Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Developments in observational systems for weather forecasting

1994; Wiley; Volume: 1; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/j.1469-8080.1994.tb00002.x

1469-8080

K. A. Browning, G. Szejwach,

Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research

There have been significant improvements in forecasting skills brought about by recent advances in numerical weather prediction. Some improvements can also be attributed to better observations but here the achievements have been patchy. There is, however, considerable scope for further improvements through advances in observing technology and, not least, in the effectiveness with which the observations are used. In examining these issues in this review we concentrate on those techniques that hold particular promise for operational improvements over the next decade. Techniques of interest primarily to the reseach community are not covered. Most of the observational systems discussed here are non‐labour intensive and exploit some form of remote‐sensing principle. The systems include satellites, ground‐based radar, wind and temperature profilers, and sferics detection networks. Observational systems are expensive and, although their implementation should lead to greater accuracy and specificity in weather analyses and forecasts, the extent to which this will occur depends on the customers' recognition of the benefits of such improvements and on their willingness to pay for them.