Forecasters Guide to Tropical Meteorology. Updated

AWS TR 240, by Maj Gary D. Atkinson, has served as the reference manual for USAF weather forecasting in the tropics since it was first published in 1971. Although it has endured for the past 20 years, HQ Air Weather Service recognized the need for an update and contracted with tropical forecasting authority Dr Colin S. Ramage to produce one. Although a great deal of new material has been added to reflect new techniques and new technology, it still covers the basic facts of climatology, circulation, and synoptic models, with emphasis on analysis and forecasting techniques for the tropics. Physical factors that control tropical circulations are discussed briefly. The climatologies of pressure, winds, temperature, humidity, clouds, rainfall, and disturbances are presented in a form specially suitable for forecasters. Analysis and forecasting of disturbances, cyclones, severe weather, terminal weather, etc., are treated at length. The uses of climatology and the interpretation and use of weather satellite imagery are emphasized. Numerous figures adapted from the literature or prepared by the author illustrate all the essential facts and principles discussed. A summary of the state of art and future outlook of tropical meteorology is included, along with an extensive bibliography. (MM) Supersedes AD-723 392.