Weather Prediction Why are accurate weather forecasts important

Weather Prediction

Why are accurate weather forecasts important?

Probability Prediction • Weather forecasts are often based on probability (chance) of weather events based on the relationships between weather variables. • Computer models use data collected over many years to provide these types of predictions.

Atmospheric Cross-Sections

Radar • RAdio Detection And Ranging • Reflects radio waves off the precipitation and cloud aerosols. • Reveals distance and intensity of storms By the late afternoon of February 5, 2008, tornadic supercells (storms with rotating updrafts) were followed by a squall line along the front. . . with strong to damaging winds.

Weather Satellites • Provides visual and infrared images of storm systems since the 1960 s. Modern weather satellites typically have solar cells for power, cameras for visual and infrared images, and a radio antenna for communications with Earth’s surface.

Weather Maps and Station Models • Synoptic weather map: a map summarizing weather variables for a short period of time. – Uses symbols to save space • Station model: the symbols that indicate a site’s weather variables for a specific time of day.

Cloud Cover Temperature 76 Current Weather . . 138 Wind Direction & Speed -30 55 Dewpoint Practice Barometric Trend Barometric Pressure