More than 20 years after the last book on the subject the worldwide precipitation community has produced a comprehensive overview of its activities, achievements, ongoing research and future plans. Measuring Precipitation from Space presents state-of-the-art rainfall estimation algorithms, validation strategies, precipitation modelling, and assimilation in numerical weather prediction models. Clouds and precipitation observations and modelling are addressed for the improvement of the rainfall product quality. Special attention is given to the applications to monitoring and forecasting weather events and to climate monitoring in a frame of growing public interest. No other book can offer to scientists, Ph.D. or equivalent students, professionals in environmental disciplines, and decision makers such a powerful tool to understand the basics of remote sensing for precipitation, to make use of existing products and to have a glimpse of the near future missions and instruments. Other categories of readers will find in the book reference material for their questions on weather and climate applications. The essays are written by the most qualified experts in the field of passive and active remote sensing, cloud and mesoscale modelling, validation and space mission planning. Top academic and research institutions and space agencies have concurred to the first joint effort ever.

This book covers the entire range of developments in the operational and research use of RADAR for meteorological applications, such as aviation, precipitation measurement and hydrology, tropical cyclone observation and forecasting and wind profiling. The book emphasises the operational aspects of Radar Meteorology. It also traces the evolution of the subject including older technologies still in use in some countries, which will help students assimilate the basic principles. A unique feature of the book is a detailed treatment of tropical cyclones as observed by radar, a topic of great interest in tropical countries. Another feature is the extensive bibliography on each topic to assist the interested reader to pursue the subject. This book is suitable as a text or reference book for professional radar meteorologists, professional training courses for personnel of meteorological services, and for university courses in atmospheric science and meteorology. Radar Meteorology

This book presents decade-long advances in atmospheric research in the Mackenzie River Basin in northern Canada, which encompasses environments representative of most cold areas on Earth. Collaborative efforts by a team of about 100 scientists and engineers have yielded knowledge entirely transferable to other high latitude regions in America, Europe and Asia. Emphases are placed on the investigation of processes (including storm genesis, precipitation, moisture and energy fluxes and frost), and the improvement and application of a suite of models and remote sensing to enhance the assessment of climate variability and water resources. This book complements the second volume coming from the GEWEX project, dealing with the region''s hydrological processes. Together these books provide a unique synthesis of atmospheric and hydrological findings and an integrative approach across disciplines in addressing major research issues of cold regions.

Solar radiation data is important for a wide range of applications, e.g. in engineering, agriculture, health sector, and in many fields of the natural sciences. A few examples showing the diversity of applications may include: architecture and building design e.g. air conditioning and cooling systems; solar heating system design and use; solar power generation; weather and climate prediction models; evaporation and irrigation; calculation of water requirements for crops; monitoring plant growth and disease control; and, skin cancer research. Solar radiation data must be provided in a variety of forms to suit these applications. The radiation reaching the upper atmosphere of the Earth is a quantity rather constant in time. But the radiation reaching some point on Earth surface is random in nature. The main cause is the fact that various gases within the atmosphere absorb solar radiation at different wavelengths, and clouds and dust also affect it. There are two ways to obtaining solar radiation data at ground level: by measurement and by modelling.The book will facilitate the calculation of solar radiation required by engineers, designers and scientists and, as a result, will increase the access to needed solar radiation data.

Brock, Fred V. Richardson, Scott J.This book treats instrumentation used in meteorological surface systems, both on the synoptic scale and the mesoscale, and the instrumentation used in upper air soundings. The text includes material on first- and second-order differential equations as applied to instrument dynamic performance, and required solutions are developed. Sensor physics are emphasized in order to explain how sensors work and to explore the strengths and weaknesses of each design type. The book is organized according to sensor type and function (temperature, humidity, and wind sensors, for example), though several unifying themes are developed for each sensor. Functional diagrams are used to portray sensors as a set of logical functions, and static sensitivity is derived from a sensor's transfer equation, focusing attention on sensor physics and on ways in which particular designs might be improved. Sensor performance specifications are explored, helping to compare various instruments and to tell users what to expect as a reasonable level of performance. Finally, the text examines the critical area of environmental exposure of instruments. In a well-designed, properly installed, and well-maintained meteorological measurement system, exposure problems are usually the largest source of error, making this chapter one of the most useful sections of the book.

The past 100 years are a key period for understanding climate variability and climate change as it marks the changeover from a climate system dominated by natural influences to a climate system dominated by anthropogenic influences. This volume compiles a number of contributions to a workshop held in Gwatt, Switzerland, in July 2006 dealing with different aspects of climate change, variability, and extremes during the past 100 years. The individual contributions cover a broad range of topics, ranging from the re-evaluation of historical marine data to the effect of solar variability on the stratosphere. ''This volume brings together a fascinating and varied set of papers on climatic variability and change. The papers highlight what modelers can learn by greater study of observations, while the latter were informed about the types of observations required to reduce model uncertainties'' - Phil Jones, University of East Anglia. ''The authors of this volume extend the classical reanalysis perspective for studying climate phenomena during the past 100 years!'' - Heinz Wanner, Director, Swiss NCCR Climate.

Funf Freundinnen. Vier Liebesgeschichten. Ein gefahrliches Geheimnis.Avery, Isabella, Odina, Lee und Josie sind 17, wild und die besten Freundinnen, seit sie sich im Surfcamp auf der kleinen Insel vor der Kuste South Carolinas kennenlernten. Es ist der Sommer ihres Lebens bis Josie plotzlich spurlos verschwindet. Erst zehn Jahre spater kommen sie dem Ratsel auf die Spur ...

Synoptic meteorology, the study of large-scale weather systems and forecasting using observation, and dynamic meteorology, the study of the laws of physics involved in air movement, are treated in this major new text in two volumes. The author, a meteorologist noted for his research on tornadoes and severe storms, based his work on material he has taught for the past 14 years at the University of Oklahoma. There are no modern texts on the topic. Volume II covers the formation, motion and climatology of extratropical weather systems in the context of the quasigeostrophic theory and "IPV" thinking, the formation and structure of fronts and jets, applications of semigeostrophic theory, and the observed structure and dynamics of precipitation systems in midlatitudes.

Lightning: Physics and Effects is the first book that covers essentially all aspects of lightning, including lightning physics, lightning protection and the interaction of lightning with a variety of objects and systems as well as with the environment. It is written in a style that will be accessible to the technical non-expert and is addressed to anyone interested in lightning and its effects. This will include physicists, engineers working in the power, communications, computer and aviation industries, meteorologists, atmospheric chemists, foresters, ecologists, physicians working in the area of electrical trauma and architects. This comprehensive reference volume contains over 300 illustrations, 70 tables containing quantitative information and a bibliography of more than 6000 references.

This book provides an in-depth analysis of tropical cyclones in the South Pacific, discussing both the characteristics and behaviors of tropical cyclones, and the impacts these storms have on island physical geography and landscape change. The second half of the book presents a whole field of important, new insight. A thorough examination of the links between climate and landscape are analyzed through detailed case studies based on 10 years of original research showing the importance of tropical cyclones for island physical environments, by triggering enormous responses in example river systems, slope processes, coastlines, and even island formation and/or destruction. A focus on the Pacific and the Pacific Islands cyclones is vital since a major area for research in climate change and climate extremes is located within this region. The South Pacific is one of the most important areas and factors of El Nino. It is the center of attention for climate change issues, such as ocean warming and sea level rise. As such, this book is an important and valuable addition to the existing literature on climate change.

Weather radar systems provide data necessary for the understanding of weather systems, improved forecasts (especially critical for severe weather), hydrological applications, flood warnings and also for climate research in which ground verification is needed for global precipitation measurements by satellites. This book offers an accessible overview of advanced methods, applications and modern research from the European perspective. An extensive introductory chapter summarizes the principles of weather radars and discusses the potential of modern radar systems, including Doppler and polarisation techniques, data processing, and error-correction methods. Addressing both specialist researchers and nonspecialists from related areas, this book will also be useful for graduate students planning to specialize in this field.

A lightning strike to an unprotected object or system can be disastrous - in the United States lightning is responsible for over 30% of all electric power failures, causes billions of dollars worth of property damage, and an average of 85 fatalities a year. This accessible text describes all aspects of lightning protection and includes many illustrative drawings and photographs. The author examines the physical behavior of lightning, various types of lightning damage, the role of lightning detection and warning in effective protection, as well as options for deflecting or eliminating lightning. U.S. and international lightning protection standards are discussed. This book will be essential reading for everyone involved in the business of lightning protection, including meteorologists, atmospheric scientists, architects, engineers, and fire-safety experts. Insurance practitioners and physicians will find this reference of significant value.

An Introduction to High Impact Meteorology

This monograph offers a wide array of contemporary information on weather radar polarimetry and its applications. The book tightly connects the microphysical processes responsible for the development and evolution of the clouds bulk physical properties to the polarimetric variables, and contains the procedures on how to simulate realistic polarimetric variables. With up-to-date polarimetric methodologies and applications, the book will appeal to practicing radar meteorologists, hydrologists, microphysicists, and modelers who are interested in the bulk properties of hydrometeors and quantification of these with the goals to improve precipitation measurements, understanding of precipitation processes, or model forecasts.

Thefirst book that addresses the issues of global change from a true Earth systemsperspective,this new book offers a solid emphasis on lessons from Earthhistory that may guide decision-making in the future. Offersan innovative systems theory approach that allows for a new way of organizinginformation from a variety of disciplines as well as of predicting responses ofsystems to disturbance. Utilizes an Earth history perspective that links theEarth sciences closely with modern global change problems. Includes two boxedfeatures throughout the book that address topical issues related to thematerial in the text, of high appeal and that discuss advanced, especiallyquantitative, treatments. Features several computer modules available on theWorld Wide Web and free when packaged with the book. For Earthscientists who would like a formal introduction to Earth Systems Science.