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SHyMet Severe Thunderstorm Forecasting Course

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This course was developed in the pre GOES-R era and contains dated information.  Although some of the principles may still be applied in the GOES-R era, these are no longer supported training courses and are made available here as reference material.  Be sure to check the link to “SHyMet Courses” for current, supported courses.

The Severe Thunderstorm Forecasting track of the Satellite Hydrology and Meteorology (SHyMet) Course covers how to integrate satellite imagery interpretation with other datasets in analyzing severe thunderstorm events. The first three sessions focus on integrating GOES imagery with other datasets in analyzing the pre-storm environment, and the changing near-storm environment during the nowcasting period. Synthetic satellite imagery is the focus of one of the training sessions as it offers a unique, integrated way to visualize model output and shows good potential as a forecasting tool. A session on predicting supercell motion is also offered since the primary focus of the course is on environments favorable for supercells, however there are other convective modes discussed. Severe thunderstorm satellite signatures are discussed in multiple training sessions. Satellite products for severe weather forecasting are addressed as well. This course is administered through web-based instruction and consists of 7 modules (8 hours) of core topics and 8 modules (4 hours) of optional topics. Course completion consists of taking all of the core modules followed by 3 or more optional modules, however you may take all of the modules if you wish.

If you wish to register for the course, send an email to:  nws.oaa.clo.shymet AT noaa.gov
In the email, be sure to include your name and your office (site ID).

After you’ve registered via email, we will reply to you with setup instructions on how to signup for this course which will be delivered through the E-Learning Management System (LMS).

Training Modules


Core Courses:

Click the column heading at the top to reorder the columns - double click to switch ascending titles to descending.

Title Topic Instructor(s) Developed Updated Length (min) WMO Sat. Skill(s)
Mesoscale Analysis of Convective Weather Using GOES RSO Imagery Archived Training Dan Bikos 2001 2010 75
Use of GOES RSO imagery with other Remote Sensor Data for Diagnosing Severe Weather across the CONUS (RSO 3) Severe/Sat Dan Bikos 2003 2015 130
GOES Imagery for Forecasting Severe Weather Severe/Sat Dan Bikos 2008 75
Water Vapor Imagery Analysis for Severe Weather Severe/Sat Dan Bikos 2010 60
Synthetic Imagery in Forecasting Severe Weather Satellite Proving Ground Dan Bikos 2011 2015 30
Predicting Supercell Motion in Operations Severe/Sat Matthew Bunkers 2005 2020 75
Objective Satellite-Based Overshooting Top and Enhanced-V Anvil Thermal Couplet Signature Detection Archived Training Scott Lindstrom 2011 60

Optional Courses:


Click the column heading at the top to reorder the columns - double click to switch ascending titles to descending.

Title Topic Instructor(s) Developed Updated Length (min) WMO Sat. Skill(s)
1-minute Visible Satellite Imagery Applications for Severe Thunderstorms Severe/Sat Dan Bikos 2014 2015 22
NOAA/CIMSS ProbSevere Product Severe/Sat Scott Lindstrom 2014 2019 45
Tracking the Elevated Mixed Layer with a new GOES-R Water Vapor Band Severe Course Dan Bikos 2015 2019 20 3.2.3, 3.3.2, 5.1.5, 7.1-5
Can total lightning help with warnings for non-supercell tornadoes? Severe Course Ed Szoke 2015 2019 40
Monitoring Gulf Moisture Return Archived Training Dan Bikos 2005 45
Convective Cloud-top Cooling Archived Training Scott Lindstrom 2010 2013 45
Coastal Severe Convective Weather Severe Course Jeff Braun 2011 50
Topographically Induced Convergence Zones and Severe Weather Severe Course Jeff Braun 2011 25