Meteorology is the scientific study
of the atmosphere or what we refer to as the weather. The study of the atmosphere goes back
approximately a thousand years; but real progress in this field did not occur
until the 18th century. It
makes sense that it wasn’t until after the creation of the computer that a significant
advancement in weather forecasting was attained. Atmospheric phenomenon are observable weather
events which are explained by meteorology.
These events are associated with various variables existing within the
Earth’s atmosphere such as temperature, air pressure, water vapor and the
interactions with each variable.
The beginning of the science of
meteorology can be traced back to ancient India. The ancient documents called the Upanishads,
contained information about cloud formations and seasonal cycles caused by the
movement of the earth around the sun.
According to Wikipedia, in 350 BC Aristotle wrote Meteorology. He is
considered the founder of meteorology.
Aristotle gave an impressive details about the hydrologic cycle. The Greek Scientist, Theophrastus, completed
a book on weather forecasting called the Book
of Signs. His work remained in the
forefront and a major influence concerning weather forecasting for
approximately 2000 years. In 1494,
Christopher Columbus documented the first European account of a hurricane. In 1654, Ferdinando II de Medici established
the first weather observing network that consisted of meteorological stations
in Florence, Cutigliano, Vallombrosa, Bologna, Parma, Milan, Innsbruck,
Osnabruck, Paris and Warsaw. Weather
observation data was collected and sent to Florence on a regular basis.
Each science has its own unique set
of laboratory equipment. There are many
qualities or variations in the atmosphere that can be measured including rain,
wind, and humidity. The later can be
felt but not seen. The devices to
measure these phenomenon were invented during the 15th century and
were referred to as the rain gauge, the anemometer, and the hygrometer. Sets of surface measurements are important
data to collect also. This data gives a
snapshot of a variety of weather conditions at a specific location and this location
is usually a weather station. The
measurements taken at a weather stations may include temperature, pressure,
wind measurements, and humidity and these are measured by a thermometer,
barometer, anemometer, and hygrometer.
Upper air data are of utmost importance for weather forecasting. The most widely used are radiosondes. These are launched into the atmosphere. A network of aircraft collection supplement
the information gleaned by the radiosondes. The small aircraft that take off from
the Kincheloe, MI airstrip collect data for the local weather station that
serves Sault Ste. Marie, MI and the surrounding areas. Air balloons are sent into the air to collect
the data using the radiosondes technology.
On March 12, 2014, I attended a
session on Meteorology and the presenter stated that weather forecasting was
why people watch television the most. He
worked for Channel 9 and 10 which covers 36 counties and now he does the
weather broadcasts for Eagle Radio 95.1.
He showed a film about a 1991 Kansas tornado. The people hid under an overpass. They ended up being very lucky because they
were up high under the overpass and needed to be lower such as in a ditch. The
higher up you are the stronger the winds.
There was a discussion about tornado paths. From Kalamazoo, MI to Hillsdale, MI is considered
Tornado Alley. The wind variations and
other factors associated with the Great Lakes are linked to the cause of this
phenomenon. The presenter stated that 80
to 90% of tornadoes travel southwest to northeast. A website was explored during the
presentation: http://tempest.aos.wisc.edu/wcp_images/gf
.
Another
source is Weathersmart.com. He demonstrated why we were experiencing
colder weather at this time of year by showing us a front that was holding the
cold air in place and once this shifts we will get warmer weather. We are 20 degrees colder than average for
Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
Lake Effect Snow is caused by air
moving slowly over the lakes and collecting moisture. Then this moisture is mixed with the cold air
and turns into a downfall of a lot of snow. If it is too windy, there won’t be
lake effect snow. Ten to 15 mile per
hour winds are perfect for lake effect snow to develop. Our lakes are frozen right now so moisture
will not be collected and delivered over land in a large amount of
snowfall.
During the presentation information
was handed out about the difference between warning and watches. A tornado warning is an alert telling us by
the weather services that there are going to be severe thunderstorms with
tornadoes being imminent. It may be
issued after a tornado or funnel cloud was seen by the public, storm chasers,
emergency management or law enforcement or more commonly today by radar
indications of tornado formations. Take
cover immediately if a tornado warning is issued for your county. A tornado watch is issued if conditions are
favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms that are capable of
producing tornadoes. The same goes for
thunderstorm warnings versus watches.
Being in an area that experiences a lot of snowfall, we pay attention to
winter storm warnings and watches. All
these services are put into place to protect us.
Weather forecasting has been going
on for a long time. Attempts have been
made rather successfully to predict the weather. Meteorology serves as a reminder of how much
we have control of and how much is out of our control. We are often at the mercy of the weather for planning
many things in our lives. The presenter
was asked about what to expect this spring in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
since we got such a large amount of snow this year and the St. Mary’s River and
Lakes are frozen. It doesn’t look
good. For March, April and May we are
suppose to have lower than normal temperatures with a lot of precipitation. There was snow on May 11, 2013 and we have
been getting snow in October. I know I
am getting really sick of winter as many people are in the United States. He stated that this prediction was arrived at
by using national systems and looking back many years to find a year that is
similar to this year’s rainfall, snowfall and temperatures. Last year it really didn’t feel like we had a
spring of any sort, a short summer and fall and then it was winter again. Is it going to be the same this year??
Sharon, I have definatly had enough winter already and it is just the middle of Febrary.I have never seen a weather baloon over Kincheloe. Isn't that funny? Let's hope for an early an pleasent Spring.
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