Student-led map discussions will begin on September 3 with each student participating in two discussions, which will be worth 15% of your grade. Attention and participation in each discussion will also be noted and graded.

These discussions are designed to give you the opportunity to show what you have learned about the weather and will go hand-in-hand with the scientific concepts discussed in class.

Map discussion should generally touch on each of the following weather analysis and forecasting questions:

1. What happened?

2. Why did it happen?

3. What is happening?

4. Why is it happening?

5. What is going to happen?

6. Why is it going to happen?

Dynamical reasoning should be used when answering questions 2, 4, and 6. For example, jet streaks are something to get excited about. But why should we care where the jet is located, and what is the dynamical reasoning for jet streaks being of interest?

Students may use any web-based or locally-generated products to display observational data and model forecasts. The Weather Links on my home page is also a good place for a variety of weather-related links.

In addition to addressing the questions above, during map discussion you must show and describe one new map (i.e., one that neither myself or any other student has already talked about) and one map you made yourself (e.g., from Python, ESRL, a hand-drawn schematic, etc.).

All interesting weather occurring anywhere on the globe may be discussed, but you should make sure to save at least a few minutes at the end of discussion to talk specifically about the Albany weather.