On Jan 20, 2:47*pm, I R A Darth Aggie wrote:
On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:35:13 -0800 (PST),
, in

wrote:
+ *Your average TV Weatherman is not generally a true meteorologist, has
+ *never launched a weather balloon with a radiosonde attached, and lacks
+ *the physics background to construct a pseudoadiabatic diagram from the
+ *resulting information gained, or to interpret it.

That's a really broad brush you're paiting with there, partner.

A large number of the TV crowd actually hold a BS in meteorlogy or
atmospheric physics. Thus not only do they have the physics background
to construct a pseudoadiabatic diagram, but they can also suggest an
analysis, as well as tell you why a skew-t log p chart is perfered
over a Stuve diagram.

However, an equally large number of them will have *never* actually
launched a radiosonde. That's really "for" met-techs in the NWS or Air
Force, or aerographer's mates in the Navy.

Having done a couple of launches myself, that's unfortunate. It is a
nice hands-on, real world application what the students have been
shown in the classroom. And it is kind of fun, too.

--
Consulting Minister for Consultants, DNRC
I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow
isn't looking good, either.
I am BOFH. Resistance is futile. Your network will be assimilated.

It's clear that you know the subject to a technical level since you
know the terminology (and that is not intended as a put down in any
way), Still, for anyone pursuing a degree in physics with a specialty
in Meteorolgy, at least from any major university, they will have done
at least two balloon lauches ard interpreted the radiosonde results as
a lab requirement. These are the same students that a year or two
earlier would have been measuring the charge on an electron by
repeating the "Oil Drop" experiment (******* and boring experiment
that it is), every physics student has to perform it.

If you really want to know what is worse, take a Geology elective. In
that subject, the field trips can actually get you arrested. Then too,
all of the class and the prof were nearly arrested when I took that
course. OK, the point here is that you don't pull over and stop a bus
on the PA Turnpike, simply to explore an interesting geological
formation. We did! PA State Police were not pleased, even though we
were off the roadway.

For college student in liberal arts, try an elective in science,
particualy one that involves labs and field trips. Meteorolgy and
Geology are particularly fun choices, where you receive experiences
that you will remember for a lifetime. You too may even get
arrested. :-)

Harry C.