What do these Wx charts really mean/signify ?
 

Sorry to appear thick but could somebody please explain some of the folowing:

What does the 'divergence' indicate ?: http://grads.iges.org/pix/euro5.72hr.gif

What do these charts indicate ? : http://grads.iges.org/pix/euro1.48hr.gif

and

http://grads.iges.org/pix/euro4.24hr.gif

I've a fair idea on some/most of them, but I'd really like to know a lot more about these - laymans terms please.

Ah well, thanks in advance folks..........

Nb. the Home page for the all the above is at: http://grads.iges.org/pix/euro.fcst.html

The charts you have found are not of much relevance to day-to-day flight operations, so don't worry too much about their alien appearance.

For answers to your questions, get hold of 'Handbook of Aviation Meteorology' HMSO ISBN 0-11-400365-3 which will explain it all in much greater detail than there is time for here. It is a superb book covering the entire ATPL met syllabus and much more besides.

As pilots, we probably think we know quite a lot about met. However, if you should happen to meet a climatologist you will find that he or she will not even use the same terms as we do for describing very basic features of the world of weather - how often have you looked at the wavelength of a jet system, for example?