Meterology The study of atmospheric phenomena Chapter 12 Meterology The study of atmospheric phenomena
Weather vs. Climate Weather: the current state of the atmosphere Climate: long-term variations in weather for a particular area
Meteorology is the study of weather on the surface as well as in the atmosphere.
Wind Systems cause weather A wind system is caused by air flowing from areas of HIGH pressure to areas of LOW pressure. Wind systems are named based on the direction they come from. Ex: A northeast wind comes from the NORTHEAST- and flows toward the SOUTHWEST.
What are the wind systems of Earth
What is the Jet Stream The Jet stream is a high altitude, narrow westerly wind, band that occurs above large temperature contrasts and can flow as fast as 185 km/h
Surface data Thermometers measure temperature. Different tools are used to measure different data on the surface: Thermometers measure temperature. Barometers measure air pressure. Anemometers measure wind speed. Hygrometers measure relative humidity.
How is weather measured in the Atmosphere? A radiosonde is a small package of sensors used in weather balloons to measure pressure, altitude, wind speed, and humidity. Data is transmitted back to ground stations by radio signals and plotted on a chart. These charts are used in forecasting and predicting changes in surface weather.
How does Doppler Radar work
How we read weather
Air masses A large body of air that takes on the characteristics of the area over which it forms.
Air Masses Air masses are classified according to their source regions. The main types of air masses, are warm and dry continental tropical, warm and humid maritime topical, cold and dry continental polar, cold and humid maritime polar, and arctic. All five main types of air masses can be found in North America.
What is a front? A front is a boundary between two different air masses, resulting in stormy weather. A front usually is a line of separation between warm and cold air masses.
How do you identify a front on a surface weather map or by your own weather observations? Look for: Sharp temperature changes over a relatively short distance, change in moisture content, rapid shifts in wind direction, pressure changes, clouds and precipitation patterns.
What is a cold front? A cold front is a boundary between two air masses, one cold and the other warm, moving so that the colder air replaces the warmer air.
What is a warm front? A warm front is a boundary between two air masses, one cool and the other warm, moving so that the warmer air replaces the cooler air.
What is a stationary front What is a stationary front? A stationary front is a boundary between two air masses that more or less doesn’t move,
What is a occluded front What is a occluded front? An occluded front is a combination of two fronts that form when a cold front catches up and overtakes a warm front.
What is a trough? A trough on a weather map is an elongated area of relatively low pressure. Troughs bring cloudy and rainy weather.
Not this
isobars Connect areas of equal pressure
What do close together isobars mean? Isobars are kind of like contour lines on a map. If they are closer together the gradient is “steeper.” The winds are blowing from the high to the low pressurehigh winds when lines are close together.
Where is it windy?
Isobars during a hurricane
Air pressure in a hurricane eye can be as low as 899 millibars (26 Air pressure in a hurricane eye can be as low as 899 millibars (26.5 inches Hg)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqpFU5SRPgY