Weather & Climate
Mr. SkirbstLife Science
Topic 20
Weather
Weather
The condition of the atmosphere in terms of heat, pressure, wind, and moisture
Atmosphere- Mixture of gases surrounding the Earth
Atmosphere- Mixture of gases surrounding the Earth- Four (4) distinct layers in the atmosphere
4 Layers of Atmosphere
Troposphere – (0 to 16 km)- lowest layer where most weather takes place- av. Temp. decreases- Tropopause is top boundary
4 Layers of Atmosphere
Stratosphere – (16 – 48 km)- Ozone layer absorbs UV light- Av. Temp. increases- Stratopause is top boundary
4 Layers of Atmosphere
Mesosphere – (48 – 80 km)- Protects us from meteoroids- Av. Temp. decreases (-100oC)- Mesopause is top boundary
4 Layers of AtmosphereThermosphere– (80 - 3200 km)
- Av. Temp. increases (>2000oC)- Lower layer – Ionosphere
- bounces radio signals- Upper layer – Exosphere
- satellites orbit here
Heat Energy-The sun is the sources of most of the heat in the atmosphere
Heat Energy-The sun is the sources of most of the heat in the atmosphere- Heat is spread in 3 ways:
Heat Energy-The sun is the sources of most of the heat in the atmosphere- Heat is spread in 3 ways:
1. Radiation – transfer by waves
Heat Energy-The sun is the sources of most of the heat in the atmosphere- Heat is spread in 3 ways:
1. Radiation – transfer by waves2. Conduction – by contact
Heat Energy-The sun is the sources of most of the heat in the atmosphere- Heat is spread in 3 ways:
1. Radiation – transfer by waves2. Conduction – by contact3. Convection – by fluid (air too)
Heat Energy
Heat Energy Greenhouse
Effect:
Air Pressure- Force of atmosphere pushing
on the Earth’s surface- Depends on air’s density
Air Pressure- Force of atmosphere pushing
on the Earth’s surface- Depends on air’s density- 3 factors affecting air pressure
Air Pressure1. Temperature
- as temp increases,air pressure decreases
Air Pressure2. Water Vapor
- moisture in air- as water vapor increases,air pressure decreases
Air Pressure3. Altitude
- elevation above sea level- as altitude increases,air pressure decreases
Wind
- Movement of air due to differences in air pressure resulting from unequal heating of the atmosphere
Wind2 Types of wind:
1. Local Wind (short distances)
Wind2 Types of wind:
1. Local Wind (short distances)Sea breeze – from sea to land
Wind2 Types of wind:
1. Local Wind (short distances)Sea breeze – from sea to landLand breeze – from land to sea
Wind2 Types of wind:
2. Global Wind (long distances)
Coriolis Effect – shift in movement above surface resulting from Earth’s spin
WindCoriolis Effect:Northern Hemisphere –Shift is always to the RIGHT
WindCoriolis Effect:Northern Hemisphere –Shift is always to the RIGHTSouthern Hemisphere –Shift is always to the LEFT
WindCoriolis Effect:
WindGlobal Wind Patterns:
HumidityMoisture in the air (water vapor)
HumidityMoisture in the air (water vapor)Relative Humidity – a measure
of the amount of moisture
% RH = moisture in airMoisture air can hold
HumidityPsychrometer – instrument with
a dry and wet bulb used to measure relative humidity
CloudsCollection of condensed
moisture in the air (moisture condenses to dust particles)
Clouds3 Types of Clouds:
Clouds3 Types of Clouds:1. Cumulus – white, tall and fluffy
Clouds3 Types of Clouds:2. Stratus – grey, flat and layered
Clouds3 Types of Clouds:3. Cirrus – feathery, high + wispy
PrecipitationRainSnowSleetHailFreezing rainAcid Rain
Weather ForcastingWeather map symbolsBuy’s Ballots LawOrographic Effect
ClimateGeneral weather in an area over
a long period of time