ATM OCN (Meteorology) 100 - Lecture 3

UPPER AIR OBSERVATIONS & CHARTS

Fall 1997

Lecture #22 Scheduled for:

24 OCT 1997 (F)

Recommended Readings from Moran and Morgan (1997):

pages 21-24; 377; 382-385.

Objectives:

• To identify the meteorological measurements obtained by a radiosonde.
• To describe the manner in which pressure distribution is shown on upper air charts.
• To contrast winds aloft with near-surface winds.

Outline:

A. INTRODUCTION

• Overview - What is "Upper Air"?
• The need to know.

B. UPPER AIR OBSERVATIONS

• Practical Problems
• Early Upper Air Observations - The Observing Platforms
  • Balloons
  • Kites
• Current Upper Air Observations
  • The Radiosonde
  • Aircraft Reports
  • Meteorological Rockets
  • Weather Satellites

C. THE UPPER AIR WEATHER CHART

• The Radiosonde Observation (RAOB) network
• Use of Constant Pressure Charts
• Plotting of Routine Upper Air Constant Pressure Charts
• Isopleths used on Upper Air Charts
  • HEIGHT CONTOURS
  • ISOTHERMS
  • ISOTACHS
• Topography of Constant Pressure Charts
  • Ridges
  • Troughs
• Relationships between:
  • Height and temperature fields
  • Height and wind fields

Last revision 10 November 1997

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