Weather Forecasting Handbook

by Tim Vasquez

For decades weather books have been produced in three different A) anecdotal illustrated books for the general public; B) introductory textbooks for college undergraduates; and C) highly complex titles for researchers. The Weather Forecasting Handbook breaks these stereotypes by delivering a practical forecasting manual that's neither dumbed down nor filled with tons of math. It's perfect for any weather fanatic who wants an "insider's guide" on how to interpret the numerous forecasting charts now found on the Internet. It also makes a valuable reference guide for professionals. The book touches on important fundamentals, then leads the reader on a very readable overview of dynamics, barotropic systems, baroclinic systems, air masses, numerical forecasting, weather phenomena, and operational forecasting. It succinctly summarizes important forecast concepts and techniques that are used on a daily basis throughout the National Weather Service. The book contains over a hundred illustrations, showing key concepts and real-life examples of different weather systems, from heat lows to polar highs. The Weather Forecasting Handbook is a must-have for all meteorology students, advanced weather hobbyists, professionals, weathercasters, storm chasers, sailors, and pilots. Whether you want to know how a short wave works, how to find a front, what isentropic surfaces are, how to analyze a 500-millibar chart, what type of vertical motion to expect around jet streaks, or why a high pressure area is building, the Weather Forecasting Handbook's no-nonsense approach will give you a solid foundation to understanding everyday forecasting problems.

97 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Autumn Slaght · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay...let me preface this review by saying I know I'm not a PhD level reader so forgive me if this review sounds like the ramblings of a primative, lazy reader.
I bought this book as research for one of my latest novels, and I regret it. I thought it was going to be about forecasting the weather but it's like reading a meteorology dictionary. It is literally nothing but chapter after chapter after chapter of definitions. And most of the definitions...I have to google anyway because they don't make sense! He didn't even bother to explian what METAR meant...he just assumes I already know all these meterology terms. But the whole reason I bought this book is because I'm a beginner.
I have started this book 3 times but I will not finish it. I can't get past chapter 3. I won't discourage anyone from reading it! Just expept that it will be nothing but definitions. Maybe someone who is smarter than me can make heads or tails of it but I will keep it as a reference book only. Lol.

[Vasil Kolev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reference work, and as such looks really good. I will either reread it, or the new edition when it arrives, as it definitely requires slow, careful reading to assimilate the large amount of information in there.