I’m starting to practice weather forecasting with the 500mb and surface charts. The NWS site has lots of different charts with different forecasts such as 12,24 or 36hr forecasts. Which one of these would you recommend that I use to practice?
These are the charts I download: 15.00Z Surface Analysis Chart Part 1 10E-45W Northern Hemisphere Size: 38.4K–Updated: Fri Nov 26 03:23:37 1999 UTC 16.00Z Surface Analysis Chart Part 2 40W-95W Northern Hemisphere Size: 32.5K–Updated: Fri Nov 26 03:33:36 1999 UTC 28.00Z 500MB Surface Chart Analysis 45W-85W Northern Hemisphere Size: 26.8K–Updated: Thu Nov 25 23:23:35 1999 UTC.
I’m “superimposing” the 500mb on the surface analysis charts to forecast what the weather will be like for the next 24 hrs. Am I on the right track?? Regards, Susan
Hi Susan: The best approach is to download the current analysis (i.e. surface analysis or 500mb analysis) which tells you what the forecasters/or aviation computer model thinks is happening right now. Then get the 24, 48, and 96 hour progs (forecasts) for surface and 500mb. Your approach at overlaying works well, as does looking at each level in sequence. You will find that there is a rhythm at the 500mb level which will become noticable after a while. I’d start with that, and then see if you can tell how it relates to surface conditions. Each day it helps to compare the current analysis with the forecasts from the previous days. This will give you a feel for how the forecasters and/or computer models are doing. For North America you can download either or both of the coasts. If you are planning on cruising in one area rather than the other, I’d concentrate there. Look at this as if you were aboard your boat with the fax running–in which case you will be looking at about eight charts, once or twice a day. Sounds like you are on the right track. Good luck. Steve
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
