A brief review is made of the problems associated with the objective analysis of high level data using the Cressman method. In particular, consideration is given to limitations in the method associated with the treatment of wind data. In an attempt to minimise this problem, stream function analysis methods based on the Helmholtz theorem are applied to the objective analysis of 300 mb wind and geopotential data over the Australian region. Compared with the Cressman correction method, improved results are indicated.
DJ GAUNTLETT (Fri,) studied this question.