UW-Milwaukee: L&S Freshman Scholars Seminars

Fall 2008 Seminars

Atmospheric Sciences

The Art and Science of Weather Forecasting

Paul Roebber, Professor

Weather, whose underlying principles are more closely aligned with mathematical physics than the showmanship of the evening news, provides an excellent opportunity to present technically demanding science in a non-threatening way. Weather forecasting is based on a scientific fundamental: the formation and testing of hypotheses using theory and empirical data. The feedback is immediate, and often dramatic. The goal is to show that it is possible to make knowledgeable and skillful weather forecasts by combining technical and scientific skills with experience and intuition.

In 2007, I founded a new program at UWM called "Innovative Weather" (see www.innovativeweather.com) and a primary client is the electrical distribution operations group of We Energies. We will use this real-world setting to provide (hypothetical) weather support. Learning outcomes are the following: a deeper understanding of meteorology; improved oral and written communication of technical information to non-specialists; enhanced appreciation of the scientific method as it is actually practiced; and direct application of science to real world problems where value can be demonstrated.

The initial classes will cover meteorological fundamentals, the scientific forecast process, and oral and written communication. Then, theory will be put into practice: students will make realtime weather forecasts and the results will be verified in terms of benefit to the hypothetical energy client. A typical class will consist of a recap of the previous forecast, a student-led weather briefing and the forecast. This process is highly interactive, and involves student as well as faculty evaluations of content and presentation at each step.

Professor Roebber joined the UWM faculty in 1994. He has published over 30 papers and presented numerous talks at professional meetings that investigate methods to improve weather forecasting. Prior to being a member of the UWM faculty, Dr. Roebber was employed as a professional forecaster in Canada. He holds Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees in Meteorology from McGill University (Montreal, Canada) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Number: ATM SCI 194, SEM 002
Credits: 3NS
Time: MW 3:00pm-4:15pm
Place: MER 214
Class Number: 60227

© College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Freshman Scholars Program, PO Box 413, Holton Hall G18, Milwaukee, WI 53201
Send your questions and comments to L&S Web Team
Last Updated: May 8, 2008


Humanities Africology Celtic Studies Communication Comparative Literature English Ethnic Studies German History Italian Philosophy Women's Studies Natural Science Atmospheric Sciences Biological Sciences Geociences Physics Social Science Africology Anthropology Economics Political Science Psychology Sociology Cultural Diversity English		Fall 2008 Seminars Atmospheric Sciences The Art and Science of Weather Forecasting Paul Roebber, Professor Weather, whose underlying principles are more closely aligned with mathematical physics than the showmanship of the evening news, provides an excellent opportunity to present technically demanding science in a non-threatening way. Weather forecasting is based on a scientific fundamental: the formation and testing of hypotheses using theory and empirical data. The feedback is immediate, and often dramatic. The goal is to show that it is possible to make knowledgeable and skillful weather forecasts by combining technical and scientific skills with experience and intuition. In 2007, I founded a new program at UWM called "Innovative Weather" (see www.innovativeweather.com) and a primary client is the electrical distribution operations group of We Energies. We will use this real-world setting to provide (hypothetical) weather support. Learning outcomes are the following: a deeper understanding of meteorology; improved oral and written communication of technical information to non-specialists; enhanced appreciation of the scientific method as it is actually practiced; and direct application of science to real world problems where value can be demonstrated. The initial classes will cover meteorological fundamentals, the scientific forecast process, and oral and written communication. Then, theory will be put into practice: students will make realtime weather forecasts and the results will be verified in terms of benefit to the hypothetical energy client. A typical class will consist of a recap of the previous forecast, a student-led weather briefing and the forecast. This process is highly interactive, and involves student as well as faculty evaluations of content and presentation at each step. Professor Roebber joined the UWM faculty in 1994. He has published over 30 papers and presented numerous talks at professional meetings that investigate methods to improve weather forecasting. Prior to being a member of the UWM faculty, Dr. Roebber was employed as a professional forecaster in Canada. He holds Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees in Meteorology from McGill University (Montreal, Canada) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Number: ATM SCI 194, SEM 002 Credits: 3NS Time: MW 3:00pm-4:15pm Place: MER 214 Class Number: 60227 Check current enrollment information.
		Fall 2008 Freshman Seminars Freshman Scholars Program \| Freshman Advising Undergraduate Admissions \| Registration
© College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Freshman Scholars Program, PO Box 413, Holton Hall G18, Milwaukee, WI 53201 Send your questions and comments to L&S Web Team Last Updated: May 8, 2008