Weather satellites take pictures of the world every 5 to 15 minutes. The images show cloud cover and help meteorologists understand the weather and forecast short term events.
Researchers in Nepal say a deadly storm that ripped through the country last month was a rare tornado. They confirmed it using satellite images, social-media posts and a visit to the area.
Weather Forecasting
Weather forecasting is a complicated task that is dependent on many factors, including atmospheric observations from the ground, high-speed satellites and numerical weather prediction (NWP) models.
A meteorological breakthrough of the past few decades was the invention and subsequent development of environmental satellites, which can be used to produce useful information such as maps, video and even weather forecasts. The best weather satellites are able to make several different types of observations.
The most important function of an environmental satellite is to deliver a picture of the earth from far above. This is accomplished through a series of regular 360deg orbits around the globe, each lasting about 1.5 hours.
Another more important function of these satellites is to provide meteorologists with the necessary data for their weather model. For example, the most accurate precipitation estimates are made by comparing the observed data with those provided by the global satellite network.
The most impressive capability of this technology is the ability to generate a map of the earth on a minute-by-minute basis, allowing meteorologists to plan and execute weather related operations. This is achieved through the use of a network of meteorological sensors which are gathered from a range of sources, from satellites and radars to aircraft and ground-based weather stations. The resulting map can be used to improve the quality of weather forecasts and help guide a better response to disasters.
Weather Radar
Weather radar is an invaluable tool for meteorologists as it provides an additional layer of data to improve weather forecasts and warnings. It can also be used to help determine the type and size of precipitation as well as its motion.
There are several types of weather radars. The most common is a basic pulse radar that uses a repetitive train of short-duration pulses to discriminate between objects and clutter. This radar can also identify moving precipitation using the Doppler effect.
Doppler radars are also often used to spot tornadoes and gusts of wind. These can be extremely useful in determining storm movement and identifying specific areas that are dangerous for people to be in.
Unlike basic pulse radars, Doppler radars can track the relative velocity of particles in the air. This is essential for predicting tornadoes and other weather phenomena, as it allows meteorologists to detect the debris that tornadoes would throw into the air.
Another important feature of Doppler radars is their ability to recognize the wind eddy and turbulence. These can be particularly helpful in detecting mesoscale phenomena like thunderstorms, which can cover small areas of the radar coverage and include rotations.
The output from most country radars is a set of 3D images over the entire coverage area. This is because the beam is scanning 360 degrees around the radar and it has enough angles to capture a 3D set of data over the coverage region.
This is a good feature because it gives the user an idea of the radial speed of the wind at various levels over the radar coverage. Moreover, it enables the user to extract wind at different levels over the coverage region and calculate the strength of the wind.
However, this is only an approximation of reality because the beam can be partially filled by rain and snow so that the rainfall rate is underestimated at larger distances. In addition, it is not always possible to determine the maximum altitude at which precipitation occurs within a volume as this is dependent on the scattering of the water molecules.
Weather Monitoring
Weather monitoring is a global activity that is crucial for a wide range of economic, environmental and civil protection activities. It involves analyzing and predicting the current weather, including wind speed and direction, air temperature, precipitation amount and humidity.
The accuracy of hydrometeorological prediction is essential for preventing and managing natural hazards, such as flooding and drought. Weather monitoring is a complex task, and requires advanced supercomputing to solve a range of mathematical problems.
One way to monitor the climate is through weather radar. Weather radar can detect a number of variables that are not readily visible from the ground, such as rain and snowfall. It also provides information on the location and extent of clouds.
There are several advantages of using weather monitoring systems, especially for people living in remote areas. These include real-time alerts and the ability to share weather reports with multiple people.
Moreover, the weather conditions can change at any moment, which means that you need to be prepared for it and stay aware of it at all times. With the help of a weather station, you can be sure that you will be able to avoid any kind of dangerous situations that can happen during bad weather.
You can also use the weather monitoring system to determine whether it is a good time to do outdoor activities or not. This will help you make the right decision and avoid any unnecessary expenses during your vacation.
The weather in Nepal can vary dramatically throughout the year, with extreme seasonal fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. These fluctuations can have a significant impact on daily life in the area.
Temperatures in Kathmandu generally fluctuate between 37 deg F and 84 deg F, with high temperatures occasionally reaching a maximum of 88 deg F. The average annual precipitation is approximately 7.3 inches.
The weather in Nepal is generally cloudy, with the chance of light snowfall at some places in the hilly regions. It is mainly fair in the rest of the country. During the summer, it can be hot and humid with a high UV index.
Weather Education
Weather education is a key component in educating students about the natural world. It can be as simple as having students take notes about the forecast or more complicated like a field trip where they are able to observe the weather outside and then discuss their findings.
There are many resources available to help teachers educate their students about weather and the science of it all. These include the various types of forecasting tools, weather charts and maps, and even a satellite weather forecast nepal.
The NASA Earth Science Education Center has a large selection of teaching materials for educators to choose from, including the latest weather news, weather forecasts and climate change education resources. They also have an excellent selection of lesson plans, projects and activities for both elementary and middle school levels.
One of the most impressive weather-related activities is a “cloud” experiment that uses shaving cream and food coloring to simulate rain. This is a fun and informative activity for all ages.
Another is a satellite photo of the city of Kathmandu, which was used to create a cool map showing cloud cover and precipitation. It’s a great way to get a quick understanding of the weather in your area and what you can expect from it.
HIWAT, or the High-Impact Weather Assessment Toolkit, is an advanced computer model that accurately predicts rainfall and other important weather conditions in a given region. It has been implemented by the Nepal Meteorological Department and several national organizations. It has been a boon for disaster mitigation, particularly for the upcoming monsoon season and is a great example of how satellite technology can be put to use in emergency preparedness.