Meteorology, Meteorology, Weather, ClimateWeather, Climate
So, what’s So, what’s meteorology?meteorology?
No, it’s not the study of objects No, it’s not the study of objects from space that strike Earth.from space that strike Earth.
MeteorologyMeteorology• The study of the atmosphere and the
phenomena usually referred to as weather.
• One of the Earth sciences– Sciences that seek to understand our planet– In the study of meteorology, these sciences
often overlap and include aspects of• Astronomy• Biology• Chemistry• Physics
Why is the study of the atmosphere Why is the study of the atmosphere called “meteorology”?called “meteorology”?
• The origin of the word "meteorology" dates back to ancient Greece.
• In 340 B.C., Aristotle, a philosopher of the day, wrote a treatise called "Meteorologica" about “meteors,” then defined as any object in the sky.
• These airborne items included clouds, snow, and rain--aspects of the atmosphere that fascinated him.
• Add “ology” for “ study of” and you get “meteorology.”
What is the difference between climate and weather?
ClimateClimate A composite of a region’s average conditions
ClimateClimate
• Applies to long-term changes • Measured in terms of:
– Temperature– Precipitation– Snow and ice cover– Winds
• Can refer to– The entire planet– Specific regions (continents or oceans)
What is Weather?What is Weather?
WeatherWeather
• Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place.
• Shorter fluctuations atmospheric conditions lasting– Hours– Days– Weeks
Typical Newspaper Weather Map
Synoptic Weather MapSynoptic Weather Map
Studying the Atmosphere –Studying the Atmosphere –The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method
• Hypothesis– An informal idea that has not been widely
tested by the scientific community– Most are discarded.
• Theory– When a hypothesis is capable of explaining a
wide array of observations.– Additional observations support the theory
• New techniques for data analysis• Devise models
Theories can be discardedTheories can be discarded
Ongoing work may disprove the predictions of a current theory
An Historical Example . . .An Historical Example . . .The Geocentric Model of the Solar SystemThe Geocentric Model of the Solar System
• Devised by Ptolemy (Claudius Ptolemaeus) in the second century AD
• Accepted until 1543
The Heliocentric Model replaced the Geocentric Model
Pluto is no longer considered a planet!
Pluto’s Been Demoted!Pluto’s Been Demoted!
• On August 24, 2006 the International Astronomical Union redefined the definition of a planet as:– “a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun– has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to
overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a nearly round shape,
– and has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.”
Pluto is now considered Pluto is now considered a “Dwarf Planet”a “Dwarf Planet”
• Pluto lost its status as a planet because it’s highly eccentric orbit crosses over the orbit of Neptune.– As such it hasn’t “cleared the
neighborhood around its orbit.
• A dwarf planet like Pluto is– Any other round object that
• Has not “cleared the neighborhood around its orbit• Is not a satellite
A A LawLaw or or UnifyingUnifying Theory Theory
• If a theory has survived the test of time– Years or decades
• It’s the closest approximation to “the truth” as possible.
• It’s impossible to prove a theory as being true.
• We can only prove it’s untrue.
A View of EarthA View of Earth
• Earth is a “water planet.”
• The most conspicuous features seen from space are– Oceans– Clouds
A closer view shows . . .A closer view shows . . .
• The three major parts of Earth’s physical environment – The solid Earth (land)– The water portion– Atmosphere
InterfacesInterfaces
• Our environment is highly integrated– It’s not dominated by
land, water, or air alone.
• It’s characterized by continuous interactions as– Air comes in contact
with rock– Rock comes in contact
with water– Water comes in contact
with air.
Earth’s Four SpheresEarth’s Four Spheres
• Earth is divided into four independent parts• Each loosely occupies a shell around Earth
– This why they’re called spheres
The GeosphereThe Geosphere
• The solid Earth• The largest sphere
– Extends from the surface to the center of the planet
• Three principle regions based on compositional differences– Crust– Mantle– Core
The AtmosphereThe Atmosphere• A very shallow layer of
gases• 99% is within 30 km (20
mi) of Earth’s surface• An integral part of our
planet– Provides the air we breath– Protects us from harmful
short-wave solar radiation• Energy exchanges
between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere and space produce weather.
The HydrosphereThe Hydrosphere
• The collective mass of water found on, under, and above Earth’s surface
• The hydrosphere includes . . .
OceansOceans
• Cover nearly 71% of Earth’s surface• Average depth is 3,800 meters (12,500 ft.)• Accounts for 97% of Earth’s water
StreamsStreams
LakesLakes
GlaciersGlaciers
Ground WaterGround Water
CloudsClouds
Volume ComparisonsVolume ComparisonsVolume of the
Entire HydrosphereVolume of the
Entire Atmosphere
The BiosphereThe Biosphere• Includes all life on Earth• Most is concentrated near
Earth’s surface
Distribution of Earth’s WaterDistribution of Earth’s Water
Earth System ScienceEarth System Science
• The four spheres can be studied separately
• However . . .– The parts are not isolated.– Each is related in some way to the others– A complex and interacting whole results that
is called• The Earth System
An Interdisciplinary Approach to An Interdisciplinary Approach to Studying EarthStudying Earth
• The way in which individual components of land, water, air, and life forms are connected must be understood.
• A system is– Any size group of interacting parts that form a
complex whole to serve a function– Most natural systems are driven by sources of
energy that move mater and/or energy from one place to another.
Open SystemsOpen Systems
• In most natural systems energy flows into and out of the system.
• Weather systems are open systems.– In storms the amount of water vapor available
changes, flow of air into and out changes, etc.
Course OutcomesCourse Outcomes
• Understand how various types of energy transfer affect the atmosphere and weather
Course OutcomesCourse Outcomes
• Understand weather variables – Temperature– Air pressure– Wind– Moisture
• In terms of– Causes– How they’re measured and recorded– Patterns associated with various types of weather– How they’re used in weather prediction
Course OutcomesCourse Outcomes• Understand how the
interaction of air masses produces a storm– Cyclogenesis– Types of fronts
• The role of upper air conditions
Course OutcomesCourse Outcomes
• Plot and interpret weather maps– Surface maps– Upper air maps
Surface Synoptic Map Upper air map
Course OutcomesCourse Outcomes• Identify Types of Severe Weather
Know what precautions to take . . .
Course OutcomesCourse Outcomes• Forecast weather
using– Synoptic maps– Weather data trends– Numerical Data