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SPECIAL NOTE:
Starting in May 2011 this book (Weather Forecasting Handbook, or WFH) is being phased out and replaced with
Weather Analysis & Forecasting Handbook (WAF).
We will continue to offer WFH for sale, but as a matter of policy we will make customers aware that WAF is available
and should be selected unless WFH is specifically requested.
The newer title is not a revised edition but is a slightly different title with similar yet greatly expanded content.
Basic physical concepts are reviewed, and commonly-employed analysis
methods are presented. Then weather systems are explained in terms of
their thermal structure, dynamics, and effects. Special problems
such as thunderstorms, winter weather, and tropical weather get
chapters of their own. Margins are filled with forecasting facts,
hard-hitting quotes, educational stories, and even a few fun
weather jokes. With added emphasis on analysis, visualization,
and awareness of model limitations, readers learn to use
tools properly and are always a step ahead. Due to the book's
recent demand by universities, the latest edition adds ten
review quesions at the end of each chapter (answers not printed
but are available on this web site).
With the Weather Forecasting Handbook, some common sense,
and a little math knowledge, almost anyone can learn to forecast
the weather, and even have fun doing it!
Incredible coverage
The Weather Forecast Handbook is broken down into
a dozen chapters:
- FUNDAMENTALS -- A basic overview of density,
pressure, mixing ratio, is followed by a description of
scale, atmospheric structure, the global circulation,
and the pressure coordinate system.
- OBSERVATION -- Where do those observations come
from? You'll see how temperature, dewpoint, wind, clouds,
and other phenomena are measured. The chapter sticks
to what is important to forecasters.
- TOOLS -- Learn to use the surface chart,
and upper-air charts. A section on radar and doppler
radar follows (showing how to interpret severe signatures),
then satellite imagery, soundings, and hodographs are
discussed in detail.
- PHYSICS -- This chapter touches on phase changes,
adiabatic changes, stability, atmospheric forces, and winds.
- FRONTS AND JETS -- You'll learn frontal concepts,
the types of fronts, drylines, air masses, tertiary circulations,
and jets.
- MOTION -- This large chapter gets into the heart
of dynamics, explaining long waves, short waves, convergence,
vertical motion, and jet stream dynamics. You'll also learn
about vorticity, Q-vectors, and isentropic analysis.
- BAROTROPIC SYSTEMS -- Covers the various types
of cold-core and warm-core lows and highs found in everyday
analysis, from cutoff lows and the polar vortex to hurricanes
and heat lows.
- BAROCLINIC SYSTEMS -- Explains baroclinic lows
and highs, how they develop and dissipate, and common
variations usually seen in everyday analysis.
- CONVECTIVE WEATHER -- Covers structure and types,
including odd variations such as derechos, splits, MCSs,
and the supercell spectrum. Lists the various convective
parameters used today, such as CAPE, EHI, and BRN.
- WINTER WEATHER -- A brief chapter that covers
different precipitation types caused by various vertical
thermal structures.
- TROPICAL WEATHER -- Learn about the equatorial
trough, the subtropical ridge, easterly waves, TUTTs,
tropical cyclones, and more.
- NUMERICAL GUIDANCE -- Describes the prediction
process, classes, domains, configurations, and operational
models currently used. Also explains the limitations of
models.
- APPENDIX -- Code quick reference, reading,
software, educational web sites, government weather agency
web sites, forecasting myths, and twelve practice exercises.
Who it's for
With unrestricted technical content that's light on theory and
complex information, the Weather Forecasting Handbook makes
a great selection for avid professionals, weather enthusiasts,
storm chasers, emergency managers, broadcasters, boaters, and anyone
who wants to learn practical, everyday forecasting in an
refreshing format.
Used by universities!
Weather Forecasting Handbook is part of the curricula at
College of Dupage,
St. Louis University,
University of Texas (Austin),
University of North Dakota,
St. Cloud State University,
Jacksonville State University,
University of Georgia,
and Valparaiso University.