SHW Ch. 2 - Meteorological Measurements

• Synoptic Meteorology: the analysis of weather data for forecasting & research

• Time Zones: the international standard for meteorology is Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Zulu Time (Z); Figure 2.1

• Eastern Standard Time (EST) is 5 hours behind UTC (e.g., 12Z = 7 AM EST)

• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) is 4 hours behind UTC (e.g., 12Z = 8 AM EDT)

• Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS): NOAA

• Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS): FAA/DOD

• Both systems above work 24/7 and create the Meteorological Aviation Reports (METAR); Figure 2.2 & 2.3

• Rawinsondes: a balloon-borne instrument system that measures temperature, dew point temperature and pressure; by tracking the balloon with RADAR, the wind direction and speed can be determined; Figure 2.4 & 2.5

• Radiosonde: same as above, but wind data not available.

• Primary balloon launch times: 00Z and 12Z

• Sounding: rawinsonde data (temp, dew point, pressure and wind) is plotted on a thermodynamic diagram (e.g., Skew-T/Log P); Figure 2.6 & 2.7