Package

Understanding and Avoiding Thunderstorms

This is a two-date webinar. 3/18/25 and 3/25/25 - 7:30 pm
Thunderstorms can quickly spoil an outing in many ways—strong winds, large waves, dangerous lightning, waterspouts, or visibility-limiting rain. This in-depth two-session webinar will examine the various types of thunderstorms and the ingredients that lead to their formation.

This two-session (4 hour) webinar is designed for everyone who enjoys watersports (powerboaters, sailors, and paddlers) who would like to reduce their chances of a hair-raising or windswept encounter with a thunderstorm. It will explore why thunderstorms often ‘pop-up’ late on summer afternoons and why some storms have short life-spans while others persist for several hours. The two sessions will also introduce the many readily-available resources for forecasting and monitoring thunderstorms.  

You will learn the following during this in-depth two-session class:

  • A few basic weather principles.
  • How to decode the confusing symbols, color shading, and meteorological shorthand on weather forecast maps.
  • How to recognize the large and small-scale weather patterns that promote thunderstorm development.
  • The ingredients needed for thunderstorm development and their life-cycle.
  • How to forecast the potential and nature of severe weather.
  • The dynamics of lightning and a review of the latest advice on lightning protection for your boat.
  • How to use Doppler Weather Radar to assess the development, monitor the evolution, and track the movement of thunderstorms.
  • The terminology used by the National Weather Service during hazardous and severe weather events.

The sessions combine virtual classroom instruction, examples, and exercises to create an engaging learning experience.

PK207-j: Understanding and Avoiding Thunderstorms

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Meet The Instructor

Mark Thornton
Mark is one of the foremost marine weather authorities on the Great Lakes. In addition to teaching weather classes for GLCCSchool, he is also president of LakeErieWX, a company focused on providing marine weather training and forecasting for Great Lakes boaters.

Related Webinars

Understanding And Avoiding Thunderstorms - Part 1
Thunderstorms can quickly spoil an outing in many ways—strong winds, large waves, dangerous lightning, waterspouts, or visibility-limiting rain. This in-depth two-session webinar will examine the various types of thunderstorms and the ingredients that lead to their formation.
Understanding And Avoiding Thunderstorms - Part 2
Thunderstorms can quickly spoil an outing in many ways—strong winds, large waves, dangerous lightning, waterspouts, or visibility-limiting rain. This in-depth two-session webinar will examine the various types of thunderstorms and the ingredients that lead to their formation.
Weather Forecasting Apps
There are plenty of apps devoted to marine weather observations and forecasting. Let marine forecaster, Mark Thornton, help you to sort out the strengths and weaknesses of several popular marine weather apps.