answersLogoWhite

0

The short answer:
  1. We lack the ability to continuously observe the atmosphere and assimilate these data.
  2. Our ability to analyze these data are severely limited by inadequate computing speed and storage.
  3. We lack a complete understanding of the physical processes operating in the atmosphere and elsewhere which contribute to what we know as our weather.
More technically...There are somewhere around 5 billion cubic kilometers of air in the Troposphere, and to predict the weather accurately we need to know exactly what's going on in every space at every second. Parts of the stratosphere are important, as are the nuances in intensity and type of radiation from the sun. The condition of the surface of Earth is extremely important, particularly in terms of soil moisture, vegetation, and especially water temperatures going down quite a bit in depth.

Obviously, it's impossible to constantly know the exact conditions of all of this. Because we do not, we are already starting with error in our forecast. Due to the chaotic nature of the atmosphere, these errors rapidly accumulate as we go out in time. These processes are stochastic, that is, the next iteration depends upon the previous condition, so alter that condition and you quickly unravel out of control.

Furthermore, we rely on sophisticated computer models as tools to help predict weather, inputting all the observations that we do have and running these through a parameterized (simplified) physical model of the way the atmosphere works. These models are governed by everything we know in fluid dynamics and mechanics, radiative transfer, etc., to output a specific scenario for the state of the atmosphere at a given time. Obviously, we are constrained by our computing power in our ability to represent the system realistically. For example, the grid on which these are run (which means there is one value for temperature, pressure etc. in each cell) can be quite coarse, and not resolve local differences in nature.

Finally, our understanding of certain processes occurring in the atmosphere and interactions among the systems is inadequate. If we do not completely understand why things occur, we cannot model and predict them accurately.

It's a wonder that we can predict the weather at all!

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science
Related Questions

What is a good sentences for the word unpredictable?

An example is "This weather is unpredictable".


What is irelands weather like?

Unpredictable.


What is a sentence for the word unpredictable?

The dog became unpredictable.Though weather forecasters study storms, hurricanes can be unpredictable.


Why is weather unpredictable?

People cant tell the future


What is the weather crossing Atlantic ocean in March?

Unpredictable


Why is British weather unpredictable?

British weather is influenced by a variety of factors, including its location between different climate zones. The Gulf Stream brings warm air, while polar air masses can bring cold temperatures, resulting in fluctuating weather patterns. This combination of factors leads to the unpredictable nature of British weather.


What is the annual precipitation of Detroit Michigan?

You can never tell the weather for a year, because the weather is unpredictable.


Is error possible in weather predictions or is weather really unpredictable?

I hate you so very much.


Where is the weather most unpredictable?

in North America, especially in the USA


What are the general weather conditions like in Dallas Texas?

The same as anywhere in Texas: The weather is unpredictable, it can be 92 Fahrenheit one day, and 62 the next. The same as anywhere in Texas: The weather is unpredictable, it can be 92 Fahrenheit one day, and 62 the next.


What are goods and bads of Washington?

It is a beautiful state but suffers from unpredictable weather patterns.


What type of weather will be found in Africa when it is El Nino?

Weather during El Ninos are unpredictable. There could be floods or droughts.