Met-O 2 (Meteorology & Oceanography)

MIDN. AL PRUDENCE C. LORENZO

BSMT 3A9
Definition:
Meteorology is the science
dealing with the atmosphere
and its phenomena, including
both weather and climate,
particularly of the troposphere
and lower stratosphere.
Meteorology entails the
systematic study of weather
and its causes, and provides the
basis for weather forecasting.

Oceanography is scientific discipline concerned with all aspects of the world’s

oceans and seas, including their physical and chemical properties, their origin and
geologic framework, and the life forms that inhabit the marine environment.
oceanography has been divided into four separate but related branches: physical
oceanography, chemical
oceanography, marine geology,
and marine ecology. Physical
oceanography deals with the
properties
of seawater (temperature,
density, pressure, and so on),
its movement (waves, currents,
and tides), and the interactions
between the ocean waters and
the atmosphere. Chemical
oceanography has to do with the composition of seawater and the biogeochemical
cycles that affect it. Marine geology focuses on the structure, features, and
evolution of the ocean basins. Marine ecology, also called biological
oceanography, involves the study of the plants and animals of the sea, including
life cycles and food production.
 Week 1
Topic No. 1: Weather Maps
Overview (4 hours)

Specific Learning Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able
to:
• Interpret the overview of weather maps
o Ocean Prediction Center
o GRIB forecasting
o data
o 500-mb maps

*INTERPRET THE OVERVIEW OF WEATHER MAPS

WEATHER MAP/SYNOPTIC WEATHER CHART

The weather map, also known as a synoptic (summary or overview) chart, is a
simple representation of the weather patterns at the Earth's surface, showing the
locations and movements of the different systems.

What are the main features?

Isobars are the plain lines curving across the map. They connect points with the
same mean sea level air pressure (weight per square area of air above). Some
isobars have numbers on them showing this value in hectopascals (hPa).
Isobars indicate the flow of air around weather systems. You can broadly interpret
wind strength and direction from these maps. The general rule is that winds are
strongest where the isobars are closest together. Thus, the strongest winds are
usually near cold fronts, low pressure systems, tropical cyclones and in westerly
airstreams south of Australia. Winds are normally light near high pressure systems
where the isobars are widely spaced.

What information goes into a weather map?

We use a wide range of weather information from our observations network to
prepare a weather map. This includes observations from over 700 automated
weather stations across Australia, Antarctica and offshore islands. We also use
information provided by ships equipped with weather stations, and meteorological
drifting buoys. Every day at over 30 locations we collect information on the upper
atmosphere using an instrument attached to a weather balloon. International
satellites supply information that helps us monitor various weather elements such
as the upper air winds or temperature and moisture profiles of the atmosphere.
Where can I see weather maps?
Weather maps may present the current situation, what's happened in the past (a
synoptic analysis) or show a forecast for the next few days (a synoptic outlook or
prognosis). It can be useful to look at multiple maps in sequence to show
movement and change.
Francis Galton as Meteorologist
Galton was the first to identify the anticyclone
(as opposed to the cyclone), and introduced
the use of charts showing areas of similar air
pressure - the modern weather map. His
book Meteorographica (Macmillan, 1863) was
the first systematic attempt to gather, chart
and interpret weather data on a continental
scale, a fundamental work of modern
scientific meteorology. His data mapping and
representation activities here, and for the
Geographical society and its search for the
Nile, would ultimately lead him to the
statistical innovations required by his
quantitative study of heredity.

Galton prepared the first weather map published in The Times (April 1 1875,
showing the weather from the previous day, March 31), now a standard feature in
newspapers worldwide.
Galton also devised several novel and ingenious mechanical instruments for
recording information about the weather, while working at the Kew
Observatory. An example of the information recorded by such an instrument is
reproduced below.
DATA FOR PLATING LEGENDS

Lowcloudsymbols
Low étage (Sc,St) and
upward-growing vertical
(Cu, Cb)

Midcloudsymbols
Middle étage (Ac,As)
and downward-
growing vertical (Ns)

Highcloudsymbols
High étage (Ci,Cc,Cs)
Weather Symbols
Wind barbs
Cloud cover
STATION MODEL station models
are symbolic illustrations showing
the weather occurring at a given
reporting station. Meteorologists
created the station model to fit a
number of weather elements into a
small space on weather maps. This
allows map users to analyze
patterns in atmospheric pressure,
temperature, wind speed and
direction, cloud cover,
precipitation, and other parameters.
*OVERVIEW OF OCEAN PREDICTION CENTER

Ocean Prediction Center - Overview The OPC strives to provide the world's best
marine weather forecasts, preventing loss of life and property at sea. It an integral
component of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) located
at the National Center for Weather and Climate Prediction in College Park,
Maryland.

OPC originates and issues marine warnings and forecasts, continually monitors
and analyzes maritime data, and provides guidance of marine atmospheric
variables for purposes of protection of life and property, safety at sea, and
enhancement of economic opportunity. These products fulfill U.S. responsibilities
with the World Meteorological Organization and Safety of Life at Sea Convention
(SOLAS) [International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960 and 1974].

OPC also provides forecast points in coordination with the National Hurricane
Center (NHC) for Tropical Cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean E of 60W and N of
20N. In emergency situations OPC acts as a backup to the National Hurricane
Center (NHC) and the Honolulu National Weather Service Office taking over the
marine functions. Those offices also act as backups to OPC's marine functions.

History

The Ocean Prediction Center (OPC), established in 1995, was one of the National
Centers for Environmental Prediction's (NCEP's) original six service centers.
However, the basis for OPC's mission can be traced back to the sinking of the
Titanic in April 1912. In response to that tragedy, an international commission
was formed to determine requirements for safer ocean voyages. In 1914, the
commission's work resulted in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention; the United
States is one of the original signatories. The National Weather Service (NWS),
through OPC, assumed the U.S. obligation to issue warnings and forecasts for
portions of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans.
Current Operations and Responsibilities

OPC's Ocean Forecast Branch issues warnings and forecasts in print (bulletins) and
graphical formats, on a 24x7 basis up to five days in advance. Over 100 of these
products are issued daily. They cover the North Atlantic Ocean from the west
coast of Europe to the U.S. and Canadian east coast and the North Pacific Ocean
from the U.S. and Canadian west coast to the east coast of Asia. OPC weather
forecasts and warnings for these areas primarily ensure the safety of ocean-
crossing commercial ships and other vessels on the high seas. Imbedded in these
high seas areas are smaller offshore zones off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
These zones extend from near the coast seaward to just beyond the U.S. Exclusive
Economic Zones, out to about 250 nm. OPC services ensure the safety of the
extensive commercial and recreational fishing, boating, and shipping activities in
these offshore waters.
1.Areal extent: Region of coverage is the over marine areas of the Northern
Hemisphere S of 67N to 15 degrees S (except Indian Ocean).
2.Temporal extent: Guidance and forecasts are issued for time periods where
useful skill exists out to 96 hours for seas and 120 hours for weather systems.
3.Application activities: Conducted to support the civilian maritime community
and other government agencies in support of safety of life at sea , i.e. U.S. Coast
Guard.
4.Product suite: Support for transoceanic, fishing, and recreational marine users,
coastal communities, marine navigation, and other marine interests.
5.Product distribution: Direct support for all national and international marine
users. MPC produces principal guidance for National Weather Forecast Offices
with offshore and coastal responsibilities, and other marine related programs.
Radiofacsimile Schedule
In addition to being available online through the Ocean Prediction Center
homepage, the graphical products described below are transmitted directly to
vessels at sea and the public along coastal areas via High Frequency (HF) short-
wave radiofacsimile through transmitters of the U.S. Coast Guard at Marshfield,
MA, and Point Reyes, CA. The Coast Guard transmits these products at scheduled
times throughout the day.

Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Alaska Pacific Ocean

Short wave Radio Broadcast

Also, a brief version of the High Seas Forecast (HSF), which covers the North
Pacific Ocean E of 140W and North Atlantic W of 35W is broadcast via High
Frequency (HF) short-wave radio station, WWV in Fort Collins, Colorado. The
Atlantic forecast is broadcast in two parts at HH+08 and HH+09 minutes. The
Pacific forecast is broadcast at HH+10 minutes. These warnings and forecasts are
updated every six hours at 0500 UTC, 1100 UTC, 1700 UTC, and 2300 UTC.
WWV transmits on 2.5 MHz, 5.0 MHz, 10.0 MHz, 15.0 MHz, and 20.0 MHz
continuously 24 hours a day. In addition WWV marine broadcasts can be heard at
these times at (303) 499-7111.
*GRIB FORECASTING
GRidded Information in Binary (GRIB) files are output direct from Numerical
Weather Prediction programs and provide an extremely useful and cost effective
tool. GRIB information is purely objective; there is no human assessment, quality
control nor any guarantee that the data are correct. Computer and communications
systems can, and do fail from time to time. For short term use it is essential to view
them in the context of GMDSS forecasts that benefit from expert assessment of the
computer predictions. GRIB forecasts are particularly useful for planning purposes
for the next few days ahead. There are finer scale, meso-scale, forecasts that may
add value in the form of more localised detail but, again, these should be used with
care and in the light of hard won experience.
*500 MB CHART AT SEA
One of the more useful weather charts in additional to surface analysis and forecast
charts is the 500-millibar chart. The 500-millibar surface is a constant pressure
surface approximately midway up in the troposphere (the lowest layer of the Earth
atmosphere). Roughly half of the atmosphere is above and half is below the 500-
millibar level. The pressure exerted by the air column above this level is exactly
500 mb, but the height of this surface varies. The 500-mb constant pressure surface
generally averages 18,000 feet (5,600 meters) in height but can vary from between
15,000 feet (4,700 meters) in a cold and dense atmosphere, to nearly 20,000 feet
(6,000 meters) in a very warm and less dense atmosphere.

The solid contours shown on a 500-mb chart represent geopotential height —

basically, the height in whole meters. The number 5640 means 5,640 meters. In a
sense, you are looking at a topographical map of the 500-mb pressure surface.
Since the heights are lower in colder air masses and higher in warm air masses, in
the Northern Hemisphere the heights are generally lower to the north and higher to
the south.
The closer the 500-mb height contours, the stronger the horizontal and vertical
temperature contrasts and the faster the wind speed at the 500-mb level (the wind
at this level is generally parallel to the height contours). A simple rule of thumb is
that the tighter the height contours, the higher the wind speed, and the stronger the
temperature difference below 500 mb.

Winds at the 500-mb level are generally not the actual jet stream, which is
generally between 200 and 300 mb. Jet streams exist due to horizontal temperature
contrasts. In an extremely cold atmosphere, the Arctic jet stream can extend down
to 500 mb. However, meteorologists do call wind speed maxima at 500 mb “jets”
or “jet streaks.” On the 500-mb charts distributed by the National Weather Service,
only 500-mb heights and winds are depicted. The distribution of height contours,
and therefore the strength of the 500-mb winds, implies the strength of horizontal
temperature contrasts.

The "L" and "H" labels represent areas of relatively higher and lower heights. An L
or H with a closed contour around it implies that the high or low has a closed
circulation with the wind circulating around it.

Troughs are areas of relatively lower heights and are U- or V-shaped contours.

Ridges are areas of higher heights; these are shaped like an upside down U or V
and are indicated by a zigzag line.

On 500-mb charts, the 5,640-meter height contour is enhanced in bold. Some basic
rules of thumb used by marine meteorologists concerning the 5640 contour and the
500-mb wind maxima are:

• In wintertime, the 5640 contour is an excellent indication of the southern extent

of surface winds of Force 7 westerlies or greater. In summer, the 5640 height
contour is more representative of Force 6 surface westerlies.

• The surface storm track is usually 300 to 600 nautical miles north and
parallel to the 5640 height contour.
• Fronts (cold fronts in particular) and surface storm centers move at
approximately one-third to one-half of the wind speed.

• The surface wind speed, especially in the west to southwest quadrant of a

surface low (in the cold air) is approximately 50 percent of the 500-mb wind
speed.

*VIDEO PRESENTATION

https://youtu.be/bd7DcVnrSL8
https://youtu.be/RbHOr9L3HeE
https://youtu.be/-OuSnA9f9qg
https://youtu.be/GtR9cf9qSyw