Synoptic Analysis and Forecasting: An Introductory Toolkit

Synoptic Analysis and Forecasting: An Introductory Toolkit provides the bridge between the introductory fundamentals of a meteorology course and advanced synoptic-dynamic analysis for undergraduate students. It helps students to understand the principles of weather analysis, which will complement computer forecast models. This valuable reference also imparts qualitative weather analysis and forecasting tools and techniques to non-meteorologist end users, such as emergency/disaster managers, aviation experts, and environmental health and safety experts who need to have a foundational knowledge of weather forecasting.

Presents the fundamentals of weather analysis and forecastingOffers clear accessible writing aimed at students from a variety of mathematical backgroundsDiscusses the reading and interpretation of surface observations and METAR code, processes associated with the motion and intensity of cyclones and anticyclones, and quantitative and/or qualitative diagnosis of processes associated with ascent and descent

1. Meteorological Conventions
2. Surface Observations and Instrumentation
3. METAR code
4. Upper-air Observations
5. Upper-tropospheric Charts
6. Lower-tropospheric Charts
7. Upper-tropospheric Processes
8. Lower-tropospheric Processes
9. Putting It All Together
10. Fronts and Drylines
11. Satellite Imagery
12. Radar Imagery
13. Thermodynamic Diagrams Basics
14. Thermodynamic Diagrams Interpretation
15. Weather Forecasting Basics