How Is math used in Meteorology? By: Jane Doe

What exactly is meteorology? METEOROLOGY:The science that deals with the phenomena of the atmosphere, especially weather and weather conditions

Where Does the math Come in play when studying meteorology?

It’s All About Equations… To predict the weather, meteorologists have sets of equations based on the land’s geography and starting weather conditions. With this information they can calculate future forecast by entering it into a computer to be processed. The longer the time predicted, the less accurate your prediction will be.

Example of a 7 day week Forecast…

Math helps us Organize. CHALLENGE Math helps us Organize *CHALLENGE*: What math skills are used in meteorology? Mathematical equations allows us to combine, average, and solve information. Using equations, geometry, estimating, charts, graphs, and scales we can find answers to weather concerns. Weather and math go hand in hand….

Numerical Modeling Numerical Modeling: The process of obtaining an objective forecast of the future state of the atmosphere by solving a set of equations that describe the evolution of variables. For example: *Temperature *Wind Speed *Humidity *Pressure All of which describe the atmosphere.

Still Don’t get numerical Modeling? Its OK! Numerical modeling is done through a computer. The equations of numerical modeling are extremely difficult. All YOU need to know is ….. Numerical modeling starts with analyzing the current state of the atmosphere. Conditions are found under the numerical models of the atmosphere which are all based in the same set of governing equations.

Classifying with geometry Depending on how high a cloud is, classifies it as a certain kind of cloud. Altitude:The height of a thing above a reference level, especially above sea level or above the earth's surface. Mathematics. The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the opposite vertex, parallel side, or parallel surface. Low clouds: Stratus (dull gray,usually overcast, associated with steady precipitation). Some other species of low clouds include nimbostratus, cumulus, stratocumulus, mamatocumulus. Middle clouds: Begin with the prefix alto. Examples include altocumulus, altostratus. High clouds: Cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus. Usually appear "feathery".

Estimating One of the most important techniques for making a forecast is to use weather maps to estimate You may estimate the speed of movement of air masses, fronts, and high and low pressure systems Meteorologists have to adjust the forecast for differences in *latitude, * possible acceleration/deceleration * intensification/deintensification of storm systems, *and local effects (such as topography, bodies of water, and the urban heat island effect ) All of these things are measured and located on…………..

Charts and Graphs Maps are used to locate a place in which the meteorologist is going to forecast the weather for. They also show Highs and Lows, pressures, Intensities, and Humidity. Graphing is used here. Some maps used in meteorology would include: *Geographical Map *Temperature map *Pressure map *Humidity map *Precipitation map *Forecast High and Low temperature maps

Scales Analyzing past and current weather is a huge part in Making a hypothesis for the next weather forecast. Meteorologists must use past information and the weather conditions it took place in, to figure it out. An easy way to organize that information is with Scales.

What kinds of scales are there? There are many kinds of scales to organize weather conditions. Here are a few…. Synoptic scale:Deals with Air masses, fronts, and pressure systems Mesoscale: Deals with effects of topography, bodies of water, the urban heat island, etc.

Example of a : Weather Scale

Reading temperatures and Pressures Being able to read the temperatures and pressures is key to organizing weather material. You may have to measure, temperature, water, and air on many types of scales. Chance of Precipitation        20% 0% 40% 30% 10% Wind Speed

Thermometer Thermometer:An instrument for measuring temperature, especially one having a graduated glass tube with a bulb containing a liquid, typically mercury or colored alcohol, that expands and rises in the tube as the temperature increases.

Hydrometer Hydrometer: An instrument, (various ways to construct) used for measuring the velocity or discharge of water, as in rivers, from reservoirs,from clouds to earth, etc., and called by various specific names.

Hydrometry Hydrometry is measuring water. It’s the science that deals with how much water air can hold at a given temperature and pressure. It is the probability of clouds, fog, and rain. NO absolute Humidity, just relative.

Concluding math and meteorology… So that’s the basics! To refresh your memory… In meteorology It starts with analyzing the current conditions… Then organizing the information with mathematical equations… Its then put into a computer and processed… These mathematical equations are solved and put into physical processes….. OK. A little confusing but you get the drift… Hope you learned something…I did! If You have any questions ask me!

Bibliography The Weather Companion, Gary Lockhart, Copyright 1988 http://atm.geo.nsf.gov/instruction/forecast_contest http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/weather/meteormath.html http://www.tc.cornell.edu/Services/Edu/MathSciGateway/meteorology.asp