The Synoptic-Scale Subprogram

The Synoptic-Scale Subprogram encompasses a broad range of scientific problems and serves in a supporting role for most of the special studies of GATE. It is unique among the live subprograms in its emphasis on data from a wide area of the tropics consisting of both land and ocean, and therefore is closely related to the coming First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE). However it can only fully be understood within the context of the GATE Central Program and the other four GATE subprograms. The Central Program and the relationships between it and the subprograms are described in the section “General Description and Central Program” above in the present paper; therefore this section on the Synoptic-Scale Subprogram must be read in the light of what is stated in that section. Greater detail can be found ‘in GATE Report No. 6, “The Synoptic-Scale Subprogram for GATE” (Houghton and Parker, 1974).