Course: Forecasting Severe Convection (FSC I)

by Dr. Tomáš Púčik and Dr. Christoph Gatzen
24 – 28 April 2023
ESSL Research and Training Centre Wiener Neustadt, Austria

Púčik is as passionate about forecasting severe convective storms as one can be. And alongside his past experience in forecasting severe weather at the CHMI, at the SHMU, and at ESTOFEX, he is an active researcher in severe storm environments at the ESSL – Dr. Tomáš Púčik, our senior trainer for this seminar.

Each course day will consist of a morning lecture and of a practical afternoon exercise.

During the morning lectures you will work in depth on the following, as Tomáš Púčik says: 

“Basic concepts of (severe) convection forecasting are introduced with an emphasis on the ingredients based methodology. For each ingredient I will present its importance for the convection along its diagnosis and prognosis. A special emphasis is put on the identification of “lift” or the process of convective initiation. After the basic ingredients, we are going to look into vertical wind shear, especially on its influence on the different organisational forms of convection (single cells, multicells, supercells). For each form, we are going to investigate its basic conceptual model and relate it to the potential for severe weather. Further, we will concentrate on the synoptic and mesoscale patterns that are supportive of severe convection and negative factors that may degrade the severe convection risk. In the end, we are going to look at different types of severe weather, their link to the large-scale conditions and individual storm types.”

The four afternoon exercises will deal with interesting cases of severe convection in Europe. Dr. Tomáš Púčik:
“Afternoon exercises will involve forecasting convection either in the current situation or using past cases for different parts of Europe in the groups. After the forecast, a discussion will follow with an emphasis on the subject that was studied during the morning”.

Lecture and exercise times:
Mon 10:00 – 17:00
Tue 09:00 – 17:00
Wed 09:00 – 17:00
Thu 09:00 – 17:00
Fri 09:00 – 13:00, optional Testimonials 14:00 to 16:00

At the end of the course you will receive a participation certificate.

Additionally, you may take an exam to obtain a Testimonial.

Registration

If you have already registered but still need to pay, please follow one of the links below to pay by credit card. Registration is fixed after having received your participation fee and after confirmation from ESSL.

Prices for course (click on amount to pay) Early Fees
until 30 November 2022
Normal Fees
ESSL members and employees of institutional ESSL members EUR 1090 EUR 1290
Non ESSL members EUR 1290 EUR 1490

Bank Transfer

You may pay by bank transfer to the following account:

Beneficiary: European Severe Storms Laboratory – Science and Training
Bank: Sparkasse Baden
Bank address: Hauptplatz 15, 2500 Baden, Austria
SWIFT BIC: SPBDAT21XXX
IBAN: AT522020501000005999

With your transfer, please indicate “Course FSC-I fee” and your name so we can make sure that the transfer came from you.