The diagram illustrates the process used by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to collect and broadcast up-to-the-minute weather information.
Overall, the process involves four main stages: gathering incoming data from various sources, analyzing and forecasting the information, preparing it for broadcast, and finally, disseminating it through multiple media outlets.
The process begins with the collection of weather data from three primary sources: satellites, radar, and drifting buoys. Each source provides unique data that is essential for accurate forecasting. Satellite data is processed into satellite photos, which visually represent weather patterns from space. Radar data, on the other hand, is displayed on a radar screen, showing detailed information about precipitation and atmospheric movement. Information from drifting buoys, collected from the ocean, is transformed into synoptic charts that provide additional data about marine weather conditions.
In the third stage, the processed information is prepared for broadcast using computers. Finally, the Bureau of Meteorology shares the weather forecast with the public through TV newsreaders, radio broadcasts, and recorded telephone announcements, ensuring timely and reliable information is available to everyone.