Self-organizing maps: applications to synoptic climatology

Self organizing maps (SOMs) are used to locate archetypal points that describe the multi-dimensional distribution function of a gridded sea level pressure data set for the northeast United States. These points -nodes on the SOM -identify the primary features of the synoptic-scale circulation over the region. In effect, the nodes represent a non-linear distribution of overlapping, non-discreet, circulation types. The circulation patterns are readily visualized in a 2-dimensional array (the SOM) that places similar types adjacent to one another and very different types far apart in the SOM space. The SOM is used to describe synoptic circulation changes over time, and to relate the circulation to January station…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: 9521952
• UE
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• UO
  University of Pennsylvania
• PS
  Pennsylvania State University
• UO
  University of Cambridge
• WR
  Water Research Commission
• UO
  University of Cape Town