To understand weather, we must learn how air pressure, temperature, and moisture interact within the atmosphere to affect conditions like wind, clouds, and precipitation. Here’s a concise breakdown:
• Weather vs. Climate
Weather is short-term atmospheric conditions. Climate refers to long-term weather patterns in a region. Let’s focus on the weather wherever you are.
• The Atmosphere
The Earth’s atmosphere, where weather occurs, is mostly nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). Weather is primarily in the troposphere, which extends from the Earth’s surface upward about 5 to 10 miles. Air pressure is the weight of the air above us and varies with altitude to influence weather patterns. Wind moves from high to low pressure.
• Temperature
Temperature is influenced by solar radiation (energy) and by the Earth’s surface ability to absorb or reflect it. The sun heats the Earth’s surface unevenly, which leads to temperature differences. Daily cycles of heating and cooling create changing weather conditions. Heat moves toward cold. The temperature differences drive wind and ocean currents. Temperatures rise during the day and fall at night due to the Earth’s rotation in relation to the sun.
• Air Pressure and Wind
Air pressure differences create winds. High-pressure systems bring fair weather as air sinks while low-pressure systems allow moisture to condense in rising air. Higher differences between highs and lows cause stronger winds.
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photo © Mark
M. Hancock & The Dallas Morning News |
• Humidity and Precipitation
Humidity (water vapor in the air) affects cloud formation and precipitation. When vapor condenses, it falls as rain, snow, or hail depending on temperature.
• Clouds
Clouds form when moist air rises and cools. Cloud types signal different weather conditions such as cumulus - fair weather, stratus - overcast, or cumulonimbus - storms.
• Weather Fronts
A front is a boundary between air masses. Cold fronts bring storms, warm fronts cause gradual cloud formation, and stationary fronts lead to prolonged precipitation.
• Storms and Extreme Weather
Extreme weather like thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards result from rapid or violent atmospheric instability or energy release.
• The Water Cycle
Water constantly cycles as it moves from the oceans to the atmosphere and onto land through evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff.
• Geography’s Role
Geography affects weather: mountains create rain shadows (dry areas on the leeward side), oceans moderate temperatures, and elevation influences weather patterns.
• Tools and Instruments
Meteorologists use instruments to gather measurements like thermometers - temperature, barometers - air pressure, hygrometers - humidity, anemometers - wind speed, and radar - precipitation. Satellites track storms.
• Forecasting
Weather predictions are made with data from past patterns, atmospheric conditions, and forecasting models.
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Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
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214-862-7212 (call or text)
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