How do computers gather data on, predict and analyse weather patterns? Here, we will look into it.
It begins in 1922 when physicist and mathematician Lewis Fry Richardson, was in an amphitheatre with other mathematicians and scientists. Using maps, they applied fluid motion equations to different parts of the atmosphere; this data was then passed on to the next region.
In 1965, the UK Met Office used a computer to produce its first operational weather report. Given the advancements in technology and computing, meteorology has of course made significant strides as well.
The data is collected from weather stations, satellites, buoys and other equipment. This vast amount of data is transmitted in real time to central processing centres.
A climate model divides the Earth into grid cells. After checking quality of data, super computers apply and solve a range of equations and calculations for thermodynamics, air movement, moisture changes etc. Equations such as Clausius-Clapeyron and Navier-Stokes are used.
Ensemble forecasting is then used, this entails running several simulations where the initial conditions vary slightly with each simulation.