RAOB: User Manual
Features
The User Manual contains over 153 pages of program examples and technical information printed on standard 8.5" x 11" paper bound in a 3-ring binder. User Manual contents go beyond RAOB’s Help Files with detailed information on program indices, data parameter explanations, screen-shots of key program displays, and useful program applications. Data processing algorithms and severe-weather category/threshold data are also presented in detail.
The RAOB User Manual is a complete how-to guide on the program's numerous capabilities. Except for the common meteorological & atmospheric equations, the theory and concepts behind all program functions are described, including a complete listing of all source documents used to create the RAOB program.
The 3-ring binder allows users to easily insert page changes or to add local materials as needed. Below is an example from the RAOB User Manual.
SWEAT Index
SWEAT was specifically created to help predict severe thunderstorms and tornadic activity (AWS/TR 200)
Caution: SWEAT should not be used to predict ordinary thunderstorms.
SWEAT = 12 * Td850 + 20 * (TT-49) + 2 * F850 + F500 + 125 * (S+.2)
- where: Td850 is set to zero if value is negative
- (TT-49) is set to zero if value is negative, where TT = Total Totals
- F850 is speed of 850 mb wind in knots
- F500 is speed of 500 mb wind in knots
- S is the Sine of (500 mb - 850 mb wind directions)
- F500 is speed of 500 mb wind in knots
- and: 125 * (S+.2) is set to zero if any of the following are not met:
- 850 mb wind must be in the 130° through 250° range
- 500 mb wind must be in the 210° through 310° range
- 500 mb - 850 mb wind direction must be positive
- 500 mb and 850 mb wind speeds are at least 15 knots
- 500 mb wind must be in the 210° through 310° range
| SWEAT | Thunderstorm Potential |
|---|---|
| < 300 | Weak |
| 300 to 399 | Moderate |
| 400 to 599 | Strong |
| > 600 | High |