Analyzing atmospheric behavior

Thirty five years or so ago, meteorologists practiced a descriptive science; they looked at weather maps and moved “highs” and “lows” around without understanding much of what they were doing. But now, meteorology having become a physical science, a discussion of the applications of physics to atmospheric problems includes most of meteorology. I shall not attempt here to present a complete catalog of the applications of physics to atmospheric studies. I shall limit myself to indicating the uses of hydrodynamics and thermodynamics, both needed in such basic problems as weather forecasting and explaining the general circulation. Some kinds of problems have been satisfactorily solved, and others need much additional work.