An alternative sea level pressure reduction and a statistical comparison of geostrophic wind estimates with observed surface winds

Abstract

This method (MAPS SLP-Mesoscale Analysis and Prediction System sea level pressure) uses the 700 hPa temperature to estimate an "effective' surface temperature from which the temperature of the hypothetical layer beneath the ground is estimated. The MAPS SLP reduction was compared with the standard reduction and altimeter setting reduction in statistical comparison of geostrophic wind estimates with observed winds and in a case study. The results showed that the MAPS SLP reduction performed better than the standard reduction in the western United States, but not in other regions with generally low elevation. In general, the correlation between sea level geostrophic winds and observed winds was found to be dependent on the Froude number. -from Authors