Synoptic map: what is it for and who makes it

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

A synoptic map is a geographic map containing the results of meteorological observations of a number of stations monitoring the weather, collected at a certain point in time and fixed by symbols and signs generally accepted among weather forecasters. Such maps are compiled by meteorological stations several times a day, and the systematization and analysis of this information are used to predict the weather.

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Depending on the specifics of the information collected, synoptic maps are surface, ring and high- altitude.

Surface synoptic map contains observations of weather stations with a frequency of 3 hours. Meteorological elements are applied to it around the location of the observation center using the international synoptic code KH-01.

A ring map is a type of synoptic map that shows meteorological data as a ring based on the values of stations located around a specific meteorological center. Such maps become the main source for short-term weather forecasts for a particular area. Data aboutobserved meteorological phenomena, pressure levels and frontal zones are indicated on the map with different colors.

Altitude, or aerological, maps systematize information about weather conditions at a certain height. They, in turn, are divided into maps of absolute (for a specific height) and relative (for two heights of a selected surface) topography.

What are meteorological elements?

Meteorological elements are called atmospheric characteristics recorded by meteorological and aerological instruments at weather stations and observatories. Such indicators, in addition to ambient temperature, water and soil, atmospheric pressure and air humidity, also include wind direction and speed, cloudiness, precipitation intensity, solar radiation, various weather phenomena.

How weather forecasting became necessary

The problem of forecasting the weather has always worried humanity. The peasants, in pursuit of a large harvest, sought to carry out agricultural work in the most favorable conditions for agricultural crops. Sailors and fishermen wanted to know how best to get around dangerous storm areas, and on which days you should not go to sea at all.

In the Russian Empire, the construction of a network of meteorological stations began in 1832. By 1849, there were already 54 of them in the world - the most among European countries. But to systematize and generalize the collected data into synoptic weather maps thesestations could not because of the lack of telegraph communication between them.

Europeans were especially keenly aware of the need for weather forecasting during the Crimean War (1853-1856), when on November 14, 1854, a terrible hurricane de alt a crushing blow to the Allied troops under the siege of Sevastopol. The elements carried more than 400 people into the sea, deprived them of the possibility of delivering food for the army and soldiers' salaries. The result was epidemics of scurvy and cholera in the allied forces.

Who started compiling synoptic maps and when?

The French government has commissioned astronomer Urbain Le Verrier to find out if it is possible to predict the weather in advance. Le Verrier did a great job collecting weather data for the days before and after the Crimean hurricane in 250 locations across Europe, marking this data on a geographical map. So he got the first synoptic map, showing that a cyclone could be predicted about a day in advance and prepare a fleet and an army for it.

In the UK, a keen interest in weather forecasting was shown in 1860 by Robert FitzRoy, a successful navigator who became the captain of the first English propeller-driven warship and set himself the goal of preventing ships from sinking during storms. Fitzroy and his assistants received daily data from 24 stations located both in England and abroad, generalized them, and a synoptic map was obtained. The term was coined by Fitzroy, based on the Greek "synopsis", which translates as "visible all at once."

Russiansynoptic charts

Modern technologies have greatly facilitated the collection and systematization of meteorological observations from all over the world. Today's synoptic map of Russia is compiled using computer technology. It allows you to perform once time-consuming calculations in seconds.

The synoptic map of the European part of Russia and the whole country is in the public domain on the official website of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring. Here you can see the surface analysis of the weather, conducted by the Department of Short-range Forecasts and Hazards of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center.

The synoptic map of the European part of Russia allows residents of this region to see not only forecasted precipitation and temperature, but also prepare for negative natural phenomena, find out the degree of fire danger in the nearest forests and other useful information.