SYNOPTIC METEOROLOGY AND ATMOSPHERIC THERMODYNAMICS EDUCATION IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF ALAGOAS, BRAZIL

Natalia FEDOROVA

Institute of Atmospheric Science of the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil natalia@dimin.net

Vladimir LEVIT

Institute of Atmospheric Science of the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil vladimirle@gmail.com

Eliton Lima de FIGUEIREDO

Institute of Atmospheric Science of the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a new didactic material description for education in Synoptic Meteorology and Atmospheric Thermodynamics in Portuguese for short-term weather forecast in Brazil. Four book volumes include basic synoptic information and description of specific synoptic systems and process in South America. Also, software for student traineeship of the short-term forecast over South America is presented. Keywords: software for traineeship, meteorology, books series and short-term forecast

1. INTRODUCTION The synoptic meteorology course is the basic for meteorological education in all Brazilian Universities. At the same time, deficiency of didactical material in Portuguese and absence of books about specific synoptic systems of South America create educational problems. This paper informs about the second Brazilian books series of the Synoptic Meteorology in Portuguese. The first books of course (“Synoptic Meteorology” volumes I and II, 1999, 2001; [1] , [2] ) were extended significantly. The base of this course is inspired in parts by Russian schools of the synoptic analysis and of satellite data interpretation for short term weather forecasting. It is know that for short-term weather forecast is necessary to analyze too much different information in very short time

period. The student traineeship in meteorological information selection and analysis is very important for educational process. Therefore the second aim of the paper is to describe software for student traineeship of the short-term forecast over South America.

2. SYNOPTIC METEOROLOGY BOOKS The Synoptic meteorology course was published in books series (Figure 1, [3], [4], [5] , [6] ): Synoptic I: Thermodynamic analysis and identification by satellite data of clouds, adverse phenomena and air mass. Synoptic II: Tropospheric dynamics and kinematics applied to the synoptic analysis. Synoptic III: Structure and evolution of the synoptic systems: Barotropic /baroclinic cyclones and anticyclones, fronts and jet streams. Identification by satellite data. Synoptic VI: Formation and evolution of the mesoscale and macroscale systems and processes acted in South America. These books present didactic material as equations, figures, graphics and principal information about synoptic systems and processes. All material was described in a form of topics. Specific information about satellite data using for the weather analysis and short term forecasting was included. Volume IV includes integral information about systems and processes important for weather forecasting in South America; it is the first Brazilian book about it. Also, each book has additional information in CD.

a)

b)

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Figure 1- Synoptic Meteorology books series: a) Synoptic I, b) Synoptic II, c) Synoptic III and d) Synoptic VI.

3. SOFTWARE FOR SHORT-TERM FORECAST

The original program for students’ traineeship in short-term weather forecast is described [7]. Satellite data, results of numerical models (analyses and forecast) and soundings are used. This traineeship method presents five principal groups of maps (pressure, temperature, vertical movement, humidity and instability). Each of these groups includes many different maps (for example, temperature group includes next temperatures: potential, equivalent potential, pseudo potential and relative geopotential maps). This traineeship method shows similarities and differences between these maps inside each group, comparisons with the other group maps and satellite data of infrared, water vapor and visible channels. The complex maps of the different group information were created for synoptic situation analysis. A present situation interpretation and short-term weather forecast elaboration (up to 96h, each 12h) are final results of this traineeship program.

The program uses the LINUX operational system and software GrADS. The meteorological parameters maps were elaborated by ETA model (40x40km). The next meteorological maps combinations (figure 2a) are used for the first step of student traineeship: 1) sea - level pressure with thickness between 1000 and 700hPa / stream lines with thermal advection at the pattern levels (figure 2b); 2) humidity convergence with stream lines / precipitation with sea- level pressure; 3) wind direction and velocity /relative vorticity with stream lines; 4) potential temperature with relative geopotential / relative humidity with air temperature; 5) stream lines with wind velocity at the middle levels / stream lines with wind velocity at the high levels. Theses meteorological parameters combination helps to understand a synoptic systems spatial structure and to elaborate weather forecast.

Figure 2- List of principal meteorological maps combinations (a) and example of four maps combination for synoptic analysis (b)

Also vertical soundings analysis (figure 3) and satellite information are used (figure 4). The soundings information is

the principal data for adverse phenomena forecast. Instability indexes are calculated for this forecast elaboration.

Figure 3- Analysis of vertical soundings: general information (a) and example of one sounding analyze (b). The satellite information archives were created for time period 2006 - 2008. The satellite data combination was elaborated by two satellites: GOES (channel 4) and METEOSAT (channel 9).

One example of the satellite information combination for synoptic systems analysis is presented in figure 4.

Figure 4- Example of the satellite data analysis: combination GOES e METEOSAT information in infrared channel in Mercator projection. The red color show more intensive cloudiness up to high levels and blue color present the middle levels clouds.

4. CONCLUSION

The Synoptic Meteorology course books can be used by undergraduate and graduate students of the meteorological departments and by professionals in weather forecast and as an educational accessories. The software for the short-term forecast is used with success for student traineeship in the Institute of Atmospheric Science of the Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil.

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The partial financial support was provided by CNPq (National Council of Scientific and Technological Development) and CAPES (Coordination of the Level Superior Personal Improvement).

6. REFERENCES [1] Natalia Fedorova, Meteorologia Sinótica, v I, Pelotas:

Editora e Grafica Universitária, 1999.

[2] Natalia Fedorova, Meteorologia Sinótica, v II, Pelotas: Editora e Grafica Universitária. 2001.

[3] Natalia Fedorova, Sinótica I: Análise termodinâmica e identificação através de imagens de satélite de nebulosidade, fenômenos adversos e massas de ar, Maceio: Editora da Universidade Federal de Alagoas, 2008.

[4] Natalia Fedorova, Sinótica II: Dinâmica e cinemática da troposfera aplicada à análise sinótica, Maceio: Editora da Universidade Federal de Alagoas, 2008.

[5] Natalia Fedorova, Sinótica III: Estrutura e evolução dos sistemas sinóticos: ciclones e anticiclones barotrópicos/ baroclínicos, frentes e correntes de jato. Identificação por meio de satélite, Maceio: Editora da Universidade Federal de Alagoas, 2008.

[6] Natalia Fedorova, Sinótica IV: Formação e evolução dos sistemas e processos da meso e macro escalas atuantes na América do Sul, Maceio: Editora da Universidade Federal de Alagoas, 2008.

[7] Eliton Lima de Figueiredo, Análise estatística e sinótica dos ventos máximos diários para a cidade de Maceió-Al e criação de um software sinótico operacional, MSc. Thesis, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceio, Brazil, 2009.