Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology
The word synoptic means "view together" or "view at a common point". Synoptic meteorology, therefore, is primarily concerned with viewing the weather at a common point in time.
Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology
The word synoptic means "view together" or "view at a common point". Synoptic meteorology, therefore, is primarily concerned with viewing the weather at a common point in time.
The word synoptic means "view together" or "view at a common point". Synoptic meteorology, therefore, is primarily concerned with viewing the weather at a common point in time.
Also known as large scale or cyclonic scale, the size of weather patterns we look at range from about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) across to about 1,500 miles (2,500 kilometers).
When different parameters of the Earth's atmosphere are viewed together at the synoptic scale, then large-scale weather patterns emerge, such as extratropical cyclones and their associated fronts.
In order for meteorologists to understand any relevant information from a map like the one above, one of the primary things they must check is the time these weather elements were observed. We will begin by learning about synoptic times displayed on weather maps and text products issued by the National Weather Service.