Mountain Meteorology: Fundamentals and Applications (Hardcover)

~ C. David Whiteman (Author) "Climate differs from one location to another because of differences in latitude, the angular distance north or south from the equator..." (more)
Key Phrases: morning transition period, slope wind system, mountain wind systems, United States, Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Whiteman has grasped an opportunity to compile a broad text covering all aspects of mountain meteorology in a general way, and three selected aspects in specific ways. His efforts are to be applauded and enjoyed. This book represents a significant advance over available books on the topic, and will be warmly welcomed by its intended audience." -- Prof Douw Steyn, University of British Columbia, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
"In this book, the author and his fellow contributors have done a very credible job explaining many of the unique phenomena associated with the mountain environment. Both the clear explanations and an overall manner that makes reading this book a very agreeable learning experience are credits to the author and his editor. This is indeed a book that someone interested in mountain weather would find very useful and informative. Clearly written, well organized, and appropriately illustrated, it is well worth the read."--Kenneth Rancourt, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
"C. David Whiteman ... has used his expertise to help not just hikers but anyone understand and, in some cases, forecast weather. It's available in his book ... 'I find that when I hike, I get more enjoyment if I can start to recognize things like the wildflowers,' Whiteman said. 'There's never been anyone who has done that for mountain weather, and I thought it would be nice to have the people who read the book be able to recognize the weather features around them and help them predict.' At 355 pages, this is no guidebook to toss in your backpack. Rather, it's a textbook that sent me back to school and those days of ... yellow highlighter pens. But don't let the size of this hardcover intimidate you because Whiteman makes weather, especially those mesmerizing graphics they flash on the Weather Channel, easier to comprehend. ... [A] book for hikers, campers, farmers, pilots, firefighters and anyone who watches TV to see what the weather forecast is for tomorrow."--Tri-City Herald

Product Description

Mountain Meteorology: Fundamentals and Applications offers first an introduction to the basic principles and concepts of mountain meteorology, then goes on to discuss their application in natural resources management. It includes over two hundred, beautiful, full-color photographs, figures, and diagrams, as well as observable indicators of atmospheric processes--such as winds, temperature, and clouds--to facilitate the recognition of weather systems and events for a variety of readers. It is ideal for those who spend time in or near mountains and whose daily activities are affected by weather. As a comprehensive work filled with diverse examples and colorful illustrations, it is essential for professionals, scholars, and students of meteorology.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 355 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st edition (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195132718
• ISBN-13: 978-0195132717
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #332,112 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Mountain Meteorology, December 4, 2000

By	BRUCE A EGAN (BEVERLY, MA United States) - See all my reviews

I am a professional Certified Consulting Meteorologist and I found this book exceptionally well written and informative. It covers a number of subtopics of interest to people who live, work or play in mountainous regions and who are interested in better understanding the unique meteorological phenomena observed in these areas. It is non mathematical but very descriptive and well illustrated with diagrams and photographs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Excellent, Updated View of Meteorology, July 2, 2002

By	D. B. Johnson (Mission Viejo, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is really much more than simply a discussion of mountain weather. This book introduces the layperson and professional alike to the complex interaction between terrain and the atmosphere, both on the global and regional scale. In a clean well written manner, with lots of informative graphics, Whiteman goes beyond many of the simplistic coffeetable books, but never leaves understanding and clarity behind.

This book goes a long way to introduce the public to a New Meteorology - one in which airflow is understood not to behave like water, but a new realization that even a simple breeze around a hill can exhibit complex eddys, counterflows, and dynamic reactions to the surface.

This work demonstrates the value of a Meteorology that combines a new geophysical understanding with real world applications in firefighting, pest control, environmental preservation, land management, and I dare say, field geology.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful Reference, May 16, 2002

By A Customer

This book is well written. It is a useful reference for those who forecast for mountainous locations. The book is organized in small, discrete sections without lots of unneeded derivations. Lots of useful graphics and illustrations make this one of the most used books on my shelf. It is also quite useful for teaching others how weather is modified by terrain.