Diploma in Tactical Prediction and Aeronautical Nowcasting
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in tactical forecasting and aeronautical nowcasting. 8 modules covering very short-range forecasting, weather radar and satellite observation, nowcasting techniques, tactical forecasting for operations, ATM and airline integration and verification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Tactical Prediction and Aeronautical Nowcasting — studying from Canada
Canada has a substantial aerospace sector, anchored in Montréal and Québec City, with major manufacturers and suppliers such as Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney Canada and CAE. Ontario's Greater Toronto and Ottawa regions host avionics, satellite and space technology firms, while the Canadian Space Agency coordinates national space programmes, including robotics for the International Space Station. Urban air mobility and drone operations are emerging under Transport Canada's regulatory framework. Engineers in this area typically work on airframe design, systems integration, certification and space mission support.
Fees for Canada: C$2,790 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Does a SEIUM qualification give me recognition with Canadian professional bodies for aerospace work?
Not automatically. In Canada, engineering is regulated by provincial and territorial associations such as Professional Engineers Ontario, which licence Professional Engineers (P.Eng.). SEIUM qualifications are private and are not official state degrees, so they do not confer P.Eng. status or accreditation. Recognition by employers or other bodies is decided case by case, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Will Canadian aerospace, drone or space employers value this training?
Employer valuation depends on the specific employer and role. Canada has a sizeable aerospace sector, including companies in Quebec, Ontario and Western Canada, and employers generally judge candidates on demonstrated skills, projects and experience. SEIUM's final project can serve as evidence of capability, but whether a private qualification carries weight is for each employer to decide. Discuss your goals with prospective employers.
Can I study this alongside a full-time job in Canada, and what about language?
Yes, the programmes are 100% online, so you can study from home at your own pace around work. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly time accordingly. Teaching is in English, and each student has an assigned technical tutor. Employer sponsorship and fees payable in instalments may help, depending on your circumstances.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the fundamentals of very short-range forecasting.
Interpret Doppler and dual-polarisation weather radar data.
Analyse satellite and lightning detection products.
Apply extrapolation and probabilistic nowcasting techniques.
Produce tactical forecasts for airport operations.
Integrate meteorological information into air traffic management.
Verify nowcasting systems with objective metrics.
Who it's for
- Aeronautical meteorologists looking to deepen their expertise in tactical forecasting and nowcasting.
- Operational forecasters working at aerodromes or meteorological watch offices.
- Meteorological data scientists building short-range forecasting tools.
- Operations centre technicians at airlines, airports or air navigation service providers.
- ATM meteorology specialists supporting flow and capacity management.
- Researchers in short-range forecasting.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter meteorological services.
What you'll work with
- ICAO Annex 3 (Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373 (Part-MET) (requirements for meteorological service providers)
- ICAO Doc 8896 (Manual of Aeronautical Meteorological Practice)
- WMO-No. 49 Technical Regulations, Volume II (meteorological service for international air navigation)
- WMO-No. 1198 (Guidelines for Nowcasting Techniques)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/116 (CP1) (Common Project One)
- ISO 9001:2015 (quality management systems)
- pySTEPS
- NWC SAF GEO
- Python (MetPy/xarray)
- IDV (Unidata)
- Py-ART
8 modules
1.1Timescales: nowcasting versus forecasting1.2Needs of aeronautical users1.3Predictability of convective phenomena1.4Available observation sources1.5TAF and TREND aerodrome forecasts1.6Aerodrome and wind shear warnings1.7Nowcasting products in Europe1.8Forecast verification1.9Economic value of forecasting1.10Workshop: comparing TAFs with real observations
2.1Principles of Doppler radar2.2Reflectivity and precipitation estimation2.3Radial velocity and mesocyclone detection2.4Dual-polarisation radar2.5Hydrometeor classification2.6National radar composites2.7Non-meteorological echoes and their filtering2.8Cell tracking with TITAN2.9TDWR airport radars2.10Practical: identifying convective structures on radar
3.1Meteosat MTG geostationary satellites3.2Visible, infrared and water vapour channels3.3NWC SAF RDT convection products3.4Detection of fog and low cloud3.5Satellite-based lightning imagers3.6Ground-based lightning detection networks3.7Satellite-derived winds3.8Icing and cloud-top height products3.9Satellite and radar fusion3.10Laboratory: tracking a convective system with MTG
4.1Optical flow extrapolation4.2Lagrangian advection methods4.3Probabilistic precipitation nowcasting4.4Convective initiation detection4.5Blending with numerical models4.6High-resolution limited-area models4.7Rapid data assimilation4.8Deep learning for nowcasting4.9Ensembles and uncertainty quantification4.10Practical: precipitation nowcasting with pySTEPS
5.1Convection in the terminal area5.2Fog and visibility at aerodromes5.3Surface wind and crosswind components5.4Wind shear and convective gusts5.5En-route thunderstorm forecasting5.6Meteorological products for controllers5.7Integration into air traffic flow management5.8Airport closure decisions5.9Communication with operations centres5.10Case study: managing an afternoon of thunderstorms at a hub
6.1Meteorology in SWIM and IWXXM6.2Weather information in the cockpit6.3Diversion and fuel planning6.4Convection avoidance tools6.5Collaborative management during weather events6.6Reduced-capacity scenarios6.7SESAR meteorology projects6.8Measuring the impact of weather on delays6.9MET data quality requirements6.10Laboratory: impact of convection on sector capacity
7.1Categorical metrics: POD, FAR and CSI7.2Probabilistic and ensemble verification7.3Object-oriented spatial verification7.4Evaluation with operational users7.5Case studies and feedback7.6Quality management of the MET service7.7Certification of MET providers7.8Forecaster training7.9Trends in operational forecasting7.10Case study: verifying a nowcasting system
8.1Definition of the case and aerodrome8.2Collection of observation data8.3Selection of nowcasting techniques8.4Implementation of the forecast8.5Verification with objective metrics8.6Products for operational users8.7Assessment of the impact on operations8.8Improvement proposals8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is pySTEPS, NWC SAF GEO, Python (MetPy/xarray), IDV (Unidata) and Py-ART, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Real procedures are studied: convection nowcasting in terminal areas, verification of aerodrome forecasts and integration of meteorological information into flow management. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ICAO Annex 3; Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373 (Part-MET); ICAO Doc 8896; WMO-No. 49 Technical Regulations, Volume II; WMO-No. 1198; Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/116 (CP1); ISO 9001:2015.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with pySTEPS, NWC SAF GEO, Python (MetPy/xarray), IDV (Unidata), Py-ART, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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