Fundamentals of Weather


Overview:


The Earth and its Atmosphere, Introduction to

This site provided by Dr. John P. Stimac at Eastern Illinois University, as part of a class called, "Climate and Weather." The information here is based on the book, "The Atmosphere," (8th edition) by Tarbuck and Lutgens.

Includes sections on:

  1. Origin of the Universe,Solar System, Earth


  2. Origin of the Earth's Atmosphere


  3. Structure of the Earth's Atmosphere



Atmospheric Composition

This site provided by the Meteorology Department at Florida State University as part of their "Explores" Program (EXPloring and Learning the Operations and Resources of Environmental Satellites). This an educational outreach program designed for the K-12 Classroom.







I. State Variables:


  1. Temperature, Measurement of Temperature, Thermal Processes,
    Seasons and the Diurnal Cycle

  2. Pressure, Measurement of Atmospheric Pressure, Pressure
    Forces, Wind

  3. Moisture, Measurement of Atmospheric Moisture, Hydrology







II. Weather Observations (and observing equipment)


Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), the


ASOS is the primary, minute-by-minute, 24-hour observation system for the National Weather Service (NWS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). It provides surface weather observations in "METAR code" (See: METAR (The International Format for reporting surface weather observations) below) for meteorologists, the aviation industry and the media.

  1. Description of the ASOS instruments and sensors

    This excellent tutorial was created by Dr. Jay Hobgood, Atmospheric Sciences Program, Department of Geography, at Ohio State University. It was developed as instructional material for Atmospheric Sciences 620 (Synoptic Meteorology Laboratory). [Used by permission]


  2. ASOS/AWOS locations in the United States


  3. ASOS Algorithm Tutorial



Worldwide Weather Observing Network

This site provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Includes links to surface weather observations from around the world (segregated by country).


METAR (Standard Format for Surface Observations) and TAF Information


This information is provided by the NOAA Satellite and Information Services (NESDIS) and The National Climatic Data Center. Information includes METAR FAQs, quick reference guides, and documentation of standards and format.

The following webpages come from various universities:

  1. METAR: Observing and Coding Observations
    from Texas A&M University, contains extracts from the FMH-1 Observation Handbook.


  2. Interpreting METAR Surface Observations (I) from the College of DuPage


  3. Interpreting METAR Surface Observations (II) from the Texas A&M University


  4. Time System used on METAR observations and Weather Maps
    (" Coordinated Universal Time") I
    [from the University of Illinois]


  5. Time System used on METAR observations and Weather Maps
    ("Coordinated Universal Time") II
    [from the State University of New York State College at Oneonta]


Weather observation station (at Brockport University)


This site is provided by the Meteorology Department at Brockport University.

It gives photos and descriptions of sensors typically found at a (surface) weather observation station.

Take a look at homemade weather observing equipment from Brockport, and check out the interesting and creative ideas on how to build your own weather observing equipment.


Laser Ceilometer


This site is provided by McGill University and offers a description of the laser ceilometer and its use in measuring the vertical distance to cloud bases.







III. Weather Maps (and the "station model")


Weather Symbols, Weather Maps and Weather Systems, a tutorial on

This site provided as part of educational outreach by the National Severe Storms Laboratory, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


Understanding the Station Model


  1. An example of the station model


  2. Interpreting the Codes for Sky Cover


  3. Cloud Type codes and Symbols

    1. Low Cloud Symbols are listed in the third row on the clickable graphic labeled "Sky Watcher Chart".
      A nontechnical description of each cloud type can also be found by clicking Here.


    2. Mid Cloud Symbols are listed in the second row on the clickable graphic labeled "Sky Watcher Chart". Middle Cloud Symbols are listed in the second column of this table.
      A nontechnical description of each cloud type can also be found by clicking Here.


    3. High Cloud Symbols are listed in the first row of the clickable graphic labeled "Sky Watcher Chart".
      A nontechnical description of each cloud type can also be found by clicking Here.


  4. Interpreting the Codes for Pressure Tendency

  5. "Current Weather" codes and symbols

  6. "Past Weather" codes and symbols

  7. Time System used on METAR observations and Weather Maps
    ("Coordinated Universal Time")     I.
    [This site provided by the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois.]


  8. Time System used on METAR observations and Weather Maps
    ("Coordinated Universal Time")     II.
    [This site provided by the College at Oneonta.]



    9. NOTE: Additional, more detailed information on the station model can be found in this Hands-on Laboratory Exercise .


Weather Maps: History and Usefulness of


This site is provided as an educational outreach by the National Severe Storms Laboratory, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administation.


Surface Weather Map (an example)

This site provided by:
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (and its Research Applications Program).

It shows how surface weather data is plotted on a weather map, using "station model" format (as described above). This particular map is of the United States Central Plains.


Creating and Interpreting Weather Maps


This site was originally produced by NASA, as part of their "Learning Technologies Project."

  1. Part I, "Isobars, Highs and Lows"


  2. Part II, Isotherms


  3. Part III, Fronts


  4. Part IV, Predicting the Weather


  5. Part V, Weather Patterns




Fronts


This site provided by the University Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Weather World 2010 Project.

Includes a description of each type of front and how it is represented on a weather map:

  1. Stationary Front


  2. Cold Front


  3. Warm Front


  4. Occluded Front




Weather Maps ( a Hands-on Laboratory Exercise)


This is an excellent hands-on exercise for anyone who might be interested in learning how to forecast the weather. You will learn how to diagnose the current state of the atmosphere, through interpretation of meteorological codes used on various weather maps.

It was originally created by Dr. Marion Alcorn, at Texas A&M's Environmental Science Department, as a university-level laboratory exericse.

Using the information provided in the exercise itself, as well what's available from this library in the section labeled, "Weather Maps (and the station model)", you should be able to complete the exercise.

This exercise can be taken and mailed in for a grade. Good Luck!

(Permission to use this exercise in this library has been granted by Dr. Marion Alcorn)


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Last updated April 25, 2008.