Synoptic Meteorology: Second Completely Revised Edition

Synoptic Meteorology: Second Completely Revised Edition. M. Kurz. 1998. 200 pp. Price unavailable. Paperbound. Deutscher Wetterdienst.

ISBN 3-88148-338-1.

This book is said to be a translation of a 1990 book (p. 2); however, the title page makes it clear that it is a completely revised edition published in 1998. The orientation of the book is explained in its introduction where the author indicates that the main job of the synoptic meteorologist is to monitor numerical weather prediction (NWP) model products so as to diagnose the physical state of the atmosphere. This enables the forecaster to be in a position to derive weather forecasts independently of the NWP methods in cases where they are obviously in error. The stated purpose of the book is to provide the understanding of the processes within weather systems that is needed to enable the forecaster to do this. The author claims that mesoscale systems are also within the scope of the subject, but the actual contents of the book are more in line with the conventional view of synoptic meteorology being related to large-scale (synoptic scale) weather systems.

The early chapters present the theoretical principles and basic equations that underpin the subject. These are followed by consideration of the structure of important synoptic-scale systems: there are chapters on air masses, frontal zones, jet streams (upper-level jets but not low-level jets), frontogenesis and frontolysis, the structure of cyclones and anticyclones in midlatitudes, and tropospheric waves. The last half of the book is mainly about development processes: the chapters are entitled "Kinematics of Large-Scale Structures," "Models of Cyclogenesis and Anticyclogenesis," "Quasigeostrophic Diagnostics," "Considerations of Development in a Baroclinic TwoLayer Model," "Supplementary Factors Concerning Cyclogenesis and Anticyclogenesis," and "Examples of Development." Sandwiched uncomfortably within these final chapters is a lone chapter on the dynamics of convective weather systems.

Kurz's experience and his familiarity with applications in weather forecasting show through in this book.

There are many asides providing insight into the practical significance of various structures and processes.

The approach is very traditional, and despite its recent revision, the book contains only one reference to literature post-1986. For example, although lip service is paid to recent potential vorticity thinking, it is clearly not the author's preferred paradigm: he is most at home when explaining things in terms of positive vorticity advection (PVA) and warm advection (WA).

The final chapter, giving examples of development (and stressing PVA and WA), uses results from a very low resolution model (grid spacing 256 km). This is consistent with the author's general tendency to underplay subsynoptic-scale weather systems and processes that are better diagnosed using high-resolution models and detailed analysis of imagery-based observations. Thus, for example, line convection, cloud heads, and processes such as frontal fracture receive little if any attention.

In translations such as this there are usually awkward sentences and some strange use of words, and this book is no exception. Even the diagrams suffer in the translation process, with a mixture of C and K standing for cold and L and T for low pressure. Generally, however, the meaning is not obscured. More aggravating is the lack of a proper index. What is referred to as an index is really a detailed table of contents.

The book is essentially a guide for forecasters. In this role, the book is useful provided it is supplemented by texts that give alternative perspectives, for example, a more strongly imagery-based approach. For the serious students of meteorology wishing to pursue the subject in depth, or for researchers, the book suffers from inadequate referencing. In keeping the number of references to a minimum, it does help the reader to probe more deeply. In particular, the lack of up-to-date references is a serious omission.-Keith A. Browning.

[Author Affiliation]

Keith A. Browning is a professor in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading.