meteorology chapter 8 weather forecasting
straight
boundary between warm tropical air and cold polar air with zonal patterns is evenly distributed along a somewhat ______ path
prognostic charts
generalized forecast maps
6-12
how long the accuracy of persistence forecasting lasts
twice
how many times daily weather balloons are launched
300 and 200 mb maps
maps representing zones near the top of the troposphere
warm air advection
occurs along eastern seaboard of US; associated with widespread lifting in lower troposphere
cold air advection
occurs where winds blow across isotherms from colder areas to warmer areas
meridional patterns
patterns consisting of slow moving north to south flows, typically with heavy precipitation
zonal patterns
patterns depicting quickly moving westerlies
long range forecasts
produced by the Climate Prediction Center, a branch of the NWS, 30 and 90 day forecasts
TIROS 1
satellite launched in 1960, this was the first weather satellite...more than 30 versions have been launched through 2009
Polar-orbiting
satellites orbiting the poles
Infrared Satellites
satellites that work day or night, show temperature of cloud tops
900
the amount of automatic surface observation systems the NWS AND FAA operate
500 mb maps
the level of maps found approx. 5.5 km above sea level; these maps show upper level lows best
125
the number of regional weather forecast offices information from the national centers for environmental protection is disseminated to
four
the number of times a day the 10,000 land stations and 7000 sea stations and hundreds of data buoys report weather conditions a day
meridional patterns
the patterns more common than zonal
Forecasters
the people that blend information sent from progs with local conditions and regional weather to produce site specific forecasts
Percentage probability
the prediction of the occurrence of rainfall; this is fairly accurate
supercomputers
the technology that is utilized to make weather predictions, it is a must in today's data driven world
visible, infrared, and water vapor
the type of images provided by Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES)
temperature, cloudiness, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, wind direction
the variables weather forecasts express
6.7 micrometers
the wavelength of radiation emitted by water vapor
NWS
the weather group that produces generalized forecast maps
climatological forecasting
this method uses climate data
amount, time, and duration
though percentage probability is accurate, these three types of predictions within it are not reliable
850 and 700 millibar maps
weather maps finding areas of cold air and warm air advection with 850 millibars; winds at 750 mb level are used to predict movement of weather producers
upper level maps
weather maps generated twice daily; drawn at 850,700, 500, 300, and 300 mb levels and include isobars, isotherms, humidity, wind speed, wind direction as overlays
large weather systems
what GOES track
cooler
what higher clouds are seen as with infrared
jet stream
what is best observed at 300 and 200 mb levels
warmer
what lower clouds are seen as with infrared
troughs and ridges
what meridional patterns consist of
water vapor
what most of earth's radiation is emitted by
storms
what moves quickly across the country with a zonal flow
radiosondes
what weather balloons contain; lightweight instrument packs measuring temperature, humidity, and pressure
midnight and noon
when weather balloons are launched
National Centers for Environmental Prediction
A branch of the NWS that collects weather data from all over the world; constructs weather maps, chats, and national and global forecasts
Ensemble forecasting
A method producing a number of forecasts using the same computer model...it alters intial conditions while remaining within error range of the observational instruments
Geostationary
Satellites orbiting west to east over the equator
Visible Light Satellites
Satellites that only work during the day, have a higher resolution, and no temperatures
National Weather Service (NWS)
a branch of NOAA, the mission statement of this program is to provide weather and climate forecasts and warnings to the US territories and waters for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the economy
analog method
a forecasting method based on the assumption that weather repeats itself...forecasters attempt to find weather patterns
trend forecasting
a method determining the speed and direction of fronts, cyclones, clouds, and precipitation
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
a part of the United Nations that is responsible for the international exchange of weather data
synoptic weather maps
a picture of the atmosphere, means "coincident in time"
weather forecast
a scientific estimate of the weather conditions at some future time
Model Output Statistics
a statistical analysis of progs compares the accuracy of previous forecasts
persistence forecasting
a technique based on the tendency of weather to remain unchanged for hours or days
numerical weather prediction
a technique that uses mathematical model by entering temperature, wind speed, and direction, pressure, and humidity