The FSU Local Forecast Contest is managed by means of a Unix-based program that requires participants to log in to the department server huey.met.fsu.edu. Users will log in using the command "ssh forecast@huey.met.fsu.edu". You will be prompted for a password that will be shared prior to each semester contest.

A user can log in using the Unix machines in MetLab (LOV307) or AtmosLab (LOV364). To log in from your own machine you will need a terminal window with a SSH (Secure SHell) program. Both Macintosh and Unix users have built in terminals in their operating systems. Windows users may find an SSH implementation at OpenSSH.org or as part of the Cygwin Project.

Once logged into the forecast account, you will need to enter your contest username and password. If you do not yet have a username and password, when prompted for them, enter a new username and a blank return for the password. If that identity does not exist, you will be asked if it should be created. A positive response will bring you to the user creation dialog. You may only join the contest if it is open to new enrollment. Contact the local contest manager with any questions.

Once sucessfully logged in with your contest ID, if the contest is open, you will be prompted for the High and Low temps, PoP (Probability of Precipitation), and Precipitation Category (see Scoring for more information). If the contest is not open, you will be shown the date of the next open contest window. A contest opens 24 hours before 00Z of the first verification date.

Forecasts are made for two sequential 24-hr periods opening on 06Z Saturday, closing 06Z Monday. You will enter forecast data for Tallahassee first (for both Saturday and Sunday) and then for the other contest city. Before your forecast is successfully submitted, you will be prompted to review your forecast. Forecasts must be entered before 00Z of the first verification date.

When you have finished making all the required forecasts, you will be logged out of the forecast contest software automatically. (If you logged into the forecast contest while already logged into huey, you will be returned to your huey shell prompt.)