Large scale weather
Characterisation
| Definition | The weather conditions over a larger area which does not change substantially for several days. |
| Definition period | mostly 3 days. |
| Weather change | is possible, but the character of the respective regional weather is kept. |
| Typical successive LSW | define substantially the regional climate; are of great importance for weather forecasting. |
| Types | zonal, mixed and meridional circulation forms. |
Basics
Large scale weather (LSW) patterns are weather developments over a large area, which do not change significantly over several days. According to Baur , a large scale weather pattern is a certain atmospheric state, which remains substantially similar in it's characteristic streaming patterns over several days. Generally, a definition period of 3 days is used.
The weather itself can change during a large scale weather pattern, but the character of the respective regional weather remains the same. The regional differentiation and the typical sequence of large scale weather patterns define the climate of a region. The large scale weather pattern is also of importance for predicting the development of the weather and the atmospheric conditions for a longer period.
The weather itself can change during a large scale weather pattern, but the character of the respective regional weather remains the same. The regional differentiation and the typical sequence of large scale weather patterns define the climate of a region. The large scale weather pattern is also of importance for predicting the development of the weather and the atmospheric conditions for a longer period.
European maps
On the four maps below, you can follow the current large-scale weather conditions for the next 3 days. The present large weather situation depends - naturally - on the weather. It can change therefore also within the coming days.
To see the up-to-date maps in full size, click on the respective picture.
To see the up-to-date maps in full size, click on the respective picture.
Risk of precipitation (≥1.0 mm)The risk of precipitation is the probability that more than ≥ 1.0 mm precipitation will occur. | Risk of precipitation (≥0.1 mm)The risk of precipitation is the probability that more than ≥ 0.1 mm precipitation will occur. |
Thickness & barometic pressureThickness is the height of the air layer until a constant pressure is reached. The higher this layer is, the more the air in the layer has expanded. | Wind 700hPa
Wind 700hPa is the prevailing wind blowing in an altitude where air pressure is 700hPa. This altitude usually occurs at around 3 Km above sea level. |

moreMaps
Other maps show the weather for Central Europa, North- and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia or for the world.