Weather Prediction by Numerical Process / Edition 2

by Lewis Fry Richardson, Peter Lynch

Overview

The idea of forecasting the weather by calculation was first dreamt of by Lewis Fry Richardson. The first edition of this book, published in 1922, set out a detailed algorithm for systematic numerical weather prediction. The method of computing atmospheric changes, which he mapped out in great detail in this book, is essentially the method used today. He was greatly ahead of his time because, before his ideas could bear fruit, advances in four critical areas were needed: better understanding of the dynamics of the atmosphere; stable computational algorithms to integrate the equations; regular observations of the free atmosphere; and powerful automatic computer equipment. Over the ensuing years, progress in numerical weather prediction has been dramatic. Weather prediction and climate modelling have now reached a high level of sophistication, and are witness to the influence of Richardson's ideas. This edition contains a new foreword by Peter Lynch that sets the original book in context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521680448
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/13/2007
Series:	Cambridge Mathematical Library
Edition description:	Revised Edition
Pages:	250
Sales rank:	845,273
Product dimensions:	6.89(w) x 9.72(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Peter Lynch is Met Éireann Professor of Meteorology at University College Dublin and Director of the UCD Meteorology and Climate Centre.

Table of Contents

Foreword; 1. Summary; 2. Introductory example; 3. The choice of cooordinate differences; 4. The fundamental equations; 5. Finding the vertical velocity; 6. Special treatment for the stratosphere; 7. The arrangement of points and instants; 8. Review of operations in sequence; 9. An example worked on computing forms; 10. Smoothing the initial data; 11. Some remaining problems; 12. Units and notation; Index of persons; Index of subsidiary subjects.

Editorial Reviews

'The book can be warmly recommended to people interested in the history of meteorology as well as to those who want to have a more or less complete record on numerical weather prediction techniques on their bookshelf.' Meteorologische Zeitschrift

From the Publisher