How are weathermen able to forecast the amount of precipitation for a storm?
For instance, the forecast for our area is for 1 inch of snow.
2007-01-31 05:17:47 · 11 answers · asked by mark my words 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
They use complex computer models that where build based on many years of observations of the weather. The computer models take an incredible number a factors into account and based on these data points forecasts an expected accumulation.
Due to the variability of many of these data points the longer range the forecast the less accurate it will be. Of course like all observation based programs there can and usually are some circumstances that either aren't accounted for or have never occurred is the same combination resulting is less than stellar performance.
But the tools and models are getting better all the time and in many locations several of the television stations use multiple computer models and based on their experience choose to believe one model over another.
2007-01-31 05:39:22 · answer #1 · answered by Brian K² 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty good, really, considering that weather is a chaotic system, so forecasting is not an exact science. Funny, though, how it usually seems to rain for the Boat Show at Crick, Northamptonshire, where it has been tipping down today.
2016-03-28 22:28:10 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mostly based on models of weather collected over 125 years. They compare what is coming with what has happened and then guess the future. They still get it wrong amazingly often.
2007-01-31 05:21:02 · answer #3 · answered by Mitch H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The have computer programs that calculate that for them, but it is never accurate that is why it's called a forecast.
2007-01-31 05:22:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they get some pictures from the satellites hovering above the earth..with that they can see where are the clouds ..n how dense they are..enabling them to forecast the weather
2007-01-31 05:21:16 · answer #5 · answered by » Ðëe®'§ Êÿ€ « 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All kinds of crazy machines, and an education on how to figure out what they are showing on the screens.
2007-01-31 05:22:27 · answer #6 · answered by Pancake 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Half the time they aren't right anyway, they pretty much look at the doppler and guess, sometimes they are right, others not so much♥
2007-01-31 05:22:53 · answer #7 · answered by ♥USMCwife♥ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They have a network of experts and radar (doppler) that help them to do their jobs.
2007-01-31 06:09:37 · answer #8 · answered by BigWashSr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
speed of storm and size of storm and rate of rain/snow = rough estimate of amount of rain/snow
2007-01-31 05:22:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They just make educated guesses, which are many times wrong
2007-01-31 05:20:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋