Reading University Meteorology
Department
Field Trip, Dorset, 23rd-26th March 2002.
Amongst other activities, the field trip involved taking several
met readings every half hour for the 4 days. Here, I am (Bren) taking wind
speed measurements using an anemometer, at Dancing Ledge, near Swanage.
The
weather conditions for the weekend were pretty boring, but good in that it
stayed dry. A dying warm front hung around for the 4 days, and here the leading
edge of this is denoted by the high sloping cirrus cloud.
At Dancing Ledge, the sea was pretty rough, although for one
five minute period, all hell let loose. Here, one of the many waves is seen
crashing some 20 metres into the air.
A fellow meteorology student, Jodie, takes an action shot of
the incoming surge of waves. Their size is deceptive, as there is a lower
beach area in the distance intercepting the waves.
As
if one recording wasn't enough, Laura takes readings of the current wind speed
on the south coast. This image is being named "Laura, the Statue of Liberty"!
:-). In the background is Mark, measuring the humididy
using a "whirligig" device!
A weather balloon, or radiosonde, is launched near Swanage.
The balloon reached an altitude pressure of 200mb before losing signal, and
sent back data to the recording equipment.
Bren
manning the radiosonde recording equipment. A cycle of temperature, wind speed
and direction, relative humidity and pressure is beamed back and these need
to be recorded to produce a vertical structure.
More
waves battering the Dorset coastline, despite the deceptively sunny, calm
conditions.
Using
Laura's hand as a block, a 22 degree halo is just visible on this image above
the sun. This was caused by the high cirrus sheet associated with the resident
warm front.
Well,
us meteorologists are human after all! Laura gets in a round of drinks to
celebrate a good day's work!