Mountain Weather

Introduction to Weather

This introductory course is the first of two courses that focus on fundamental weather theory essential to understanding basic forecasts and internet-based weather resources. Taught by leading forecasters and avalanche practitioners in Canada, this course is designed for anyone interested in knowing more about weather, its behaviour in mountainous regions, and its connection with snow and avalanche conditions. It is also useful for students who wish to firm up their current knowledge.

Skills and knowledge will be taught to provide the base of knowledge essential for the Advanced Weather Skills course that focuses on the CAA's weather services for industry and specifically how to localize large-scale regional forecasts to make them more meaningful in an operational context. Students are introduced to publicly available tools and methods that help to assess any weather scenario over the mountains of western BC.

The majority of this two day course will take place in a classroom starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending at approximately 5:00 p.m. Refer to the Sample Schedule under "Related Links" for details.

Note: For the 2013/2014 avalanche season, the Introduction to Weather will become a prerequisite course to CAA’s Avalanche Operations Level 2 course (Level 2). Students must either enroll or have completed the Introduction to Weather course prior to applying and participating in Level 2 or have completed a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). For more information on the PLA process, refer to the PLA form under "Related Links" or contact our office for more information. 

Program Goals

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Define common weather terms and give examples;
  • Describe basic weather principles and observations;
  • Describe basic weather patterns in the global, synoptic, and regional scale;
  • Interpret weather resources;
  • Explain how weather conditions affect avalanche hazard.

Prerequisites

Participants must be 19 years of age or older.

Recommended Courses

  • CAA Avalanche Operations Level 1

Registration

On-line registration opens in early July. To register, click on the “Register now!” button in the right sidebar. Note that full payment will be taken at the time of on-line registration. Course dates and locations are posted in May.

NEW: You will be required to upload a scan of the following document during your registration process. Without it you will be unable to complete your registration. A scan can be a legible digital photo of the required document. A scan is needed of:

  • Proof of 19 years of age or older. Example: A copy of your Driver's License

Tuition

Tuition price $360

An additional $100 registration fee is applied to International Students.

Course Evaluation

There is an evaluation component to the course. A passing mark of 71% or over on the final exam must be obtained to complete the course successfully.

Course Equipment & Materials

Students are required to bring a laptop computer to the course. Student manuals will be sent to you prior to the course start date. Any pre-course materials must be completed prior to starting the course.

related links

course dates

If ALL course dates for a course are full, the CAA will take applicants to be put on a waiting list. A general e-mail will be sent out to the waiting list if a spot becomes open for one of the course dates.

Revelstoke, BC | Cost $360.00 CAD

Oct 26, 2013 to Oct 27, 2013

REGISTRATION OPENS Jul, 02 2013 at 09:30

Gaspe, QC | Cost $360.00 CAD

Nov 09, 2013 to Nov 10, 2013

REGISTRATION OPENS Jul, 02 2013 at 09:30

Squamish, BC | Cost $360.00 CAD

Nov 16, 2013 to Nov 17, 2013

REGISTRATION OPENS Jul, 02 2013 at 09:30

Montreal, QC | Cost $360.00 CAD

Nov 16, 2013 to Nov 17, 2013

REGISTRATION OPENS Jul, 02 2013 at 09:30