GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IN METEOROLOGY

Geographic Information System in Meteorology

Abstract

Over the last ten years, study has substantially expanded into the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in a variety of submissions that engage the processing of climatological and meteorological data. This upsurge of concern is associated exactly to the drop in cost of 'commercial off-the-shelf' GIS goods simultaneously with large improvement in computer processing ability. Add to this the expansion of the Internet and the outcome is a set of very fast real-time bespoke answers and visualisations for numerous nationwide meterological services and end-users. This Special Issue of Meteorological Applications would not have been likely without the assist ofGuest Editors Izabela Dyras (PolishMeteorological Institute) and Olga Wilhelmi (National Center for Atmospheric Research, USA) to who I articulate my genuine thanks. I would furthermore like to express gratitude all constituents of the COST719 programme, particularly theManagement Committee and Chairperson Hartwig Dobesch.

Geographic Information System in Meteorology

Introduction

 Direct meteorological facts (e.g. from rainfall measures, thermometers and anemometers), or digressive facts (e.g. from satellites or climate radars) supply distinct thematic levels of data that can be helpful new parameters recounting the state of the atmosphere. In specific, GIS procedures permit the comprehensive investigation of spatial patterns of diverse atmospheric parameters, supplying an in deepness gaze into the regularities and variability of climate and weather over time and space. Many climatic parameters are powerfully reliant on geographical components for example topography, land use and vegetation size (to title the most significant ones). This is why GIS submissions in meteorology and climatology have been thriving, spanning the gap between researchers evolving GIS methods, geographers and atmospheric scientists. GIS has been utilised in meteorology and climatology in both the USA (see the NCAR GIS website: http://www.gis.ucar.edu/) and Europe (see the COST719 website: http://www.knmi.nl/samenw/ cost719/). This exceptional topic best features some opportunity work in GIS Applications in Europe. The assemblage of European papers offered in this topic came from one-by-one assistance to the Session GIS in meteorology and climatology held at the EGU Congresses in 2003 and 2004.

Discussion

Other Action conclusions encompassed b-testing of ArcGIS 9.2, questionnaires on the use of GIS programs in the meteorological and climatological community, participation in tasks like UNIDART and Land-SAF and hardworking participation in the INSPIRE initiative. In spite of some obstacles, an inventory of facts and numbers programmes and accessible geographical datasets was prepared. The Action effectively in evaluation spatialisation algorithms for some meteorological components, from some nations, in distinct levels (mean monthly air warmth, every day smallest and greatest warmth, precipitation sums and farthest precipitation sums, exterior breeze power density, exterior breeze velocity, air contamination and air value, international emission, sunshine length and cloudiness, snowfall cover deepness, diverse weather indicators and phenological data). The Action conveyed out a relative investigation of distinct interpolation procedures for major meteorological components (air warmth, precipitation totals). A publications reconsider of preceding investigations on inter-comparisons of interpolation procedures was furthermore produced. The technical outcomes of the Action 719 have emerged in 14 technical ...