Abstract
The author derives a basic differential expression, designated by G, having the form of a vector point function over the earth’s surface and dependent only upon surface data. Since G is designed to be directly proportional to the horizontal pressure gradient force at the surface, it is the parameter which governs the surface geostrophic wind vector V gs .
A rational method of reduction of pressure to sea level is developed, free from what is inherent in the conventional methods of reduction, namely, the arbitrarily defined “mean virtual temperature of the fictitious air column,” T mv . This is customarily taken as some function of the surface temperature and the height of the station above sea level. The derived, rational method of reduction given in this paper yields P0=P s eMHsB, where P0 is the pressure reduced to sea level, P s the station pressure, M a well-known physical constant, (g0/R), H s the geopotential height of the station above sea level, and B a continuous function of the coordinates of the station, having the dimensions of the reciprocal of absolute temperature. A technique based on the method of least squares is indicated for the determination of the parameters involved in B as would be required at World Weather Analysis Centers for the various stations under consideration, e.g., covering a full continent. It is shown that one can calculate values of G accurately for points on the earth’s surface in terms of the horizontal gradient of P0 and some other precisely specified auxiliary quantities. The effect of the presence of parameter B in P0 and the auxiliary quantities is eliminated in the formula for G; hence, G will be independent of B.
Some applications of G and other pressure data are indicated.
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Harrison, L.P. (1970). Reduction of Surface Pressure to Functions Useful in Analysis And Forecasting. In: Teweles, S., Giraytys, J. (eds) Meteorological Observations and Instrumentation. Meteorological Monographs, vol 11. American Meteorological Society, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-935704-35-5_17
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