an occasional surprise guest instructor. Photo from October 2012.
Chart analysis is one area we specialize in.
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Announcement list for
ONLINE COURSES
Sometime in the next year we plan to roll out online training courses.
You'll be able to participate from the comfort of your own desk using any web browser.
A webcam or microphone will not be required.
So you don't miss out, please subscribe to this announcement list to get information as soon as a class is scheduled.
You can also unsubscribe at any time if you no longer wish to be on the list.
* If you are using the NoScript browser plug-in, you may see an error. Click here for special instructions.
* Your E-mail is kept private and will not be published or given to spammers. You may unsubscribe at any time.
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Announcement list for
RESIDENT COURSES
If you are able to travel to the Norman, Oklahoma area or live in the area, you might be interested
in attending a Forecast School class.
To receive announcements about these classes should any be scheduled, subscribe here.
* If you are using the NoScript browser plug-in, you may see an error. Click here for special instructions.
* Your E-mail is kept private and will not be published or given to spammers. You may unsubscribe at any time.
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Tim Vasquez is among the top experts on severe weather forecasting and is an accomplished author and programmer.
Tim's interest in weather goes back to 1976, but he began storm chasing in 1986,
learning firsthand from master storm forecasters Alan Moller and Tim Marshall.
As an Air Force meteorologist he forecasted weather for a number of special operations, including the
F-117A Stealth Fighter in Nevada, U-2 flights for United Nations Command Korea, and for Operation Support Hope in Rwanda.
At Dyess AFB, Texas and the US Forces Korea Forecast Center (TFU) in Seoul he was responsible for training and certifying all incoming meteorologists.
He completed WSR-88D doppler radar training by Unisys (the radar's manufacturer) and holds certification
in operating all parts of the radar unit including the RPG workstation and UCP control positions.
Tim programmed and wrote the Digital Atmosphere analysis and display system which has been in use by thousands of
private meteorologists, hobbyists, and weather agencies worldwide since 1996.
In 2009 he appeared on CBS Evening News, The Weather Channel, and the BBC as an expert on the weather
affecting Air France Flight 447.
His books, including Weather Forecasting Handbook, Weather Map Handbook, and
Storm Chasing Handbook are popular titles and are used in weather courses at universities
across the country, and he's written the Forecast Center column in Weatherwise magazine since 2001.
Questions and comments
For questions about the Forecast School courses, send us an
e-mail!
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"I just wanted to say thank you for an excellent class on March 10th, and it was a pleasure to meet you and Shannon in person!
Sara, Keith, and I learned a lot about forecasting, particularly jet streaks and adjusting SKEW-T plots to accommodate surface
heating. If you are considering hosting another class, perhaps with the "next step" in forecasting, you've got three people ready to sign up!"
"Thanks for the chase forecast class yesterday. I'm still fairly new to chasing in the Plains, but the class boosted my confidence
in my forecast ability. Please keep the classes coming... they are really great!"
"Enjoyed the class Saturday, please put me on a waiting list for the next open chase target selection class"
"I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the class. Worth every penny!
I hope next year I hope you are allowed to go over soundings more thoroughly and applications with soundings from
surrounding office and kinda of a refresher for not only thunderstorm events but briefly cover severe winter weather events.
Great class again!"
"Thanks for your forecasting class at the ChaserCon! I'm also working through your book now.
I enjoyed the class, although I was wracking my brain to remember a lot of basic meteorology."
"Just a note to once again say I thoroughly enjoyed your class and found it to be worth every penny!
I will re-read your books with some new found enthusiasm! You and Jim did a great job of
finding out our needs and then filling them with a patient understanding. Like I told Jim, that is a
quality I have found to be true with every meteorologist I have ever met! Well...ok with the exception
of Les Lemon >:-}. I hope that you find a way to continue offering your class so that others may learn.
Look forward to seeing you in Lincoln. Drive safe!"
"I enjoyed your forecasting class in Denver and just wish it would have lasted longer.
I'm more interested in the forecasting skills than the actual sighting of a tornado."
Also see an endorsement in KWTV-9 meteorologist Gary England's column here.
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