Talk:Meteorology/Archive 1

message: Aside from the text on wind mapping, there is nothing in here.
:No, this article defines meteorology.  See Weather forecasting. Hard Raspy Sci 04:01, 31 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Shouldn't this article contain information on '''how''' meteologists do what they do? 

message: This article needs a top to bottom overhaul, but I am not able to undertake this endeavor at the moment. For those just waiting for a good source to start off with, the University of Illinois has an excellent online guide to Meteorology: ww2010.amtos.uiuc.edu. It has everything you need to get started on rewriting the sections on current and future forecasting methods.
(also... to the previous poster: be sure to sign your comments... otherwise we can't tell who you are or when you wrote that.)--demonburrito 16:21, 10 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Whew 

message: Without objection: subsection "Possibilities for future improvements" will be removed.--demonburrito 06:31, 11 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  major removal 

message: I am completely rewriting the 'history' section. This is not just because I didn't like it very much, but because it appears to be entirely plagiarized.--demonburrito 09:26, 11 August 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: oops...nevermind about the plagiarism. It realized it was just a site not using GNU license properly. I still stand by liking the timeline better (it is now more complete than timeline of meteorology).--demonburrito 10:30, 11 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  more major editing 

message: consider: 
Specific: Large scale wind mapping
The direction, strength, and variability of winds over various parts of the earth have been of great interest for a long time. The first large-scale wind mapping efforts were done to aid sailors who depended on winds to power their ships. In the last four decades a considerable amount of work has been done to map winds which might be used to generate power.
It is difficult to map the wind because it is a chaotic system. Weather forecasting is extremely difficult to do accurately for more than a few days. However, statistical methods can be used to predict general expectations of wind. Resolution can be low, e.g. maps of an entire continent; or high, where a specific site is assesed. High resolution maps are used for example to asses the viability of a site for wind turbines.
The inputs to the mapping process are: measured wind data and topography, and possibly other meteorological data which might relate to seasonal variation, pressure, and humidity. Humidity and temperature affect the density of the air, and thus the power produced from a given wind speed. Proximity of the sea has diurnal and seasonal effects on wind patterns. The 'WAsP' model uses a simple algorithm to predict wind over simple topography. It does not solve the Navier-Stokes equations which, in principle, give the correct answers to how the speed and direction of wind changes as it flows over 'complex' terrain.
A typical process for a large-scale wind map would take the wind data, and separate it into groups based on direction and speed. For each group, the wind is simulated using computer-based models, and the result is recorded. The results for each group are then averaged according to the frequency of that speed and direction 'bucket', giving the average wind over an area. This is only indicative, and before a wind farm is constructed, detailed local measurements are essential.
For small areas, the Navier-Stokes equations can be solved with some success, atechnique employed more often as computer power grows to match the task. With this method, the volume of air around the site of interest is cut into discrete chunks. Each is considered independently, like a pixel of a computer display. Each chunk interacts with its neighbours according to their pressure (although this can be neglected), and wind speeds. The smaller the chunk sizes, the closer the result is to reality, although large divergence is not uncommon. These models are extremely computationally expensive to run.
'Simple' terrain can be modelled using simple mass balance: if there is a hill in the way, the wind is accelerated. This is the Bernoulli Effect, and the core of the WAsP model.
Wind is powered by a temperature differential. It is slowed by obstructions and is generally stronger at high altitudes. Plains have high winds because they have few obstructions. Mountain passes have high winds mostly because they funnel high-altitude winds. Some passes have winds powered by a temperature differential between the sides of the ridges. Coastal areas have high winds because water has few obstructions and because of the temperature difference between the land and the sea. Off-shore also generally has high winds for the same reasons.
I think this is all fine work, but I also think that this is too specific to be included in the general meteorology article. I'm quoting it in entirety to preserve it on the talk page. --demonburrito 03:56, 12 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Trimming 

message: I have linked the previous red-link thermoscope to Galileo thermometer. Am am pretty sure that is what is what is meant by thermoscope. While the name does sound reasonable for an early thermometer, I have not heard the word before. Gaius Cornelius 07:31, 1 October 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Thermoscope