PREFACE 



In the training of weather officers for the armed services, it has become of 

 increasing importance to give instruction in the characteristic weather conditions 

 of many sections of the world because of the global scope of the present conflict. 

 Although climatological and synoptic data are available for much of the world, this 

 information is scattered and is not available in the form required for instructional 

 purposes. At a conference on the training of weather officers held in Washington 

 in February 1942 and attended by representatives of the institutions giving the 

 training, the armed services and the Weather Bureau, this problem was recognized 

 and discussed. At this conference the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

 agreed to prepare the present report on the North Atlantic region. Although 

 written primarily for instructional purposes, it is hoped that it may also be of some 

 value to meteorologists who are forecasting for this region. 



As indicated by the title, the report consists of two sections, one on the 

 climatology of the region and one in which typical synoptic situations are illustrated 

 and discussed. Insofar as possible the climatological data have been presented in 

 the form of maps. An effort has been made to integrate the synoptic and climatolog- 

 ical discussions wherever possible, and this has been facilitated, perhaps, by the 

 fact that the climatological section has been prepared by a synoptic meteorologist. 



Although the major burden of preparing this report has fallen on Professor 

 H. C. Willett and Professor J. M. Austin, several other members of our staff have 

 made valuable contributions. Special credit is due Miss Margaret \^^aitcomb, 

 Mrs. Karin Gleim and Miss Esther Hanchett for their work in assembling the 

 climatological data and preparing the many charts. Professor B. Haurwitz has 

 also assisted greatly in the selection and treatment of the climatological data. 

 Mr. E. A. Murphy is responsible for the excellent plotting on the synoptic charts 

 which makes the data readily legible in spite of the considerable reduction in the 

 reproduction process. We are also indebted to the staffs of the libraries of the Blue 

 Hill Meteorological Observatory and of the Institute of Geographical Exploration, 

 both of Harvard University, for their kind assistance in locating much of the data 

 utilized in this report. 



H. G. Houghton. 

 October 1942. 



