"Job training empowers people to realize their dreams and improve their lives."
- Sylvia Mathews Burwell
This is my summary of our month-long virtual internship.
WEEK 1 (June 28 - July 02)
This is our first session for our midyear practicum this year. Our speaker discussed about seasonal forecasting. For this session, I learned that seasonal forecasting as different from the usual forecasting, is a forecast for a longer period of time ranging from 30 days up to one year which includes monthly outlooks of averaged weather parameters derived from climate values of a given forecast period. Seasonal forecasting is important because it helps not only local citizens but also farmers and businessmen to plan ahead. There are two types of seasonal forecast which are the deterministic and the probabilistic forecast. The deterministic forecast gives measures of a certain weather variable while the probabilistic gives probability of occurrence of the said variable. The speaker also discussed the process of making or producing a seasonal forecast which starts from data collection, downscaling, deliberation, decision, and finally, dissemination. Data collection includes determining the base climatology of a specific area, knowing the primary drivers of climate, and gathering of forecasts/maps from different Global Producing Centers (GPC). I also learned that to be able to get the anomaly, you have to subtract the base climatology from the actual event. The base climatology includes the climate type, etc. She gave us an activity per group where we would formulate our own seasonal forecast for the area given to us.
WEEK 2 (July 05 – July 09)
For this week’s first session, we had the continuation of the workshop with seasonal forecasting. We tackled about global circulation models which are tools used to simulate earth’s complicated physical processes. She also discussed El Nino Southern Oscillation or ENSO, it’s different indices or indicators like the SOI, ONI, OLR which we are already familiar with. She also included different websites that monitor ENSO outlook and sources of seasonal forecast information like the BOM, APCC, UK Metoffice, and many other; she also provided the links for each for us to access. The speaker also discussed the weather systems that are to be considered in making a seasonal forecast like the ENSO, the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and monsoons, which affects the weather and climate of a certain area just like the Philippines. For our activity, we had some sort of difficulty because there are no regional level options for the maps so it was a little hard to really give a probabilistic forecast for a smaller area.
For our second session this week, our speaker is from NDRRMC and he discussed about the role of NDRRMC in times of emergencies like typhoons. He also reviewed to us the different weather systems because it is important that the general public are aware of these systems, how they are formed and what are their possible effects or damages. He discussed about the monsoons in the Philippines, which are the Northeast and Southwest monsoons. The Southwest monsoon or the Habagat usually carries moisture from the atmosphere and thunderstorms are most likely to develop. I also learned from him that counting after you see the lightning pass until you hear the thunder will determine your distance from the lightning. One second corresponds to a kilometer and if you are within 3kms, it means it is not safe. Habagat can also develop big thunderstorms and rainfall because of the wind. During Habagat season, typhoons moving northwest during the peak season will be pushed back to the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile during Northeast Monsoon or Amihan, typhoons and low pressure areas are most likely to occur. One of the things I most remember on his talk is when he said that the role of a meteorologist is to provide the science so the DRRM can make counter measures. Also when he said the phrase “protecting ourselves and protecting our people”. At the end of the session he gave us an activity on estimating the time of landfall, start of rain, and start of wind.
WEEK 3 (July 12 – July 16)
For the third week, we started with the sessions on Numerical Weather Prediction Models or NWP and our speakers were from Manila Observatory. The first discussed the Introduction to Numerical Modeling. He discussed that a simple model, like any other processes, has an input and an output, and also has post processes as its components. Numerical models are used to simulate different weather and climate systems. In the Philippines, we have tropical and maritime climate and rainfall is the major driver of climate variability in the country and we are affected by synoptic systems like monsoons and tropical cyclones. He also reviewed us about the energy balance and the global atmospheric circulation. I learned that NWP models are important not only in weather forecasting but also in historical forecasts and projections, and also to understand the dynamics of either weather or climate phenomena. Global climate models solve mathematical representations of the dynamics and physical processes in the climate system and it is governed by continuity, momentum, and thermodynamic equations. The horizontal grid in the model represents latitude-longitude while the vertical grid represents height or pressure. The model grids are governed by these equations of motions and they balance forces acting in three dimensions. The model includes the atmosphere, land surface, ocean, ice sheet, and sea ice as its components but most NWPs only include the atmosphere while other components are fixed. I also learned the parameters included in the model such as the radiative transfer, cloud formation processes, topography, vegetation, and many more. I was also able to get insights about the initial and boundary conditions whereas the weather depends on initial conditions and climate depends on boundary conditions.
Our next session was about Introduction to Weather Forecasting and our speaker is from PAGASA or the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the atmosphere for a future time in a given location. To be able to come up with a weather forecast, you should have enough knowledge in meteorology combined with meteorological data. A weather forecast is a scientific estimate of future atmospheric condition while a weather condition is the state of the atmosphere at a given time of a significant weather variables. She also discussed the weather forecasting schemes which are as follows: assessing past conditions, assessing current weather conditions, project initial state into the future, and applying weather forecast information. We also tackled the forecast process which starts from observation, followed by collection and transmission of weather data, and then plotting and analysis of weather data and lastly the formulation of the forecast. We also discussed the different forecasting tools like weather maps, satellite imageries, GCMs, etc. and the different weather products of PAGASA.
WEEK 4 (July 19 – July 23)
For our last week, we focused on the group output on the WRF Model. Our speaker first discussed the procedures on how to run the model. I initially thought it’s going to be hard but it was way harder given the circumstances that we’re in. It would be better if we could actually do it but I still learned that it is important to make sure you input the accurate values needed in order to avoid errors.
In the last sessions of Broadcast Meteorology, our speaker is also from PAGASA. She shared her knowledge in weather forecasting especially radio broadcasting. She shared the proper dress code and gave us some tips on how to present yourself in TV or radio and on how to answer questions when asked about the forecast. It is important that you know the past events and you understand clearly the forecast so you will be able to answer it properly. She also said that it is important to know notable people in the industry and the correct station or network that you are working because it will really come in handy if ever such situation may arise. She also taught us some vocalization as it is important that you have your own tone that fits your broadcast, and the correct pacing is also important because it is essential that you show a sense of urgency. For all our sessions in broadcast meteorology, I learned that it is important that you love what you’re doing, that you have passion and dedication for it because hard work really pays off. We had the chance to experience broadcasting as part of our workshop and it really requires time and patience because it is not easy but it was a fun experience.
Let me end this with another quote from Albert Einstein, "The only source of knowledge is experience."
This virtual OJT is definitely not the best, but I am still grateful to people who put the effort to make it possible. I must say we deserve better, but I'm still happy because I learned from it somehow in the whole month of this experience. And it made me excited for what awaits me in the future; and that still, is in my hands.
Thank you for reading. :)
