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Synoptic Analysis and Forecasting: An Introductory Toolkit, Second Edition provides a bridge between early meteorology courses and more advanced courses in synoptic-dynamic analysis. This valuable reference also imparts qualitative weather analysis and forecasting tools and techniques to researchers and practitioners who require deeper foundational knowledge of weather forecasting. Sections introduce readers to surface weather instrumentation, observations, and plots, radiosondes and upper-air charts, a process-based guide to understanding the motion and intensity of cyclones, anticyclones, fronts, and the diagnosis of vertical motion and associated large-scale weather conditions.
After learning about the applications of modern satellite and radar imagery to synoptic analysis and forecasting, readers are provided a complete three-dimensional picture of the troposphere through thermodynamic diagram and sounding analysis techniques. This invaluable resource offers strong support for building qualitative weather observation, analysis, and forecasting skills.
List of contents
1. Meteorological Conventions
2. Surface Observations and Instrumentation
3. METAR Code
4. Upper-Air Observations
5. Upper-Tropospheric Charts
6. Lower-Tropospheric Charts
7. Upper-Tropospheric Processes
8. Lower-Tropospheric Processes
9. Putting it all Together
10. Fronts and Drylines
11. Satellite Imagery
12. Radar Imagery
13. Thermodynamic Diagram Basics
14. Sounding Interpretation
15. Weather Forecasting Basics
About the author
Dr. Shawn Milrad has taught synoptic-dynamic meteorology, weather forecasting, and climate dynamics courses at three universities since 2009, including at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University since 2013. He has also developed innovative student forecasting initiatives and severe weather field courses. The author is strongly committed to the proper teaching and training of weather analysis and forecasting concepts to diverse international audiences. Dr. Milrad’s research focuses on extreme weather events such as heat waves, floods, severe convection, and ice storms. In 2023–2024, Dr. Milrad was chosen for a prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award, through which he is currently a guest researcher at the University of Bergen in Norway, studying extreme heat and associated human health impacts. Much of Dr. Milrad’s passion comes from educating and mentoring the next generation of atmospheric scientists and weather-adjacent professionals, such as those in the aviation and emergency management fields. Of Dr. Milrad’s 33 peer-reviewed publications since 2009, 11 had first authors who were his undergraduate research assistants.
