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Metcheck Forecast Room - Meteorological Discussions
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Sometimes, the front page articles just aren't big enough to cover all our thoughts and ramblings on the developing weather.
By using graphical analysis from the weather models, as well as full forecasting terminology, you can see how events are being discussed here at Metcheck. The discussions aim to provide unparalleled access to forecasters thoughts and you may even start talking like us too ;-)
Here are the latest discussions from the Metcheck forecasters.
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| Current Discussions (PREMIUM ONLY) |
| 850mb Theta-e - Its Use In Forecasting |
On a couple of occasions now I've used the chart that shows us theta-e or equivalent potential temperature. It is a complex meteorological variable but in its basic form is a fantastic tool for picking out weather fronts and different types of air masses...here I will highlight its uses within weather forecasting...
Starting with a few examples of the theta-e charts;
CHART 1:
CHART 2:
Theta-e allows weather forecasters to see different air masses depending on what specific meteorological chart is being used. In this instance the yellow and orange colours on the above charts show a warm and moist air mass, while the blues and purples signal cold and dry air masses...
Of interest on Chart 1 for example would be the high pressure located over the UK and North Sea. Notice how to the east of the high pressure deep blue colours are filter southwards in association with a cold and dry air mass which is originating over Northern Scandinavia, obviously a cold source. In contrast to the west of the low pressure there are some areas of yellow, this is signalling a warm and moist air mass as air is being pulled northwards from the Azores region of the North Atlantic.
Seeing air masses are directly associated with frontal systems they also allow us to locate weather fronts. For example on Chart 2...notice how there is an area of low pressure over Southern Greenland and to the south of this there is a section of yellow and orange colours. This is signalling a warm sector of a low pressure system. You will notice just to the east of Newfoundland the colours change very quickly over a short distance (tight thermal gradient), this is because of colder and drier air filtering in behind a cold front. Where the yellow colours end and the green colours begin is where the cold front would be located in association with this specific low pressure.
So there you have it. Theta-e is a fantastic tool for showing us areas of warmth and moisture along with cold and dry air masses as well as highlighting where weather fronts area.
FORECASTER: HUGO
Discussion Added : 14 October 2007 |
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