PREDICTING THE WEATHER

Vocab

Meteorologist- scientist who study the causes of weather and try to predict it.

Isopleth- connected lines showing equal or similar values Isotherm = equal temperatures Isobar= equal barometric pressure

Weather Forecasting

Simple Observations- Using what we know to deduct what is

going to happen Ex. We know cumulus clouds often form on

humid warm afternoons, when these clouds begin to grow taller to cumulonimbus we can deduct there is a storm approaching or forming

Digital forecasting

Interpreting complex data Meteorologists use maps, charts, and

computers to analyze weather data and to prepare weather forecasts.

Different instruments are analyzed for different heights Balloons, satellites and weather stations

Short term vs long term

Short- involves comparing situations occurring presently to those that occurred recently to picture what will happen in the close future Too complicated to rely on one area of

forecasting Changes in patterns rely on upper level

wind movement Long- regardless of technology

forecasting becomes less reliable due to huge amount of parameters Accuracy declines greatly over time

Weather Technology

Technological improvements in gathering weather data and using computers have improved accuracy of weather forecasts

Weather Balloons- carry instruments up to the stratosphere

Basic tools

Anemometer- measures wind speed

Hygrometer- measures humidity using a wet and dry bulb. As water evaporates from the wet bulb the temperature between the 2 bulbs changes, we measure this difference

Rain gauge- measures amount of rainfall

Barometer- measures air pressure

Weather Satellites- orbit the earth use camera, thermometers, barometers etc.

Automated weather stations- surface locations that measure a variety of features

Computer forecasts- Computers gather and process massive

amounts of data and arrange it for wide areas and larger time spans