Operational Weather Forecasting: (Advancing Weather and Climate Science)

Table of Contents:
Series Foreword vii Preface ix Acknowledgements xiii 1 Introduction 1 1.1 A brief history of operational weather forecasting 2 2 The Nature of theWeather Forecasting Problem 9 2.1 Atmospheric predictability 9 2.2 The importance of observations in weather forecasting 13 2.3 An overview of the operational forecast process 17 Summary 25 3 Meteorological Observations 27 3.1 What do we need from a meteorological observing system? 27 3.2 Data transmission and processing 29 3.3 Observing platforms 31 Summary 51 4 NWP Models – the Basic Principles 53 4.1 The basic ingredients of an NWP model 55 4.2 Building the physical principles into a model 79 4.3 Setting the initial conditions for the forecast 89 Summary 107 5 Designing Operational NWP Systems 109 5.1 Practical considerations for an NWP suite 109 5.2 Ensemble prediction systems 124 5.3 Model output – what can NWP models produce? 130 5.4 Using NWP output to drive other forecast models 144 Summary 148 6 The Role of the Human Forecaster 149 6.1 The role of the senior forecasting team 150 6.2 Production of forecasts for customers 163 Summary 175 7 Forecasting at Longer Time Ranges 177 7.1 Where does the predictability come from in longer range forecasts? 178 7.2 Observations of ocean and land surface variables 185 7.3 Monthly to seasonal forecasting systems 187 7.4 Presentation of longer range forecasts 200 Summary 204 8 Forecast Verification 205 8.1 Deterministic forecast verification 208 8.2 Verification of probability forecasts 216 8.3 Subjective verification 219 Summary 222 References 223 Index 227

About the Author :
Peter Inness is a lecturer in the Meteorology Department of Reading University having previously been a Reasearch fellow in the Climate Division of the NERC funded National Centre for Atmospheric Science based at the University of Reading. Steve Dorling is Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Steve is also Innovations Director at UEA-based Weatherquest Ltd.

Review :
“Overall, this well written, well researched book is a great introduction to operational weather forecasting and the role of the operational meteorologist. It is also offers a good foundation for anyone considering the Royal Meteorological Society’s professional accreditations of Registered Meteorologist or Chartered Meteorologist.”  (Weather, 1 February 2015) “Summing Up: Recommended.  Upper-division undergraduates.”  (Choice, 1 November 2013)