Meteorology 302.01, Spring 2004

Class Notes for Feb. 6, 2004

Dallas Jones,

Ramsey Garcia

Assignments

Williams: Preface, Introduction, Chapter 1
Zebrowski, Preface, Chapter 1 (point of view, definition of "disaster")

Important Weather Tools

- Decoded weather map from 18Z 2 Feb 04 in San Francisco

- Z = Standard Greenwich Time (Standard Pacific Time = Z-8)

- Date = Feb 2, 2004

- The present weather symbol consisted of 4 dots meaning heavy continuous rainfall.

- Sky Conditions on this day were overcast represented by a completely filled in station model.

- The present weather symbol is helpful in understanding present weather conditions and thus being able to forecast.

Rainfall Intensities

- each drop signifies increased intensities

- 1 drop = very light rain, streets begin to get wet

- 2 drops = light rainfall

- 3 drops = moderate rainfall

- 4 drops = heavy continuous rainfall

- all observations are made in a 10 minute time frame

- average annual rainfall in San Francisco is 23”

Class Exercises

- Using the Surface data plot map from 18Z 2 FEB 04 we found the warmest and coldest temperatures in the country.

- Coldest temperature was found North of Montana in the province of Saskatchewan with a temperature of –20° F.

- The warmest temperature was found in Southeastern Florida with a temperature of 80°F.

Problems with Meteorology

- There are information gaps between weather stations. To overcome these problems meteorologists use remote sensing and weather satellites as a tool help forecast. On the class website go to Visible Satellite Images.

- Key points to observe are the organization of storm clouds.

Used websites

- Still Images

- Schmatic