Ilmatiet

Ilmatiet is the Finnish term for the scientific study of the atmosphere and weather, corresponding to the English field of meteorology. It covers the observation, analysis, theory, and numerical modeling of atmospheric processes, as well as related disciplines such as climatology and atmospheric chemistry. The aim is to understand how weather systems form and evolve and to forecast weather conditions while assessing climate variability and change.

Modern ilmatiet relies on a wide range of observations from weather stations, weather balloons (radiosondes), radar, satellites, and ships, as well as laboratory experiments and theoretical work. Numerical weather prediction models and data assimilation are central tools for producing forecasts, often supplemented by ensemble methods to quantify uncertainty.

Applications include weather forecasts and severe-weather warnings that support aviation, shipping, agriculture, energy management, emergency planning, and everyday decision-making. Climate research within ilmatiet studies long-term trends, extremes, and disturbance patterns in the atmosphere and their interactions with oceans and land surfaces.

The practice has evolved from early meteorology based on observations and simple synoptic methods to modern, computer-driven forecasting. The field is global, with national meteorological institutes and international networks coordinating observations, data sharing, and model development.

Notable institutions: In Finland, the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) provides weather, climate and space weather services. Internationally, ilmatiet operates within the framework of organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).