Synoptic Scale Meteorology

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The synoptic scale in meteorology (also known as large scale or cyclonic scale) is a horizontal length scale of the order of 1000 kilometres (about 620 miles) or more. This corresponds to a horizontal scale typical of mid-latitude depressions. Most high and low pressure areas seen on weather maps such as surface weather analyses are synoptic-scale systems, driven by the location of Rossby waves in their respective hemisphere. Low pressure areas form on the leading edge of a trough within the rossby wave pattern, while surface highs form on the back edge of the trough. The word synoptic is derived from the Greek word sunoptikos meaning seen together.