Gathering Weather Data PDF

12/23/2024 Chapter 12 Section 3 & 4 Why is accurate weather data important? 1  12/23/2024 What ar...

12/23/2024 Chapter 12 Section 3 & 4 Why is accurate weather data important? 1  12/23/2024 What are problems associated with long-term forecasts? Data from Earth’s Surface Two important factors in weather forecasting are the accuracy of the data and the amount of available data. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data 2  12/23/2024 Data from Earth’s Surface Temperature and air pressure A thermometer measures temperature using either the Fahrenheit or Celsius scale. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data Data from Earth’s Surface Temperature and air pressure A barometer measures air pressure. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data 3  12/23/2024 Data from Earth’s Surface Wind speed and relative humidity An anemometer measures wind speed.. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data Data from Earth’s Surface Wind speed and relative humidity. A hygrometer measures relative humidity. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data 4  12/23/2024 Data from Earth’s Surface Automated Surface Observing System The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) gathers data in a consistent manner, 24 hours a day, every day. It provides essential weather data for aviation, weather forecasting, and weather-related research. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data 5  12/23/2024 Data from the Upper Atmosphere The instrument used for gathering upper-atmosphere data is a radiosonde. A radiosonde’s sensors measure the air’s temperature, pressure, and humidity. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data 6  12/23/2024 Weather Observation Systems Weather radar A weather radar system detects specific locations of precipitation. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data 7  12/23/2024 Weather Observation Systems Weather radar The Doppler effect is the change in pitch or frequency that occurs due to the relative motion of a wave, such as sound or light, as it comes toward or goes away from an observer. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data Weather Observation Systems Weather radar Analysis of Doppler radar data can be used to determine the speed at which precipitation moves toward or away from a radar station. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data 8  12/23/2024 Weather Observation Systems Weather satellites Some weather satellites use infrared imagery to make observations at night. Objects radiate thermal energy at slightly different frequencies. Infrared imagery detects these different frequencies, which enables meteorologists to map either cloud cover or surface temperatures. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data 9 12/23/2024 10  12/23/2024 Weather Observation Systems Weather satellites Another type of satellite imagery that is useful in weather analysis and forecasting is called water-vapor imagery. Water-vapor imagery is a valuable tool for weather analysis and prediction because it shows moisture in the atmosphere, not just cloud patterns. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Gathering Weather Data 11  12/23/2024 Surface Weather Analysis Station models A station model is a record of weather data for a particular site at a particular time. Meteorological symbols are used to represent weather data in a station model. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Weather Analysis and Prediction 12  12/23/2024 Surface Weather Analysis Plotting station model data To plot data nationwide and globally, meteorologists use lines that connect points of equal or constant values. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Weather Analysis and Prediction Surface Weather Analysis Plotting station model data Lines of equal pressure are called isobars. Lines of equal temperature are called isotherms. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Weather Analysis and Prediction 13  12/23/2024 Surface Weather Analysis Interpreting station model data The weather map shows isobars and air pressure data for the continental United States. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Weather Analysis and Prediction Surface Weather Analysis Interpreting station model data Using isobars, isotherms, and station model data, meteorologists can analyze current weather conditions for a particular location. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Weather Analysis and Prediction 14  12/23/2024 Types of Forecasts Digital forecasts A digital forecast is created by applying physical principles and mathematics to atmospheric variables and then making a prediction about how these variables will change over time. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Weather Analysis and Prediction Types of Forecasts Analog forecasts An analog forecast is based on a comparison of current weather patterns to similar weather patterns from the past. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Weather Analysis and Prediction 15  12/23/2024 Short-Term Forecasts The most accurate and detailed forecasts are short term because weather systems change directions, speeds, and intensities over time. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Weather Analysis and Prediction 16  12/23/2024 Long-Term Forecasts Because it is impossible for computers to model every variable that affects the weather at a given time and place, all long-term forecasts are less reliable than short-term forecasts. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Weather Analysis and Prediction 17  12/23/2024 Chaos Theory Chaos Theory 18  12/23/2024 To much Heat and Pressure Part one – Get a flashlight add batteries – Place the flashlight 5 cm above the at a 90-degree angle draw the outline – Repeat at a 30-degree angle. Part two – Follow directions and answer the worksheet 19