This thesis is a contribution to the subjects of midlatitude atmospheric dynamics and targeting observations for the improvement of weather forecasts. For the first time the full spectrum of singular vectors of the Eady model are considered. The importance and implications of the unshielding and modal unmasking mechanisms to the computed singular vectors are discussed. The computed singular vectors are used to analyse the vertical structure of the singular vector targeting function commonly used in observation targeting, in a vertical cross-section. Through comparison of this vertical cross-section to the dynamics of singular vectors, inferences about the scale and qualitative behaviour of the perturbations to which particular regions are 'sensitive' are made.