Synoptic Analysis and Forecasting: An Introductory Toolkit, Second Edition provides a bridge between early meteorology courses and more advanced courses in synoptic-dynamic analysis. This valuable reference also imparts qualitative weather analysis and forecasting tools and techniques to researchers and practitioners who require deeper foundational knowledge of weather forecasting. Sections introduce readers to surface weather instrumentation, observations, and plots, radiosondes and upper-air charts, a process-based guide to understanding the motion and intensity of cyclones, anticyclones, fronts, and the diagnosis of vertical motion and associated large-scale weather conditions.

After learning about the applications of modern satellite and radar imagery to synoptic analysis and forecasting, readers are provided a complete three-dimensional picture of the troposphere through thermodynamic diagram and sounding analysis techniques. This invaluable resource offers strong support for building qualitative weather observation, analysis, and forecasting skills.

Key Features

• Provides a comprehensive overview of surface instrumentation, observations, and plots
• Offers a process-based understanding on the motion, intensity, and weather impacts of synoptic-scale weather systems such as cyclones and fronts
• Shares tools and techniques for large-scale weather analysis and basic weather forecasting

New Features

• The author plans to expand on several topics, particularly in the satellite and radar chapters. Geostationary satellite imagery technology and products have advanced substantially since the 1st edition; new tools such as nighttime microphysics and fire temperature have greatly increased our real-time weather monitoring capabilities. These topics would be covered in the new edition
• Another minor addition would be critical thickness and precipitation type in Chapter 8. This will allow the reader to make basic precipitation type forecasts based on 1000–500-hPa thickness values. Finally, I will add a Tephigrams subsection to Chapter 13 to make that chapter more useful to non-U.S. audiences