Aviation Meteorology Classes for University Students with an Experienced Operational Meteorologist

Dear Students, Welcome to Aviation Meteorology! I am delighted to be your instructor and look forward to sharing with you the fascinating world of weather and its importance to life. My name is Mary Vlachou, and I am an operational meteorologist with more than 25 years of professional experience in weather forecasting, severe weather monitoring, radar meteorology and nowcasting. I hold a First Class Honours degree in Physics and an MSc in Applied Meteorology from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. Throughout my career, I have worked in demanding operational environments, including the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, where I was involved in providing weather forecasts for the Athens 2004 Olympic sailing events. I currently work as a meteorologist and weather radar controller at the Centre for Meteorological Applications of the Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organisation. My work involves monitoring and assessing severe convective storms in real time, interpreting radar and satellite data, and making operational decisions where accurate and timely weather information is essential. Alongside my operational work, I have a strong interest in meteorological education and enjoy helping students understand not only the science behind atmospheric processes but also how weather affects real-life decisions. In this course, my aim is to make meteorology understandable, interesting and, above all, relevant to your future careers as pilots. We will explore the atmosphere, weather systems, clouds, turbulence, icing, thunderstorms, wind, visibility and the interpretation of aviation weather information. I believe that understanding meteorology is not simply about memorising definitions or learning weather codes. It is about developing the ability to interpret atmospheric conditions, recognise potential hazards and make informed decisions in the air. Please feel free to ask questions, share your experiences and participate actively in our lessons. There is always something new to discover about the atmosphere! I look forward to meeting you and wish you an enjoyable, engaging and successful learning experience. Best regards, Mary Vlachou Operational Meteorologist Aviation Meteorology Instructor (ICAO ATPL/PPL)