Weather Bureau topics and personnel / United ... - Index of - NOAA

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6. In British Air Ministry terminology, visibility is always expressed in hundreds
of yarb up to 4000 yards (unlcss exact multiple of one mile). Where it is
desirable to use a verbal demription, the following International terms are ueed:
v=7 good visibility (objects visible at 6t miles).
V=8 very good visibility (objecte visible at 124 miles).
v=Q
excellent vieibility (objects visible at 31 miles).
The tam tcunlimited” in connection with visibility (and ceiling) is not used at
Air Ministry Meteorological Offices as it is in the United States.
When discussing weather with pilots not accustomed to U. S. termi-
nology, or when preparing U. 8. pilots for service in areas outside the
United States, it will be helpful if Weather Bureau personnel keep the
above distinctions clearly in mind.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AT FIELD STATIONS
I. REPOHT ON HEBEAlUJH ACPIVITIEs AT FIELD ETATION8
A summary of replies received in response to Circular Letter 37-44 is
being sent to all first-order stations. It is believed that there ere still
many worthwhile active research projects which should be reported as
a part of the program of micteorological research coordination being
carried on by the Central Office. Forms for reporting research activities
should be obtained from Regional Offices and forwarded to the Chief of
Bureau marked, Attention : Division of Special Scientific Services.
11. SIEBUJJ~ OF QUXsTIONNAlltE ON REtlEARUlI NEED8
The Central Ofice recently conducted a survey among Weather Bureau,
Army, Navy, Airline, and University meteorologists to determine what
fields of meteorological research would, in their opinion, bring useful
results in the shortest poesible time. The ten research topics most
stressed are listed below in the ordcr of thcir prefcrenco:
1. Descriptive studies of the physical processes of convergence, divergence, ver-
tical motion, and vorticity.
2. Rules and methods for using prognostic charttl in forecwting procodures.
3. Research leading to more adequate uppor wind obsorvations.
4. Studies loading to better nnd more Rtnndardiead ruuthods for using wuathor
cham and diagrams.
6. Research in evaluating the maps and charts used in forecasting, to eliminate
mrtteriai which does not contribute to the accuracy of the forecast.
8, Studies of factors controlling direction of movement of highs and lows.
7. &march leading to greater accuracy of humidity moasurernents, ospocirrllY
radiosondo humidity measuroments.
8. Studiw of orographic infiuencea and topography at terminale.
8. Preparation of climatic guides for forecasters.
10. Bules and methods for forecwting specific weather elements.
111. 1844 PLACEMENT ZXAMINATION
Final results of the 1944 Placement Examination are being tabulated
in the Central Office. The situation which wm analyzed by participants
wm the A. M. map of January 30, 1939 and tho solution used in grading
the analysis wae substantially that to be found in the I-Iistorical North-
ern Hemisphere Map for that date. Evidenoe of need for instruction8
in drawing prognostic charts ie shown by the results of tho oxamination,