Weather forecasting: Difference between revisions
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Richardson envisioned a large auditorium of thousands of people performing the calculations and passing them to others. However, the sheer number of calculations required was too large to be completed without the use of computers, and the size of the grid and time steps led to unrealistic results in deepening systems. It was later found, through numerical analysis, that this was due to [[numerical instability]].<ref>[[Peter Lynch (meteorologist)|Lynch, Peter]] (2006). The Emergence of Numerical Weather Prediction. Cambridge U.P.</ref> The first computerised weather forecast was performed by a team led by the mathematician [[John von Neumann]]; von Neumann publishing the paper ''Numerical Integration of the Barotropic Vorticity Equation'' in 1950.<ref>Charney, Fjörtoft and von Neumann, 1950, Numerical Integration of the Barotropic Vorticity Equation |
Richardson envisioned a large auditorium of thousands of people performing the calculations and passing them to others. However, the sheer number of calculations required was too large to be completed without the use of computers, and the size of the grid and time steps led to unrealistic results in deepening systems. It was later found, through numerical analysis, that this was due to [[numerical instability]].<ref>[[Peter Lynch (meteorologist)|Lynch, Peter]] (2006). The Emergence of Numerical Weather Prediction. Cambridge U.P.</ref> The first computerised weather forecast was performed by a team led by the mathematician [[John von Neumann]]; von Neumann publishing the paper ''Numerical Integration of the Barotropic Vorticity Equation'' in 1950.<ref>Charney, Fjörtoft and von Neumann, 1950, Numerical Integration of the Barotropic Vorticity Equation |
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Tellus, 2, 237-254</ref> Practical use of numerical weather prediction began in 1955,<ref>Paul N. Edwards. [http://www.aip.org/history/sloan/gcm/ Atmospheric General Circulation Modeling.] Retrieved on 2007-02-16.</ref> spurred by the development of programmable electronic [[computer]]s. |
Tellus, 2, 237-254</ref> Practical use of numerical weather prediction began in 1955,<ref>Paul N. Edwards. [http://www.aip.org/history/sloan/gcm/ Atmospheric General Circulation Modeling.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325084036/http://www.aip.org/history/sloan/gcm/ |date=2008-03-25 }} Retrieved on 2007-02-16.</ref> spurred by the development of programmable electronic [[computer]]s. |
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===Broadcasts=== |
===Broadcasts=== |
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{{Main article|Numerical weather prediction}} |
{{Main article|Numerical weather prediction}} |
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The basic idea of numerical weather prediction is to sample the state of the fluid at a given time and use the equations of [[fluid dynamics]] and [[thermodynamics]] to estimate the state of the fluid at some time in the future. The main inputs from country-based weather services are surface observations from automated [[weather station]]s at ground level over land and from weather buoys at sea. The [[World Meteorological Organization]] acts to standardize the instrumentation, observing practices and timing of these observations worldwide. Stations either report hourly in [[METAR]] reports,<ref>[[National Climatic Data Center]]. [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/conversion/swometardecoder.html Key to METAR Surface Weather Observations.] Retrieved on 2008-03-09.</ref> or every six hours in [[SYNOP]] reports.<ref>[[UNISYS]]. [http://weather.unisys.com/wxp/Appendices/Formats/SYNOP.html SYNOP Data Format (FM-12): Surface Synoptic Observations.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> Sites launch [[radiosonde]]s, which rise through the depth of the [[troposphere]] and well into the [[stratosphere]].<ref>Gaffen, Dian J. (2007-06-07). [ |
The basic idea of numerical weather prediction is to sample the state of the fluid at a given time and use the equations of [[fluid dynamics]] and [[thermodynamics]] to estimate the state of the fluid at some time in the future. The main inputs from country-based weather services are surface observations from automated [[weather station]]s at ground level over land and from weather buoys at sea. The [[World Meteorological Organization]] acts to standardize the instrumentation, observing practices and timing of these observations worldwide. Stations either report hourly in [[METAR]] reports,<ref>[[National Climatic Data Center]]. [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/conversion/swometardecoder.html Key to METAR Surface Weather Observations.] Retrieved on 2008-03-09.</ref> or every six hours in [[SYNOP]] reports.<ref>[[UNISYS]]. [http://weather.unisys.com/wxp/Appendices/Formats/SYNOP.html SYNOP Data Format (FM-12): Surface Synoptic Observations.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230100059/http://weather.unisys.com/wxp/Appendices/Formats/SYNOP.html |date=2007-12-30 }} Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> Sites launch [[radiosonde]]s, which rise through the depth of the [[troposphere]] and well into the [[stratosphere]].<ref>Gaffen, Dian J. (2007-06-07). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070607142822/http://www.aero.jussieu.fr/~sparc/News12/Radiosondes.html Radiosonde Observations and Their Use in SPARC-Related Investigations.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> Data from [[weather satellite]]s are used in areas where traditional data sources are not available.<ref>[[NASA]]. [http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/globalir.html Interactive Global Composite Weather Satellite Images.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref><ref>[[NOAA]]. [http://www.goes.noaa.gov/ECIR4.html Goes Eastern US Sector Infrared Image.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref><ref>[[Met Office]]. [http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/nwp/satellite/ Satellite applications.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> Compared with similar data from radiosondes, the satellite data has the advantage of global coverage, however at a lower accuracy and resolution.<ref>Tony Reale. [http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/itwg/itsc/itsc12/presentations/1a4_T.Reale.ppt ATOVS Sounding Products (ITSVC-12).] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> [[Weather radar|Meteorological radar]] provide information on precipitation location and intensity, which can be used to estimate precipitation accumulations over time.<ref>Andrew Treloar and Peter Brookhouse. [http://www.csu.edu.au/special/bushfire99/papers/treloar/ The use of accumulated rainfall maps from weather radar systems to assist wildfire detection reconnaissance.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> Additionally, if a [[Pulse-Doppler radar|pulse Doppler]] [[weather radar]] is used then wind speed and direction can be determined.<ref>University of Washington. [http://www.artsci.washington.edu/news/WinterSpring03/Forecast.htm An improving forecast.] Retrieved on 2007-04-15</ref> |
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[[File:2005-09-22-10PM CDT Hurricane Rita 3 day path.png|right|thumb|Modern weather predictions aid in timely evacuations and potentially save lives and prevent property damage]] |
[[File:2005-09-22-10PM CDT Hurricane Rita 3 day path.png|right|thumb|Modern weather predictions aid in timely evacuations and potentially save lives and prevent property damage]] |
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Commerce provides [[pilot report]]s along aircraft routes,<ref>Ballish, Bradley A. and V. Krishna Kumar (2008-05-23). [http://amdar.noaa.gov/docs/bams_ballish_kumar.pdf Investigation of Systematic Differences in Aircraft and Radiosonde Temperatures with Implications for NWP and Climate Studies.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> and ship reports along shipping routes. Research flights using [[weather reconnaissance|reconnaissance aircraft]] fly in and around weather systems of interest such as [[tropical cyclone]]s.<ref name="Hurricane Hunters">{{cite web|author=403rd Wing|year=2011|url=http://www.hurricanehunters.com|title=The Hurricane Hunters|publisher=[[Hurricane Hunters|53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron]]|accessdate=2006-03-30}}</ref><ref name="SunHerald">{{cite news|author=Lee, Christopher|title=Drone, Sensors May Open Path Into Eye of Storm|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/07/AR2007100700971_pf.html|publisher=The Washington Post|accessdate=2008-02-22}}</ref> Reconnaissance aircraft are also flown over the open oceans during the cold season into systems which cause significant uncertainty in forecast guidance, or are expected to be of high impact 3–7 days into the future over the downstream continent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100112_plane.html|title=NOAA Dispatches High-Tech Research Plane to Improve Winter Storm Forecasts|date=2010-11-12|accessdate=2010-12-22|author=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref> |
Commerce provides [[pilot report]]s along aircraft routes,<ref>Ballish, Bradley A. and V. Krishna Kumar (2008-05-23). [http://amdar.noaa.gov/docs/bams_ballish_kumar.pdf Investigation of Systematic Differences in Aircraft and Radiosonde Temperatures with Implications for NWP and Climate Studies.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> and ship reports along shipping routes. Research flights using [[weather reconnaissance|reconnaissance aircraft]] fly in and around weather systems of interest such as [[tropical cyclone]]s.<ref name="Hurricane Hunters">{{cite web|author=403rd Wing|year=2011|url=http://www.hurricanehunters.com|title=The Hurricane Hunters|publisher=[[Hurricane Hunters|53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron]]|accessdate=2006-03-30}}</ref><ref name="SunHerald">{{cite news|author=Lee, Christopher|title=Drone, Sensors May Open Path Into Eye of Storm|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/07/AR2007100700971_pf.html|publisher=The Washington Post|accessdate=2008-02-22}}</ref> Reconnaissance aircraft are also flown over the open oceans during the cold season into systems which cause significant uncertainty in forecast guidance, or are expected to be of high impact 3–7 days into the future over the downstream continent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100112_plane.html|title=NOAA Dispatches High-Tech Research Plane to Improve Winter Storm Forecasts|date=2010-11-12|accessdate=2010-12-22|author=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref> |
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Models are ''initialized'' using this observed data. The irregularly spaced observations are processed by [[data assimilation]] and objective analysis methods, which perform quality control and obtain values at locations usable by the model's mathematical algorithms (usually an evenly spaced grid). The data are then used in the model as the starting point for a forecast.<ref>[[University Corporation for Atmospheric Research]] (2007-08-14). [ |
Models are ''initialized'' using this observed data. The irregularly spaced observations are processed by [[data assimilation]] and objective analysis methods, which perform quality control and obtain values at locations usable by the model's mathematical algorithms (usually an evenly spaced grid). The data are then used in the model as the starting point for a forecast.<ref>[[University Corporation for Atmospheric Research]] (2007-08-14). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070814044336/http://www.mmm.ucar.edu/wrf/WG4/wrfvar/wrfvar-tutorial.htm The WRF Variational Data Assimilation System (WRF-Var).] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> Commonly, the set of equations used to predict the known as the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere are called [[primitive equations]]. These equations are initialized from the analysis data and rates of change are determined. The rates of change predict the state of the atmosphere a short time into the future. The equations are then applied to this new atmospheric state to find new rates of change, and these new rates of change predict the atmosphere at a yet further time into the future. This ''time stepping'' procedure is continually repeated until the solution reaches the desired forecast time. The length of the time step is related to the distance between the points on the computational grid. |
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The length of the time step chosen within the model is related to the distance between the points on the computational grid, and is chosen to maintain [[numerical stability]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Pielke|first=Roger A.|title=Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling|year=2002|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|isbn=0-12-554766-8|pages=285–287}}</ref> Time steps for global models are on the order of tens of minutes,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=JZikIbXzipwC&pg=PA131&lpg=PA131&dq=time+step+numerical+weather+prediction#v=onepage&q=time%20step%20numerical%20weather%20prediction&f=false|page=132|title=Computational Science – ICCS 2005: 5th International Conference, Atlanta, GA, USA, May 22–25, 2005, Proceedings, Part 1|author1=Sunderam, V. S. |author2=van Albada, G. Dick |author3=Peter, M. A. |author4=Sloot, J. J. Dongarra |year=2005|accessdate=2011-01-02|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-540-26032-5}}</ref> while time steps for regional models are between one and four minutes.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=UV6PnF2z5_wC&pg=PA276&dq=time+step+WRF+weather#v=onepage&q=time%20step%20WRF%20weather&f=false|page=276|title=Developments in teracomputing: proceedings of the ninth ECMWF Workshop on the Use of High Performance Computing in Meteorology|author=Zwieflhofer, Walter; Kreitz, Norbert; European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts|year=2001|accessdate=2011-01-02|publisher=World Scientific|isbn=978-981-02-4761-4}}</ref> The global models are run at varying times into the future. The [[Met Office]]'s [[Unified Model]] is run six days into the future,<ref name="models">{{cite book|pages=295–296|url=https://books.google.com/?id=6gFiunmKWWAC&pg=PA297&dq=hours+time+used+to+run+ECMWF+model#v=onepage&q=hours%20time%20used%20to%20run%20ECMWF%20model&f=false|title=Global Perspectives on Tropical Cyclones: From Science to Mitigation|author1=Chan, Johnny C. L. |author2=Jeffrey D. Kepert |lastauthoramp=yes |year=2010|publisher=World Scientific|isbn=978-981-4293-47-1|accessdate=2011-02-24}}</ref> the [[European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts]] model is run out to 10 days into the future,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=fhW5oDv3EPsC&pg=PA474&dq=time+used+to+run+ECMWF+model#v=onepage&q&f=false|page=480|author=Holton, James R.|title=An introduction to dynamic meteorology, Volume 1|year=2004|publisher=Academic Press|accessdate=2011-02-24|isbn=978-0-12-354015-7}}</ref> while the [[Global Forecast System]] model run by the [[Environmental Modeling Center]] is run 16 days into the future.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=mTZvR3R6YdkC&pg=PA121&dq=how+long+does+it+take+to+run+the+GFS+global+weather+model+book#v=onepage&q&f=false|page=121|title=Famine early warning systems and remote sensing data|author=Brown, Molly E.|publisher=Springer|year=2008|accessdate=2011-02-24|isbn=978-3-540-75367-4}}</ref> The visual output produced by a model solution is known as a [[prognostic chart]], or ''prog''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Ahrens, C. Donald|page=244|isbn=978-0-495-11558-8|year=2008|publisher=Cengage Learning|title=Essentials of meteorology: an invitation to the atmosphere|url=https://books.google.com/?id=2Yn29IFukbgC&pg=PA244&lpg=PA244&dq=regional+weather+forecast+model+characteristics+book#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=2011-02-11}}</ref> The raw output is often modified before being presented as the forecast. This can be in the form of statistical techniques to remove known [[bias]]es in the model, or of adjustment to take into account consensus among other numerical weather forecasts.<ref>Daniel Andersson. [http://www.diva-portal.org/his/abstract.xsql?dbid=312 Improved accuracy of surrogate models using output postprocessing.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> MOS or model output statistics is a technique used to interpret numerical model output and produce site-specific guidance. This guidance is presented in coded numerical form, and can be obtained for nearly all National Weather Service reporting stations in the United States. As proposed by [[Edward Lorenz]] in 1963, long range forecasts, those made at a range of two weeks or more, are impossible to definitively predict the state of the atmosphere, owing to the [[chaos theory|chaotic nature]] of the [[fluid dynamics]] equations involved. In numerical models, extremely small errors in initial values double roughly every five days for variables such as temperature and wind velocity.<ref>{{cite book|title=Storm Watchers|pages=222–224|year=2002|author=Cox, John D.|publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Inc.|isbn=0-471-38108-X}}</ref> |
The length of the time step chosen within the model is related to the distance between the points on the computational grid, and is chosen to maintain [[numerical stability]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Pielke|first=Roger A.|title=Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling|year=2002|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|isbn=0-12-554766-8|pages=285–287}}</ref> Time steps for global models are on the order of tens of minutes,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=JZikIbXzipwC&pg=PA131&lpg=PA131&dq=time+step+numerical+weather+prediction#v=onepage&q=time%20step%20numerical%20weather%20prediction&f=false|page=132|title=Computational Science – ICCS 2005: 5th International Conference, Atlanta, GA, USA, May 22–25, 2005, Proceedings, Part 1|author1=Sunderam, V. S. |author2=van Albada, G. Dick |author3=Peter, M. A. |author4=Sloot, J. J. Dongarra |year=2005|accessdate=2011-01-02|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-540-26032-5}}</ref> while time steps for regional models are between one and four minutes.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=UV6PnF2z5_wC&pg=PA276&dq=time+step+WRF+weather#v=onepage&q=time%20step%20WRF%20weather&f=false|page=276|title=Developments in teracomputing: proceedings of the ninth ECMWF Workshop on the Use of High Performance Computing in Meteorology|author=Zwieflhofer, Walter; Kreitz, Norbert; European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts|year=2001|accessdate=2011-01-02|publisher=World Scientific|isbn=978-981-02-4761-4}}</ref> The global models are run at varying times into the future. The [[Met Office]]'s [[Unified Model]] is run six days into the future,<ref name="models">{{cite book|pages=295–296|url=https://books.google.com/?id=6gFiunmKWWAC&pg=PA297&dq=hours+time+used+to+run+ECMWF+model#v=onepage&q=hours%20time%20used%20to%20run%20ECMWF%20model&f=false|title=Global Perspectives on Tropical Cyclones: From Science to Mitigation|author1=Chan, Johnny C. L. |author2=Jeffrey D. Kepert |lastauthoramp=yes |year=2010|publisher=World Scientific|isbn=978-981-4293-47-1|accessdate=2011-02-24}}</ref> the [[European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts]] model is run out to 10 days into the future,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=fhW5oDv3EPsC&pg=PA474&dq=time+used+to+run+ECMWF+model#v=onepage&q&f=false|page=480|author=Holton, James R.|title=An introduction to dynamic meteorology, Volume 1|year=2004|publisher=Academic Press|accessdate=2011-02-24|isbn=978-0-12-354015-7}}</ref> while the [[Global Forecast System]] model run by the [[Environmental Modeling Center]] is run 16 days into the future.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=mTZvR3R6YdkC&pg=PA121&dq=how+long+does+it+take+to+run+the+GFS+global+weather+model+book#v=onepage&q&f=false|page=121|title=Famine early warning systems and remote sensing data|author=Brown, Molly E.|publisher=Springer|year=2008|accessdate=2011-02-24|isbn=978-3-540-75367-4}}</ref> The visual output produced by a model solution is known as a [[prognostic chart]], or ''prog''.<ref>{{cite book|author=Ahrens, C. Donald|page=244|isbn=978-0-495-11558-8|year=2008|publisher=Cengage Learning|title=Essentials of meteorology: an invitation to the atmosphere|url=https://books.google.com/?id=2Yn29IFukbgC&pg=PA244&lpg=PA244&dq=regional+weather+forecast+model+characteristics+book#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=2011-02-11}}</ref> The raw output is often modified before being presented as the forecast. This can be in the form of statistical techniques to remove known [[bias]]es in the model, or of adjustment to take into account consensus among other numerical weather forecasts.<ref>Daniel Andersson. [http://www.diva-portal.org/his/abstract.xsql?dbid=312 Improved accuracy of surrogate models using output postprocessing.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> MOS or model output statistics is a technique used to interpret numerical model output and produce site-specific guidance. This guidance is presented in coded numerical form, and can be obtained for nearly all National Weather Service reporting stations in the United States. As proposed by [[Edward Lorenz]] in 1963, long range forecasts, those made at a range of two weeks or more, are impossible to definitively predict the state of the atmosphere, owing to the [[chaos theory|chaotic nature]] of the [[fluid dynamics]] equations involved. In numerical models, extremely small errors in initial values double roughly every five days for variables such as temperature and wind velocity.<ref>{{cite book|title=Storm Watchers|pages=222–224|year=2002|author=Cox, John D.|publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Inc.|isbn=0-471-38108-X}}</ref> |
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===Looking at the sky=== |
===Looking at the sky=== |
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[[File:marestail.jpg|frame|right|Marestail shows moisture at high altitude, signalling the later arrival of wet weather.]] |
[[File:marestail.jpg|frame|right|Marestail shows moisture at high altitude, signalling the later arrival of wet weather.]] |
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Along with pressure tendency, the condition of the sky is one of the more important parameters used to forecast weather in mountainous areas. Thickening of cloud cover or the invasion of a higher cloud deck is indicative of rain in the near future. At night, high thin [[cirrostratus cloud]]s can lead to [[halo (optical phenomenon)|halo]]s around the [[moon]], which indicates an approach of a [[warm front]] and its associated [[rain]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/?id=KtkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA148&dq=halo+use+in+weather+forecasting+book#v=onepage&q=halo%20use%20in%20weather%20forecasting%20book&f=false|journal=[[Popular Mechanics]]|page=148|title=Make Your Own Weather Forecasts|author=Dennis Eskow|date=March 1983|accessdate=2011-04-02|volume=159|issue=3}}</ref> Morning [[fog]] portends fair conditions, as rainy conditions are preceded by wind or clouds which prevent fog formation. The approach of a line of [[thunderstorm]]s could indicate the approach of a [[cold front]]. Cloud-free skies are indicative of fair weather for the near future.<ref>Mark Moore (2009-03-25). [ |
Along with pressure tendency, the condition of the sky is one of the more important parameters used to forecast weather in mountainous areas. Thickening of cloud cover or the invasion of a higher cloud deck is indicative of rain in the near future. At night, high thin [[cirrostratus cloud]]s can lead to [[halo (optical phenomenon)|halo]]s around the [[moon]], which indicates an approach of a [[warm front]] and its associated [[rain]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/?id=KtkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA148&dq=halo+use+in+weather+forecasting+book#v=onepage&q=halo%20use%20in%20weather%20forecasting%20book&f=false|journal=[[Popular Mechanics]]|page=148|title=Make Your Own Weather Forecasts|author=Dennis Eskow|date=March 1983|accessdate=2011-04-02|volume=159|issue=3}}</ref> Morning [[fog]] portends fair conditions, as rainy conditions are preceded by wind or clouds which prevent fog formation. The approach of a line of [[thunderstorm]]s could indicate the approach of a [[cold front]]. Cloud-free skies are indicative of fair weather for the near future.<ref>Mark Moore (2009-03-25). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090325034756/http://www.nwac.us/education_resources/Field_forecasting.pdf Field Forecasting - A Short Summary.] Retrieved on 2012-02-15.</ref> A [[Bar (tropical cyclone)|bar]] can indicate a coming tropical cyclone. The use of sky cover in weather prediction has led to various [[weather lore]] over the centuries.<ref>Jerry Wilson. [http://wilstar.com/skywatch.htm#indicators Skywatch: Signs of the Weather.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> |
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===Nowcasting=== |
===Nowcasting=== |
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===Severe weather alerts and advisories=== |
===Severe weather alerts and advisories=== |
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A major part of modern weather forecasting is the severe weather alerts and advisories which the national weather services issue in the case that severe or hazardous weather is expected. This is done to protect life and property.<ref>[[National Weather Service]]. [http://www.weather.gov/mission.shtml National Weather Service Mission Statement.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> Some of the most commonly known of severe weather advisories are the [[Severe thunderstorm warning|severe thunderstorm]] and [[tornado warning]], as well as the [[Severe thunderstorm watch|severe thunderstorm]] and [[tornado watch]]. Other forms of these advisories include winter weather, high wind, [[Flood warning|flood]], [[tropical cyclone]], and fog.<ref>[[Environment Canada]]. [http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/cd/brochures/warning_e.cfm? Canadian Weather Alerts.] Retrieved on 2008-05-26.</ref> Severe weather advisories and alerts are broadcast through the media, including radio, using emergency systems as the [[Emergency Alert System]] which break into regular programming.<ref>[[Federal Communications Commission]]. [http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/services/eas/ Emergency Alert System.] Retrieved on 2008-05-26.</ref> |
A major part of modern weather forecasting is the severe weather alerts and advisories which the national weather services issue in the case that severe or hazardous weather is expected. This is done to protect life and property.<ref>[[National Weather Service]]. [http://www.weather.gov/mission.shtml National Weather Service Mission Statement.] Retrieved on 2008-05-25.</ref> Some of the most commonly known of severe weather advisories are the [[Severe thunderstorm warning|severe thunderstorm]] and [[tornado warning]], as well as the [[Severe thunderstorm watch|severe thunderstorm]] and [[tornado watch]]. Other forms of these advisories include winter weather, high wind, [[Flood warning|flood]], [[tropical cyclone]], and fog.<ref>[[Environment Canada]]. [http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/cd/brochures/warning_e.cfm? Canadian Weather Alerts.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703204148/http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/cd/brochures/warning_e.cfm |date=2006-07-03 }} Retrieved on 2008-05-26.</ref> Severe weather advisories and alerts are broadcast through the media, including radio, using emergency systems as the [[Emergency Alert System]] which break into regular programming.<ref>[[Federal Communications Commission]]. [http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/services/eas/ Emergency Alert System.] Retrieved on 2008-05-26.</ref> |
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===Low temperature forecast=== |
===Low temperature forecast=== |
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====US Navy==== |
====US Navy==== |
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[[File:Npmoc.gif|thumb|right|Emblem of JTWC Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] |
[[File:Npmoc.gif|thumb|right|Emblem of JTWC Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] |
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Similar to the private sector, military weather forecasters present weather conditions to the war fighter community. Military weather forecasters provide pre-flight and in-flight weather briefs to pilots and provide real time resource protection services for military installations. Naval forecasters cover the waters and ship weather forecasts. The [[United States Navy]] provides a special service to both themselves and the rest of the federal government by issuing forecasts for tropical cyclones across the Pacific and Indian Oceans through their [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]].<ref>[[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]]. [http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/menu/JTWC_mission.html Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement.] Retrieved on 2008-05-27.</ref> |
Similar to the private sector, military weather forecasters present weather conditions to the war fighter community. Military weather forecasters provide pre-flight and in-flight weather briefs to pilots and provide real time resource protection services for military installations. Naval forecasters cover the waters and ship weather forecasts. The [[United States Navy]] provides a special service to both themselves and the rest of the federal government by issuing forecasts for tropical cyclones across the Pacific and Indian Oceans through their [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]].<ref>[[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]]. [http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/menu/JTWC_mission.html Joint Typhoon Warning Center Mission Statement.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409133140/http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/menu/JTWC_mission.html |date=2008-04-09 }} Retrieved on 2008-05-27.</ref> |
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====US Air Force==== |
====US Air Force==== |
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Within the United States, Air Force Weather provides weather forecasting for the Air Force and the Army. [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] forecasters cover air operations in both wartime and peacetime operations and provide [[United States Army|Army]] support;<ref>[[United States Air Force]].[ |
Within the United States, Air Force Weather provides weather forecasting for the Air Force and the Army. [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] forecasters cover air operations in both wartime and peacetime operations and provide [[United States Army|Army]] support;<ref>[[United States Air Force]].[https://web.archive.org/web/20070714070133/http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=157 Air Force Weather Agency.] Retrieved on 2008-05-26.</ref> [[United States Coast Guard]] marine science technicians provide ship forecasts for ice breakers and other various operations within their realm;<ref>[[United States Military]]. [http://www.usmilitary.com/coastguardenlistedoccupations.html#engineeringscienceandtechnical US Coast Guard Jobs - Enlisted Occupations.] Retrieved on 2008-05-26.</ref> and Marine forecasters provide support for ground- and air-based [[United States Marine Corps]] operations.<ref>Rod Powers. [http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/68.htm United States Marine Corps Enlisted Job Descriptions and Qualification Factors: Field 68 - Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC).] Retrieved on 2008-05-26.</ref> All four military branches take their initial enlisted meteorology technical training at [[Keesler Air Force Base]].<ref>[[Keesler Air Force Base]]. Military officers usually received their education from a civilian institution. [http://www.keesler.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-061113-086.pdf Keesler News: March 9, 2006.] [[United States Air Force]] Retrieved on 2008-05-26.</ref> Military and civilian forecasters actively cooperate in analyzing, creating and critiquing weather forecast products. |
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==See also== |
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* [http://web.kma.go.kr/eng/index.jsp Korea Meteorological Administration] |
* [http://web.kma.go.kr/eng/index.jsp Korea Meteorological Administration] |
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* [http://www.metservice.com New Zealand MetService] |
* [http://www.metservice.com New Zealand MetService] |
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* [http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html South African Weather Service] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100309083348/http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html South African Weather Service] |
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* [http://www.meteoswiss.ch/en/index.shtml Meteo Suisse (Swiss Weather Agency)] {{en icon}} |
* [http://www.meteoswiss.ch/en/index.shtml Meteo Suisse (Swiss Weather Agency)] {{en icon}} |
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* [http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ The Met Office of the UK] |
* [http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ The Met Office of the UK] |
Revision as of 18:29, 21 May 2017
Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the atmosphere for a given location. Human beings have attempted to predict the weather informally for millennia, and formally since the nineteenth century. Weather forecasts are made by collecting quantitative data about the current state of the atmosphere at a given place and using scientific understanding of atmospheric processes to project how the atmosphere will change.
Once an all-human endeavor based mainly upon changes in barometric pressure, current weather conditions, and sky condition, weather forecasting now relies on computer-based models that take many atmospheric factors into account.[1] Human input is still required to pick the best possible forecast model to base the forecast upon, which involves pattern recognition skills, teleconnections, knowledge of model performance, and knowledge of model biases. The inaccuracy of forecasting is due to the chaotic nature of the atmosphere, the massive computational power required to solve the equations that describe the atmosphere, the error involved in measuring the initial conditions, and an incomplete understanding of atmospheric processes. Hence, forecasts become less accurate as the difference between current time and the time for which the forecast is being made (the range of the forecast) increases. The use of ensembles and model consensus help narrow the error and pick the most likely outcome.
There are a variety of end uses to weather forecasts. Weather warnings are important forecasts because they are used to protect life and property. Forecasts based on temperature and precipitation are important to agriculture, and therefore to traders within commodity markets. Temperature forecasts are used by utility companies to estimate demand over coming days. On an everyday basis, people use weather forecasts to determine what to wear on a given day. Since outdoor activities are severely curtailed by heavy rain, snow and wind chill, forecasts can be used to plan activities around these events, and to plan ahead and survive them. In 2014, the US spent $5.1 billion on weather forecasting.[2]
History
Ancient forecasting
For millennia people have tried to forecast the weather. In 650 BC, the Babylonians predicted the weather from cloud patterns as well as astrology. In about 350 BC, Aristotle described weather patterns in Meteorologica.[3] Later, Theophrastus compiled a book on weather forecasting, called the Book of Signs.[4] Chinese weather prediction lore extends at least as far back as 300 BC,[5] which was also around the same time ancient Indian astronomers developed weather-prediction methods.[6] In New Testament times, Christ himself referred to deciphering and understanding local weather patterns, by saying, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red', and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times."[7]
In 904 AD, Ibn Wahshiyya's Nabatean Agriculture discussed the weather forecasting of atmospheric changes and signs from the planetary astral alterations; signs of rain based on observation of the lunar phases; and weather forecasts based on the movement of winds.[8]
Ancient weather forecasting methods usually relied on observed patterns of events, also termed pattern recognition. For example, it might be observed that if the sunset was particularly red, the following day often brought fair weather. This experience accumulated over the generations to produce weather lore. However, not all[which?] of these predictions prove reliable, and many of them have since been found not to stand up to rigorous statistical testing.[9]
Modern methods
It was not until the invention of the electric telegraph in 1835 that the modern age of weather forecasting began.[10] Before that, the fastest that distant weather reports could travel was around 100 miles per day (160 km/d), but was more typically 40–75 miles per day (60–120 km/day) (whether by land or by sea).[11][12] By the late 1840s, the telegraph allowed reports of weather conditions from a wide area to be received almost instantaneously,[13] allowing forecasts to be made from knowledge of weather conditions further upwind.
The two men credited with the birth of forecasting as a science were officer of the Royal Navy Francis Beaufort and his protégé Robert FitzRoy. Both were influential men in British naval and governmental circles, and though ridiculed in the press at the time, their work gained scientific credence, was accepted by the Royal Navy, and formed the basis for all of today's weather forecasting knowledge.[14][15]
Beaufort developed the Wind Force Scale and Weather Notation coding, which he was to use in his journals for the remainder of his life. He also promoted the development of reliable tide tables around British shores, and with his friend William Whewell, expanded weather record-keeping at 200 British Coast guard stations.
Robert FitzRoy was appointed in 1854 as chief of a new department within the Board of Trade to deal with the collection of weather data at sea as a service to mariners. This was the forerunner of the modern Meteorological Office.[15] All ship captains were tasked with collating data on the weather and computing it, with the use of tested instruments that were loaned for this purpose.[16]
A storm in 1859 that caused the loss of the Royal Charter inspired FitzRoy to develop charts to allow predictions to be made, which he called "forecasting the weather", thus coining the term "weather forecast".[16] Fifteen land stations were established to use the new telegraph to transmit to him daily reports of weather at set times leading to the first gale warning service. His warning service for shipping was initiated in February 1861, with the use of telegraph communications. The first daily weather forecasts were published in The Times in 1861.[15] In the following year a system was introduced of hoisting storm warning cones at the principal ports when a gale was expected.[17] The "Weather Book" which FitzRoy published in 1863 was far in advance of the scientific opinion of the time.
As the electric telegraph network expanded, allowing for the more rapid dissemination of warnings, a national observational network was developed which could then be used to provide synoptic analyses. Instruments to continuously record variations in meteorological parameters using photography were supplied to the observing stations from Kew Observatory – these cameras had been invented by Francis Ronalds in 1845 and his barograph had earlier been used by FitzRoy.[18][19]
To convey accurate information, it soon became necessary to have a standard vocabulary describing clouds; this was achieved by means of a series of classifications first achieved by Luke Howard in 1802, and standardized in the International Cloud Atlas of 1896.
Numerical prediction
It was not until the 20th century that advances in the understanding of atmospheric physics led to the foundation of modern numerical weather prediction. In 1922, English scientist Lewis Fry Richardson published "Weather Prediction By Numerical Process",[20] after finding notes and derivations he worked on as an ambulance driver in World War I. He described therein how small terms in the prognostic fluid dynamics equations governing atmospheric flow could be neglected, and a finite differencing scheme in time and space could be devised, to allow numerical prediction solutions to be found.
Richardson envisioned a large auditorium of thousands of people performing the calculations and passing them to others. However, the sheer number of calculations required was too large to be completed without the use of computers, and the size of the grid and time steps led to unrealistic results in deepening systems. It was later found, through numerical analysis, that this was due to numerical instability.[21] The first computerised weather forecast was performed by a team led by the mathematician John von Neumann; von Neumann publishing the paper Numerical Integration of the Barotropic Vorticity Equation in 1950.[22] Practical use of numerical weather prediction began in 1955,[23] spurred by the development of programmable electronic computers.
Broadcasts
The first ever daily weather forecasts were published in The Times on 1 August 1861, and the first weather maps were produced later in the same year.[24] In 1911, the Met Office began issuing the first marine weather forecasts via radio transmission. These included gale and storm warnings for areas around Great Britain.[25] In the United States, the first public radio forecasts were made in 1925 by Edward B. "E.B." Rideout, on WEEI, the Edison Electric Illuminating station in Boston.[26] Rideout came from the U.S. Weather Bureau, as did WBZ weather forecaster G. Harold Noyes in 1931.
The world's first televised weather forecasts, including the use of weather maps, were experimentally broadcast by the BBC in 1936. This was brought into practice in 1949 after World War II. George Cowling gave the first weather forecast while being televised in front of the map in 1954.[27][28] In America, experimental television forecasts were made by James C Fidler in Cincinnati in either 1940 or 1947 on the DuMont Television Network.[26][29] In the late 1970s and early 80s, John Coleman, the first weatherman on ABC-TV's Good Morning America, pioneered the use of on-screen weather satellite information and computer graphics for television forecasts.[30] Coleman was a co-founder of The Weather Channel (TWC) in 1982. TWC is now a 24-hour cable network. Some weather channels have started broadcasting on live broadcasting programs such as YouTube and Periscope to reach more viewers. One Meteorologist, Jeff Matthews, transformed the medium from forecasting live during television broadcasts to forecasting live on Periscope under the name of "Weathertainment", becoming the first meteorologist to deliver daily forecasts on a life-streaming application...and thus, making weather forecasting, interactive, for the public.
How models create forecasts
The basic idea of numerical weather prediction is to sample the state of the fluid at a given time and use the equations of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics to estimate the state of the fluid at some time in the future. The main inputs from country-based weather services are surface observations from automated weather stations at ground level over land and from weather buoys at sea. The World Meteorological Organization acts to standardize the instrumentation, observing practices and timing of these observations worldwide. Stations either report hourly in METAR reports,[31] or every six hours in SYNOP reports.[32] Sites launch radiosondes, which rise through the depth of the troposphere and well into the stratosphere.[33] Data from weather satellites are used in areas where traditional data sources are not available.[34][35][36] Compared with similar data from radiosondes, the satellite data has the advantage of global coverage, however at a lower accuracy and resolution.[37] Meteorological radar provide information on precipitation location and intensity, which can be used to estimate precipitation accumulations over time.[38] Additionally, if a pulse Doppler weather radar is used then wind speed and direction can be determined.[39]
Commerce provides pilot reports along aircraft routes,[40] and ship reports along shipping routes. Research flights using reconnaissance aircraft fly in and around weather systems of interest such as tropical cyclones.[41][42] Reconnaissance aircraft are also flown over the open oceans during the cold season into systems which cause significant uncertainty in forecast guidance, or are expected to be of high impact 3–7 days into the future over the downstream continent.[43]
Models are initialized using this observed data. The irregularly spaced observations are processed by data assimilation and objective analysis methods, which perform quality control and obtain values at locations usable by the model's mathematical algorithms (usually an evenly spaced grid). The data are then used in the model as the starting point for a forecast.[44] Commonly, the set of equations used to predict the known as the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere are called primitive equations. These equations are initialized from the analysis data and rates of change are determined. The rates of change predict the state of the atmosphere a short time into the future. The equations are then applied to this new atmospheric state to find new rates of change, and these new rates of change predict the atmosphere at a yet further time into the future. This time stepping procedure is continually repeated until the solution reaches the desired forecast time. The length of the time step is related to the distance between the points on the computational grid.
The length of the time step chosen within the model is related to the distance between the points on the computational grid, and is chosen to maintain numerical stability.[45] Time steps for global models are on the order of tens of minutes,[46] while time steps for regional models are between one and four minutes.[47] The global models are run at varying times into the future. The Met Office's Unified Model is run six days into the future,[48] the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts model is run out to 10 days into the future,[49] while the Global Forecast System model run by the Environmental Modeling Center is run 16 days into the future.[50] The visual output produced by a model solution is known as a prognostic chart, or prog.[51] The raw output is often modified before being presented as the forecast. This can be in the form of statistical techniques to remove known biases in the model, or of adjustment to take into account consensus among other numerical weather forecasts.[52] MOS or model output statistics is a technique used to interpret numerical model output and produce site-specific guidance. This guidance is presented in coded numerical form, and can be obtained for nearly all National Weather Service reporting stations in the United States. As proposed by Edward Lorenz in 1963, long range forecasts, those made at a range of two weeks or more, are impossible to definitively predict the state of the atmosphere, owing to the chaotic nature of the fluid dynamics equations involved. In numerical models, extremely small errors in initial values double roughly every five days for variables such as temperature and wind velocity.[53]
Essentially, a model is a computer program that produces meteorological information for future times at given locations and altitudes. Within any modern model is a set of equations, known as the primitive equations, used to predict the future state of the atmosphere.[54] These equations—along with the ideal gas law—are used to evolve the density, pressure, and potential temperature scalar fields and the velocity vector field of the atmosphere through time. Additional transport equations for pollutants and other aerosols are included in some primitive-equation mesoscale models as well.[55] The equations used are nonlinear partial differential equations which are impossible to solve exactly through analytical methods,[56] with the exception of a few idealized cases.[57] Therefore, numerical methods obtain approximate solutions. Different models use different solution methods: some global models use spectral methods for the horizontal dimensions and finite difference methods for the vertical dimension, while regional models and other global models usually use finite-difference methods in all three dimensions.[56]
Techniques
Persistence
The simplest method of forecasting the weather, persistence, relies upon today's conditions to forecast the conditions tomorrow. This can be a valid way of forecasting the weather when it is in a steady state, such as during the summer season in the tropics. This method of forecasting strongly depends upon the presence of a stagnant weather pattern. Therefore, when in a fluctuating weather pattern, this method of forecasting becomes inaccurate. It can be useful in both short range forecasts and long range forecasts.[58]
Use of a barometer
Measurements of barometric pressure and the pressure tendency (the change of pressure over time) have been used in forecasting since the late 19th century.[59] The larger the change in pressure, especially if more than 3.5 hPa (2.6 mmHg), the larger the change in weather can be expected. If the pressure drop is rapid, a low pressure system is approaching, and there is a greater chance of rain. Rapid pressure rises are associated with improving weather conditions, such as clearing skies.[60]
Looking at the sky
Along with pressure tendency, the condition of the sky is one of the more important parameters used to forecast weather in mountainous areas. Thickening of cloud cover or the invasion of a higher cloud deck is indicative of rain in the near future. At night, high thin cirrostratus clouds can lead to halos around the moon, which indicates an approach of a warm front and its associated rain.[61] Morning fog portends fair conditions, as rainy conditions are preceded by wind or clouds which prevent fog formation. The approach of a line of thunderstorms could indicate the approach of a cold front. Cloud-free skies are indicative of fair weather for the near future.[62] A bar can indicate a coming tropical cyclone. The use of sky cover in weather prediction has led to various weather lore over the centuries.[63]
Nowcasting
The forecasting of the weather within the next six hours is often referred to as nowcasting.[64] In this time range it is possible to forecast smaller features such as individual showers and thunderstorms with reasonable accuracy, as well as other features too small to be resolved by a computer model. A human given the latest radar, satellite and observational data will be able to make a better analysis of the small scale features present and so will be able to make a more accurate forecast for the following few hours.[65] However, there are now expert systems using those data and mesoscale numerical model to make better extrapolation, including evolution of those features in time.
Use of forecast models
In the past, the human forecaster was responsible for generating the entire weather forecast based upon available observations.[66] Today, human input is generally confined to choosing a model based on various parameters, such as model biases and performance.[67] Using a consensus of forecast models, as well as ensemble members of the various models, can help reduce forecast error.[68] However, regardless how small the average error becomes with any individual system, large errors within any particular piece of guidance are still possible on any given model run.[69] Humans are required to interpret the model data into weather forecasts that are understandable to the end user. Humans can use knowledge of local effects which may be too small in size to be resolved by the model to add information to the forecast. While increasing accuracy of forecast models implies that humans may no longer be needed in the forecast process at some point in the future, there is currently still a need for human intervention.[70]
Analog technique
The analog technique is a complex way of making a forecast, requiring the forecaster to remember a previous weather event which is expected to be mimicked by an upcoming event. What makes it a difficult technique to use is that there is rarely a perfect analog for an event in the future.[71] Some call this type of forecasting pattern recognition. It remains a useful method of observing rainfall over data voids such as oceans,[72] as well as the forecasting of precipitation amounts and distribution in the future. A similar technique is used in medium range forecasting, which is known as teleconnections, when systems in other locations are used to help pin down the location of another system within the surrounding regime.[73] An example of teleconnections are by using El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) related phenomena.[74]
Quality assessment
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2016) |
Mathematical models are often developed to map the forecast skill of a weather prediction methodology.
Communicating forecasts to the public
Most end users of forecasts are members of the general public. Thunderstorms can create strong winds and dangerous lightning strikes that can lead to deaths, power outages,[75] and widespread hail damage. Heavy snow or rain can bring transportation and commerce to a stand-still,[76] as well as cause flooding in low-lying areas.[77] Excessive heat or cold waves can sicken or kill those with inadequate utilities, and droughts can impact water usage and destroy vegetation.
Several countries employ government agencies to provide forecasts and watches/warnings/advisories to the public in order to protect life and property and maintain commercial interests. Knowledge of what the end user needs from a weather forecast must be taken into account to present the information in a useful and understandable way. Examples include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS)[78] and Environment Canada's Meteorological Service (MSC).[79] Traditionally, newspaper, television, and radio have been the primary outlets for presenting weather forecast information to the public. Increasingly, the internet is being used due to the vast amount of specific information that can be found.[80] In all cases, these outlets update their forecasts on a regular basis.
Severe weather alerts and advisories
A major part of modern weather forecasting is the severe weather alerts and advisories which the national weather services issue in the case that severe or hazardous weather is expected. This is done to protect life and property.[81] Some of the most commonly known of severe weather advisories are the severe thunderstorm and tornado warning, as well as the severe thunderstorm and tornado watch. Other forms of these advisories include winter weather, high wind, flood, tropical cyclone, and fog.[82] Severe weather advisories and alerts are broadcast through the media, including radio, using emergency systems as the Emergency Alert System which break into regular programming.[83]
Low temperature forecast
The low temperature forecast for the current day is calculated using the lowest temperature found between 7pm that evening through 7am the following morning.[84] So, in short, today's forecasted low is most likely tomorrow's low temperature.
Specialist forecasting
There are a number of sectors with their own specific needs for weather forecasts and specialist services are provided to these users.
Air traffic
Because the aviation industry is especially sensitive to the weather, accurate weather forecasting is essential. Fog or exceptionally low ceilings can prevent many aircraft from landing and taking off.[85] Turbulence and icing are also significant in-flight hazards.[86] Thunderstorms are a problem for all aircraft because of severe turbulence due to their updrafts and outflow boundaries,[87] icing due to the heavy precipitation, as well as large hail, strong winds, and lightning, all of which can cause severe damage to an aircraft in flight.[88] Volcanic ash is also a significant problem for aviation, as aircraft can lose engine power within ash clouds.[89] On a day-to-day basis airliners are routed to take advantage of the jet stream tailwind to improve fuel efficiency.[90] Aircrews are briefed prior to takeoff on the conditions to expect en route and at their destination.[91] Additionally, airports often change which runway is being used to take advantage of a headwind. This reduces the distance required for takeoff, and eliminates potential crosswinds.[92]
Marine
Commercial and recreational use of waterways can be limited significantly by wind direction and speed, wave periodicity and heights, tides, and precipitation. These factors can each influence the safety of marine transit. Consequently, a variety of codes have been established to efficiently transmit detailed marine weather forecasts to vessel pilots via radio, for example the MAFOR (marine forecast).[93] Typical weather forecasts can be received at sea through the use of RTTY, Navtex and Radiofax.
Agriculture
Farmers rely on weather forecasts to decide what work to do on any particular day. For example, drying hay is only feasible in dry weather. Prolonged periods of dryness can ruin cotton, wheat,[94] and corn crops. While corn crops can be ruined by drought, their dried remains can be used as a cattle feed substitute in the form of silage.[95] Frosts and freezes play havoc with crops both during the spring and fall. For example, peach trees in full bloom can have their potential peach crop decimated by a spring freeze.[96] Orange groves can suffer significant damage during frosts and freezes, regardless of their timing.[97]
Forestry
Weather forecasting of wind, precipitations and humidity is essential for preventing and controlling wildfires. Different indices, like the Forest fire weather index and the Haines Index, have been developed to predict the areas more at risk to experience fire from natural or human causes. Conditions for the development of harmful insects can be predicted by forecasting the evolution of weather, too.
Utility companies
Electricity and gas companies rely on weather forecasts to anticipate demand which can be strongly affected by the weather. They use the quantity termed the degree day to determine how strong of a use there will be for heating (heating degree day) or cooling (cooling degree day). These quantities are based on a daily average temperature of 65 °F (18 °C). Cooler temperatures force heating degree days (one per degree Fahrenheit), while warmer temperatures force cooling degree days.[98] In winter, severe cold weather can cause a surge in demand as people turn up their heating.[99] Similarly, in summer a surge in demand can be linked with the increased use of air conditioning systems in hot weather.[100] By anticipating a surge in demand, utility companies can purchase additional supplies of power or natural gas before the price increases, or in some circumstances, supplies are restricted through the use of brownouts and blackouts.[101]
Other commercial companies
Increasingly, private companies pay for weather forecasts tailored to their needs so that they can increase their profits or avoid large losses.[102] For example, supermarket chains may change the stocks on their shelves in anticipation of different consumer spending habits in different weather conditions. Weather forecasts can be used to invest in the commodity market, such as futures in oranges, corn, soybeans, and oil.[103]
Military applications
United Kingdom Armed Forces
Royal Navy
The UK Royal Navy, working with the UK Met Office, has its own specialist branch of weather observers and forecasters, as part of the Hydrographic and Meteorological (HM) specialisation, who monitor and forecast operational conditions across the globe, to provide accurate and timely weather and oceanographic information to submarines, ships and Fleet Air Arm aircraft.
Royal Air Force
A mobile unit in the RAF, working with the UK Met Office, forecasts the weather for regions in which British, allied servicemen and women are deployed. A group based at Camp Bastion provides forecasts for the British armed forces in Afghanistan.[104]
United States Armed Forces
US Navy
Similar to the private sector, military weather forecasters present weather conditions to the war fighter community. Military weather forecasters provide pre-flight and in-flight weather briefs to pilots and provide real time resource protection services for military installations. Naval forecasters cover the waters and ship weather forecasts. The United States Navy provides a special service to both themselves and the rest of the federal government by issuing forecasts for tropical cyclones across the Pacific and Indian Oceans through their Joint Typhoon Warning Center.[105]
US Air Force
Within the United States, Air Force Weather provides weather forecasting for the Air Force and the Army. Air Force forecasters cover air operations in both wartime and peacetime operations and provide Army support;[106] United States Coast Guard marine science technicians provide ship forecasts for ice breakers and other various operations within their realm;[107] and Marine forecasters provide support for ground- and air-based United States Marine Corps operations.[108] All four military branches take their initial enlisted meteorology technical training at Keesler Air Force Base.[109] Military and civilian forecasters actively cooperate in analyzing, creating and critiquing weather forecast products.
See also
- Citizen Weather Observer Program
- National Collegiate Weather Forecasting Contest
- National Weatherperson's Day
- Tropical cyclone forecasting
- Weather wars
- WxChallenge
- Weather and Society Integrated Studies
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- ^ 403rd Wing (2011). "The Hurricane Hunters". 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. Retrieved 2006-03-30.
{{cite web}}
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- ^ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2010-11-12). "NOAA Dispatches High-Tech Research Plane to Improve Winter Storm Forecasts". Retrieved 2010-12-22.
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- ^ Pielke, Roger A. (2002). Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling. Academic Press. pp. 285–287. ISBN 0-12-554766-8.
- ^ Sunderam, V. S.; van Albada, G. Dick; Peter, M. A.; Sloot, J. J. Dongarra (2005). Computational Science – ICCS 2005: 5th International Conference, Atlanta, GA, USA, May 22–25, 2005, Proceedings, Part 1. Springer. p. 132. ISBN 978-3-540-26032-5. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ^ Zwieflhofer, Walter; Kreitz, Norbert; European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (2001). Developments in teracomputing: proceedings of the ninth ECMWF Workshop on the Use of High Performance Computing in Meteorology. World Scientific. p. 276. ISBN 978-981-02-4761-4. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Chan, Johnny C. L.; Jeffrey D. Kepert (2010). Global Perspectives on Tropical Cyclones: From Science to Mitigation. World Scientific. pp. 295–296. ISBN 978-981-4293-47-1. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
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: Unknown parameter|lastauthoramp=
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suggested) (help) - ^ Holton, James R. (2004). An introduction to dynamic meteorology, Volume 1. Academic Press. p. 480. ISBN 978-0-12-354015-7. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
- ^ Brown, Molly E. (2008). Famine early warning systems and remote sensing data. Springer. p. 121. ISBN 978-3-540-75367-4. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
- ^ Ahrens, C. Donald (2008). Essentials of meteorology: an invitation to the atmosphere. Cengage Learning. p. 244. ISBN 978-0-495-11558-8. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ Daniel Andersson. Improved accuracy of surrogate models using output postprocessing. Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
- ^ Cox, John D. (2002). Storm Watchers. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 222–224. ISBN 0-471-38108-X.
- ^ Pielke, Roger A. (2002). Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling. Academic Press. pp. 48–49. ISBN 0-12-554766-8.
- ^ Pielke, Roger A. (2002). Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling. Academic Press. pp. 18–19. ISBN 0-12-554766-8.
- ^ a b Strikwerda, John C. (2004). Finite difference schemes and partial differential equations. SIAM. pp. 165–170. ISBN 978-0-89871-567-5. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
- ^ Pielke, Roger A. (2002). Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling. Academic Press. p. 65. ISBN 0-12-554766-8.
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- ^ Todd Kimberlain. Tropical cyclone motion and intensity talk (June 2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-21.
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Further reading
- Ian Roulstone; John Norbury (2013). Invisible in the Storm: the role of mathematics in understanding weather. Princeton University Press.
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External links
Meteorological agencies
These are academic or governmental meteorology organizations. Most provide at least a limited forecast for their area of interest on their website.
- The World Meteorological Organization
- European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF)
- European Meteorological Satellites EUMETSAT
- Australian Bureau of Meteorology
- Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium
- Environment Canada Weather Office
- Finnish Meteorological Institute
- French National Meteorological Service
- Indian Meteorological Department(IMD)
- National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (NCMRWF)
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
- National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL)
- Pakistan Meteorological Department
- The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (Greece)
- Hong Kong Observatory
- Met Éireann (Ireland)
- Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) Meteorological Service
- Korea Meteorological Administration
- New Zealand MetService
- South African Weather Service
- Meteo Suisse (Swiss Weather Agency) Template:En icon
- The Met Office of the UK
- yr.no (a joint online weather service from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (met.no) and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK))
- Unidad de Meteorología - IVIC (Meteorology Unit - Venezuela Institute of Scientific Research) Template:Sp icon
- Instituto Nacional de Hidrometeorología Template:Sp icon
- National Meteorological Service of Slovenia based on Academa Application server and WebMet
- Centro de Previsão de Tempo e Estudos Climáticos at INPE (Brazil)
- National Weather Service United States of America
Other external links
- Economic history and impact of weather forecasting from EH.net
- Dynamic Weather Forecaster Iowa State University's online educational tool for weather forecasting
- "World Weather News by Radio" Popular Mechanics, January 1930, pp. 50–55, article on international weather report systems set up after World War One, using wireless broadcasting from various stations and ships worldwide
- New Technology Allows Better Extreme Weather Forecasts; New technology that increases the warning time for tornadoes and hurricanes could potentially save hundreds of lives every year April 17, 2012
- Current aviation weather charts for the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
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