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Certificate of Climate Science Weather and Forecasting

The Certificate of Climate Science (Weather & Forecasting) provides the skills and knowledge required to understand long- and medium-term weather forecasting. On completion, you will have gained a foundational understanding of weather patterns and forecasting and their impact on people and industry.
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Start Anytime
Yes
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Delivery Method
100% Online
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Study Hours
50 hours
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Course Access
12 Months

Are you fascinated by the weather? Learn how to understand and predict weather patterns. This course is ideal professional development for anyone who relies on the weather, from farmers to horticulturalists and fishing enthusiasts.

The Certificate of Climate Science (Weather & Forecasting) is an online professional development course that will provide the skills and knowledge required to understand long and medium-term weather forecasting.

In this climate science course, you will study weather patterns and their impact on people and industry, important tools or forecasting, record, store and process weather data and the minimum requirements for a weather station.

You will discover the different types of forecasting, numerical weather prediction models, statistical, analogue and ensemble forecasting, how to predict rain, temperature and air conditions and the practical applications of forecasting weather.

On completion of this course, you will have gained a foundational understanding of weather patterns and forecasting and their impact on people and industry.

Printed learning materials may be available free to print for this course. Requests can be made by contacting us. 

Course Structure
Certificate of Climate Science Weather and Forecasting

Unit 1 – What to Measure

  • What is weather forecasting?
  • Weather warnings
  • Weather forecasting
  • Impacts to people
  • Impacts for farming
  • Weather factors
  • Cloud cover
  • Minimum temperature
  • Maximum temperature
  • Dry bulb temperature
  • Wet bulb temperature
  • Wind speed
  • Wind direction
  • Precipitation
  • Absolute humidity
  • Relative humidity
  • Dew point
  • Mean sea level pressure
  • Station level pressure
  • Water vapour pressure
  • UV index

Unit 2 – Tools for Forecasting

  • Equipment
  • Weather stations
  • Weather balloons and drones
  • Satellites
  • Recording, Storing and Processing Data
  • High Performance Computers
  • Numerical Weather Forecasting
  • What should be in a minimal weather station?

Unit 3 – Types of Forecasting

  • Persistence Forecasting
  • Climatological Forecasting
  • Use of a Barometer
  • Looking at the Sky
  • Nowcasting
  • Numerical Weather Prediction models
  • Statistical Forecasting
  • Analogue Forecasting
  • Ensemble Forecasting

Unit 4 – Weather Models

  • Weather models
  • Data sets and global weather models
  • ECMWF
  • GFS
  • How weather models are built
  • Grid size
  • Problems with the grid
  • How do parameterisations work?
  • Model uncertainty
  • Ensemble forecasts
  • Initial conditions in ensemble forecasting
  • Validation of ensemble forecasts
  • Data assimilation
  • Mesoscale/regional models
  • The human element of weather modelling

Unit 5 – Predicting Temperature

  • Tephigram
  • Diurnal temperature variation
  • Temperature lag
  • Forecasting maximum temperature
  • Forecasting minimum temperature
  • McKenzie’s method
  • Craddock and Pritchard’s method
  • Effect of snow cover
  • Severity of frost
  • Forecasting grass minimum temperature
  • Graphical method
  • Minimum temperature on road surfaces
  • Heat stress determination
  • Urban heat island

Unit 6 – Predicting Rain

  • Convection and showers
  • Forecasting convective cloud
  • Forecasting showers
  • Forecasting cumulonimbus and thunderstorms
  • Layer clouds and precipitation
  • Layer cloud formation
  • Condensation trails
  • Orographic rainfall
  • Formation of stratocumulus
  • Precipitation associated with layered clouds
  • Snow

Unit 7- Air Conditions

  • Air Quality
  • Air Pollution and Its Effect on Climate
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Methane
  • Airborne Chemicals
  • Air Particles
  • Pollen and Allergies
  • Radon
  • Wind and Turbulence
  • Mechanical Turbulence
  • Thermal Turbulence
  • Frontal Turbulence
  • Wind shear
  • Humidity
  • Visibility

Unit 8 – Practical Applications

  • Severe weather alerts
  • Aviation
  • Marine
  • Agriculture
  • Forestry
  • Utility Companies
  • Private Sector
  • Military
  • Medicine and Human Health
  • Waves and surges
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Estimated Duration
50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment

Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

Approval and Recognition

Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.

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Career Outcomes

Professional Development for:

  • Farmers
  • Horticulturalists
  • Fisherpersons
Enrol & start today
* Ts&Cs apply
Certificate of Climate Science Weather and Forecasting
$599.00
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About Us

At Australian Online Courses, we are passionate about helping individuals from diverse backgrounds achieve their career goals. Since 2008, we have created opportunities for people in Australia and around the world.

Our Difference

What sets us apart is that we genuinely care about your career development. That’s why flexible study schedules, competitive pricing and exceptional customer and student support are at the heart of what we do. Our comprehensive courses, developed in consultation with industry employers, provide the skills and knowledge necessary for success in your current role or to pursue new opportunities.

Our state-of-the-art eLearning platform means you can study anywhere, anytime. So, enrol today and get the skills and confidence you need to achieve your career dreams, big or small.

Graduation

A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.

How to Enrol

You can enrol online by clicking Get Started on any course page under Enrol & Start Today. Follow the prompts to complete your enrolment as an individual, business, or service provider.

Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)

Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)

Payment Options

Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.

Course FAQs

Why choose Australian Online Courses?
  • Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
  • Improve your employment opportunities;
  • Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
  • High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
  • All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
  • Unlimited tutor support via email;
  • We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
  • Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.

There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18 with a competent level of English. For those under 18, please complete the Parent/Guardian Consent Form before enrolling.

To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.

You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!

Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.

BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.

Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.

Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.

This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.

No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.

Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.

Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.

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