This new, comprehensive textbook for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students of meteorology presents for the first time information that is now considered essential in modern weather forecasting. Based on a successful series of courses taught by the author at the University of Oklahoma, the text carefully examines the foundations of synoptic meteorology, from the analysis of scalar fields to atmospheric kinematics, dynamics, and thermodynamics. Newer topics such as Q-vectors, and modern observing systems such as Doppler radar are discussed, and several detailed figures and many helpful problems are included. This timely work emphasizes both physical understanding and mathematical analysis, and clearly explains observations in light of current theory. It will be a valuable reference for weather forecasters and researchers as well as students.