Meteorology

The atmosphere has been studied for a variety of purposes over the ages, including agricultural expertise, military defence and planning and the development of more accurate warnings for extreme weather systems such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Technological advancements, such as the development of scientific computing and an increase in the total number of daily meteorological observations taken across the globe, have enabled improved forecasts (or, at least, the meteorological community believes these forecasts to be improved) and a greater overall understanding of our atmosphere.

Types of Meteorology

Meteorologists have saved the lives of millions of people, playing a vital role in both the corporate and public sectors. Meteorology is the study of changing weather as it relates to the atmosphere.

Operational Forecasting

Weather changes can threaten life and property. Operational meteorologists forecast clouds, temperature, pressure, and precipitation. They foresee hurricanes, hail, flooding, severe winds, and tornadoes. Operational meteorology focuses on publicising weather conditions. Operational forecasting is important because dangerous occurrences, like tornadoes can strike quickly and require knowledge.

Aviation Weather

Aviation meteorology forecasts airline weather. Volcanic ash, high winds, and hail can damage or crash an aeroplane. Aviation experts predict turbulence. Pilots and aviation meteorologists work together to ensure a smooth trip.

Broadcast Meteorology

A broadcast meteorologist presents the weather on TV or radio. Meteorologists on the air during severe weather encourage viewers to keep informed and take cover. They also teach about fog and thunderstorms. Large cities with dense populations rely on daily visibility, rainfall and temperature forecasts from broadcast meteorologists.

Applied Research

Applied meteorology applies weather data and research to practical challenges. Applied research specialists usually have a master’s in meteorology. These meteorologists enhance and create new technology. Applied research includes current Doppler weather radar, automated surface observation systems, satellite systems and public alert warning systems.

Meteorology’s Subfields

Meteorology is an interdisciplinary science that draws on the knowledge, theory, and laws of numerous scientific disciplines. As a result, there are numerous subfields or specialised divisions of meteorology, each defined by the spatial scale of the phenomena they research and the various scientific disciplines they entail. All meteorological research is undertaken at one of the following spatial scales: micro, meso, synoptic or global.

Microscale meteorology focuses on problems with dimensions of 1 kilometre or less, including individual clouds and heat fluxes.

Mesoscale meteorology encompasses phenomena between the upper limit of the microscale and a few hundred kilometres. The study of mesoscale phenomena includes lake-effect snowstorms, severe thunderstorms, and mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs).

The synoptic scale consists of large-scale atmospheric concepts, on the order of a thousand kilometres or more, and contains many elements that appear on daily weather maps, such as high and low-pressure systems.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is an agency of the Government of India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences. It is the primary organisation in charge of meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology. IMD manages hundreds of observation stations across India and Antarctica from its headquarters in Delhi. Regional offices are located in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Guwahati.

IMD is also one of the World Meteorological Organisation’s six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres. It is responsible for forecasting tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean, encompassing the Malacca Straits, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf, as well as naming and disseminating warnings.

Progress in meteorology 

India’s government cradled meteorology in the mid-19th century. This has shaped its evolution, making public service its focus and attracting government patronage. Examining this link through the evolution of India Meteorological Department (IMD) cyclone warning systems, this research argues that historically such meteorological services have developed without appropriate attention to theoretical advancement, impeding the expansion of the particular science. Meteorology’s entanglement with the state has resulted in its serving state institutions rather than the community at large and generating a bureaucratic atmosphere with low research heritage during colonial and post-Independence periods. This organisation has ensured that the public cannot evaluate meteorological services, even though they are primarily public-funded.

Explain the evolution of India’s cyclone warning service and the link between science and the state. This link was formed when meteorology was in its infancy, therefore it’s easy to see how it affected the field. The study examines the historical backdrop of India’s storm warning service. b) how IMD’s cyclone warning service has grown over time, and c) what this connection with the state has meant for IMD and meteorology. The report highlights India’s cyclone warning programme, which helped bring meteorology and the state together. First, the paper describes the global backdrop during the 18th and 19th centuries, when meteorology shifted from theoretical to applied purposes. The second half examines the evolution of cyclone warning in India, including its conception and political-economic influences. The conclusion discusses IMD’s growth and development in relation to the state.

The significance of meteorology

Meteorology is essential due to the influence of atmospheric conditions on life.

First, the importance of weather forecasting in urban administration is crucial. To prevent calamities, cities are preparing for extreme weather events such as tornadoes and snowstorms.

Second, the importance of long-term weather forecasting to agriculture cannot be overstated. Hunger can be caused by a drought. Meteorology is essential for farmers because crops require water to grow.

Meteorology is also essential for both air and sea travel. Windy conditions affect aircraft and ships. Lightning can be hazardous for aircraft. Ships encounter difficulty due to ocean waves. In the event of inclement weather, airports cease operations and ships remain in harbours.

Conclusion

Meteorology is a discipline of study dealing with the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially for the purpose of weather forecasting. Chris Holloway, associate professor in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, explains, “Weather has an impact on everyone’s daily lives.”