The diagram illustrates how the Australian Bureau of Meteorology collects and processes weather information in order to produce reliable forecasts.
Overall, weather information is collected from three main sources before being analysed and processed. The resulting forecast is then prepared for broadcasting through television, radio and recorded announcements.
At the first stage, weather information is collected from satellites, radar and drifting buoys. The satellite provides information in the form of a satellite photo, while the radar produces a radar screen. Meanwhile, drifting buoys provide information that is presented on a synoptic chart. These three types of information are then sent to the analysis and forecasting stage.
Next, the information is processed and analysed using a computer system. The resulting weather forecast is then prepared for broadcasting. In the final stage, the forecast is delivered to the public through several forms of media. It can be broadcast on television by a TV newsreader, transmitted through radio, or provided as a recorded announcement.