COMET® case studies in hydrometeorology training

Hydrometeorological training at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training (COMET®) covers a wide range of topics related to precipitation, atmospheric moisture, and watershed processes. Participants can enter at a very basic level to learn about the hydrologic cycle and the rainfall runoff process. More advanced topics include hydrologic models, streamflow routing, flash flood processes, unit hydrograph theory, and more specialized topics such as snow hydrology and river ice. To assist the learner in moving through the material in a logical and effective order, case scenarios are used to tie the various topics together.

Case scenarios are structured around real events for long term floods, short term flash floods, warm and cool season concerns, and impacts in both urban and non-urban watersheds. Many have been used in our residence training to embellish the lecture material with real-world events. The distance learning case scenarios will illustrate the impacts of excessive rains from land-falling hurricanes such as 2004's Ivan and Gaston. Other case scenarios from recent events will include flash floods in both urban and non urban settings in California, Nevada, Colorado, Kansas, Virginia, Maryland, and Texas. These cases are specifically designed to help the learner understand the physical process affecting runoff and watershed response during intense, short-duration precipitation. Urban watersheds are particularly prone to flash flooding during intense rainfall events due to more rapid and efficient runoff. Other cases will involve snow hydrology and the various considerations when forecasting the impact of snowmelt.