What is the function of the National Center for Environmental Prediction? - Answer Here, the massive job of analyzing the data, preparing
weather maps and charts, and predicting the weather
on a global and national scale begins. From NCEP,
weather information is transmitted to private forecas...
Meteorology Exam 4 Prep Questions
Solved Correctly.
What is the function of the National Center for Environmental Prediction? - Answer Here, the massive
job of analyzing the data, preparing
weather maps and charts, and predicting the weather
on a global and national scale begins. From NCEP,
weather information is transmitted to private forecasting firms and public agencies. Across the nation,
dozens of local NWS offices use the information to issue local and regional weather forecasts. Many of
NCEP's products are also posted on the web.
How does a weather watch differ from a weather warning? - Answer -A watch indicates that
atmospheric conditions favor hazardous weather occurring over a particular region during a specific time
period, but that the actual location and time of the occurrence is uncertain
-A warning indicates that hazardous weather is either imminent or actually occurirng within the specific
forecast area
List at least four tools a weather forecaster might use when making a short-range forecast. - Answer -
meteogram: a chart that shows how one or more weather variables has changed at a station over a given
period of time
-Soundings: a two-dimensional vertical profile of temperature, dew point and winds
-satellite information: visible, enhanced infrared, and water vapor images provide a wealth of
information, some of which comes from inaccessible regions that can be plugged into forecast models.
This added info provides a clearer representation of the atmosphere
How does a prog differ from an analysis? - Answer Analysis: Each day the many thousands of
observations transmitted to NCEP are fed into a high speed computer, which plots and draws lines on
surface and upper air charts. Meteorologists interpret the weather patterns and then correct any errors
that may be present. The final chart is the analsysis
-Prog (Prognostic chart): The final forecast chart representing the atmoshpere at a specified future time
In what ways have high-speed computers assisted the meteorologist in making weather forecasts? -
Answer high speed computers solves the equations more quickly and efficiently than could be done by
hand
, How are computer-generated weather forecasts prepared? - Answer By using many equations and
calculations
What are some of the problems associated with computer-model forecasts? - Answer -computer-
forecast models idealize the real atmosphere, meaning that each model makes certain assumptions
about the atmosphere. These assumptions may be on target for some weather situations and be way off
for others
-Majority of models are not global in their coverage, and errors are able to creep in along the model's
boundaries
-On computer models with large spacing between grid points (say 60 km), larger weather systems, such
as thunderstorms, do not. Because the model is too coarse to generate showers and thunderstorms
directly, these features are instead parameterized, meaning that they are approximated for broad areas
instead of being predicted for specific points. The computer models that forecast for a large area such as
North America area, therefore, better at predicting the widespread precipitation associated with a large
cyclonic storm than local showers and thunderstorms. In summer, when much of the precipitation falls
as local showers, a computer prog may have indicated fair weather, while outside it is pouring rain
-Many computer models cannot adequately interpret many of the facors that influence surface weather,
such as the interactions of water, ice surface friction, and local terrain on weather systems
-even with better observing techniques and near perfect computer models, there are countless small,
unpredictable atmospheric fluctuations that fall under the heading of chaos
Describe four methods of forecasting the weather and give an example for each one. - Answer
How does pattern recognition aid a forecaster in making a prediction? - Answer
Suppose that where you live, the middle of January is typically several degrees warmer than the rest of
the month. If you forecast this "January thaw" for the middle of next January, what type of weather
forecast will you have made? - Answer
How can ensemble forecasts improve medium-range forecasts? - Answer
Explain how teleconnections are used in making a long-range seasonal outlook - Answer
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