1. Introduction to Meteorology “The Study of our Weather”

2. Weather is the current state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place.

3. The atmosphere is made of layers of gases that surround the Earth
The gases are primarily:
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Argon

4. Bottom of Page 1 in ESRT
Other includes argon (.91%), carbon dioxide, etc.
Water vapor (1-4%) not included

6. Top of Page 14 in ESRT

7. The weather is determined by a combination of many changing factors in the troposphere

8. Measured with a thermometer in 0C, 0F, and 0K
Temperature - is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the gases in the air.
Air molecules are moving
Measured with a thermometer in 0C, 0F, and 0K

9. Temperature conversions
Simply read across the lines.
For example room temp. =
680 F
200 C
2930 K
Please note: 0F goes by 2’s, 0C and 0K go by 1’s.

10. Air Pressure – the measure of the weight of air. = density of air
About 14.7 lbs/in2
Measured with a barometer in:
in. of Hg,
mb (millibars)
atmospheres

11. Simply read across the lines.
Pressure conversions
Simply read across the lines.
For example one atm. =
mb &
29.92 in of Hg
Please note: mb goes by 1’s, and in of Hg go by .01’s.

12. Measured with sling psychrometers and hygrometers in:
Dew Point and Relative Humidity – measure the amount of moisture in the air.
Measured with sling psychrometers and hygrometers in:
Degrees
Percent %

13. Caused by a difference in air pressure between two locations
Wind – the horizontal movement of air
Caused by a difference in air pressure between two locations

14. Measured with a wind vane and anemometer in MPH and knots

15. Precipitation – liquid or solid water falling from clouds
Rain
Snow
Sleet
Hail
Freezing rain
Measured with a rain gauge in inches

16. Clouds – tiny suspended water droplets or ice crystals.
Cloud cover measured as a % using your vision

17. Weather maps – are used to represent weather variables

19. Station models – abbreviations of weather variables plotted on maps pg
Station models – abbreviations of weather variables plotted on maps pg. 13 in ESRT

20. Important highlights Temp always in 0F but.. NO WRITTEN UNITS
Pressure abbreviated by omitting decimal and “9” or “10”.
So = 893
Wind is named after where it comes from.