Introduction to Meteorology & Weather Forecasting

How do temperature, humidity, and pressure impact the weather you experience every day? In this two-part course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of meteorology and how to interpret and predict the weather happening right outside your door.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this course, you’ll have a better understanding of how to read and predict the weather. Along the way, you will learn…

• Basic meteorological concepts like temperature, humidity, and pressure

• What different clouds signal about changing weather patterns

• How to read and interpret weather maps

• Best practices for using and understanding home weather stations

• Practical knowledge of weather preparedness in Gallatin Valley

How You’ll Learn It

This course includes two in-person classes. To support your learning, a weather resistant notebook and a basic weather station will be provided to each registrant.

During the first class, you’ll ground in meteorology basics to better understand the variables that comprise the weather: What does temperature actually mean? Why is pressure important? And, what are all those squiggly lines and arrows on weather maps?

Then, in the second class, you’ll explore hands-on how to use different instruments, including your own home weather station, to interpret and forecast changes in weather. Finally, you’ll learn a bit about how to prepare for the more extreme weather phenomena we experience in the Gallatin Valley.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for adult learners of all ages and experience levels who are curious to better understand how to read and predict the weather. No prior experience is required. This is an intro class for those who may have some meteorology understanding but haven’t done a deep dive.

Workshop Details

When

Tuesday, June 23, and Thursday, June 25, 2026
6:15–8:15 PM

Where

MSU Bozeman, Norm Asbjornson Hall: Room #325
Free parking is available after 6:00 pm in the Bobcat lots (#13 and 15 on this map).

Registration Fee

$40

Instructor

Rhiannon Fleming is an outreach educator with Academic Technology and Outreach at MSU. She recently graduated with her Masters of Science in Science Education and focused on solar physics research for the past 4 years. Prior to moving to Montana, Rhiannon earned her Bachelors in Meteorology at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She is an avid voice for meteorology in rural locations, helping to get a radar installed at her former university to cover clear gaps in the farming community. In her free time, Rhiannon swims, sews and knits.

Questions

Contact Kelsye Gould, Continuing Education Program Manager, at 406-994-3062, kelsye.gould@montana.edu.