Weather Observer, 15-1. Military Curriculum Materials for Vocational and Technical Education.

This course, adapted from military curriculum materials for use in vocational and technical education, was designed to upgrade an apprentice weather observer to the weather observer specialist level. Intended to be used in a laboratory or on-the-job learning situation, it contains both basic information needed for review and supervisory information. The course is divided into four volumes with accompanying student workbooks. Volume 1 on unit operations, equipment, and special topics contains two chapters covering meteorology, mathematics, and weather station equipment; while the second volume on surface weather observations and station operations contains two chapters covering observations as well as encoding and disseminating surface observations, with practice charts attached. In the third volume on weather plotting and communications, three chapters cover plotting weather charts, weather communications, as well as editing and electronic data processing. A supplemental volume of charts accompanies the volume. The final volume on upper air observations and tactical stations contains three chapters discussing pilot balloon observations, Rawinsonde Observations, and Rocketsonde and Dropsonde Observations. Each chapter contains objectives. readings, exercises, and answers for student self-study and evaluation. Volume review exercises (without answers) are available. Used in a self-study situation, the course is planned to give some background and advanced information on specific procedures used in meteorology and weather observation. (KC)