Introduction of Meteorology

Objectives To describe, in your own words, what the word meteorology means. To describe, in your own words, what a meteorologist is. To describe, in your own words, what weather is. To describe, in your own words, what a climate. To describe, in your own words, the difference between weather and climate.

What is Meteorology? It is the scientific study of all changes in the atmosphere. This is very useful for weather forecasting.

What is a meteorologist? A person who studies changes in the atmosphere. This person may forecast the weather.

What is weather? The four main components which cause weather are the Sun, the atmosphere, water vapour and the wind. These all work together, spreading the Sun’s heat around the world and making clouds, rain and snow. Weather is an endless cycle of events.

Where does it happen? The atmosphere is like a giant blanket of air around the Earth. It is divided into layers. Weather happens in the troposphere, the layer directly above the ground. We will learn more about he atmosphere in lesson 2.

Here are the 5 major weather elements: Air Temperature Wind Humidity Pressure Rainfall So why are there changes in these five elements?

The scientific study of climate and weather- Meteorology will explain why.

Can you name different types of weather?

Climate and Weather We will begin our study of the weather by learning the difference between the word “weather” and the “word climate.”

Weather Weather is what happens outside day to day based on the seasons and other factors.

Climate Climate is the pattern of weather that occurs over a long period of time in a particular area or region. Desert or arid Tropical Polar Forrest tundra Temperate Mountain

Dessert/Arid Arid climates can be found on every continent. They range from hot and dry deserts that see almost no rain to semiarid scrub land where rain falls intermittently. Arid climates are not suitable for most life forms. Plants and animals that make their homes in arid climates have made special adaptations to the environment. Read more: Characteristics of Arid Climates | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8441465_characteristics-arid-climates.html#ixzz1fhptx1vz

Tropical One of the classifications is that of tropical wet climates, or rainforests. Humid tropical climates have distinguishing characteristics other than temperature and precipitation. Tropical humid climates have distinct locations and abundant animal and plant life. Read more: The Characteristics of a Humid, Tropical Climate | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8520547_characteristics-humid-tropical-climate.html#ixzz1fhqICV2y

Polar Polar climates remain very cold throughout the year with temperatures ranging between negative 70 degrees and 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Physical characteristics of polar climates include glaciers and thick layers of ice on the ground. The different kinds of polar climates include tundra climates and ice cap climates. Tundra climates have at least one month in a year when the average temperature is above freezing levels. The coldest temperatures in the world are found in Antarctica, which is an ice cap climate. Read more: What Are the Six Climate Zones? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8160068_six-climate-zones.html#ixzz1fhqYFhQu

Trundra The tundra climate is found along arctic coastal areas. Polar and arctic air masses dominate the tundra climate. The winter season is long and severe. A short, mild season exists, but not a true summer season. Moderating ocean winds keep the temperatures from being as severe as interior regions.

Forrest This is a continental climate with long, very cold winters, and short, cool summers. This climate is found in the polar air mass region. Very cold air masses from the arctic often move in. The temperature range is larger than any other climate. Precipitation increases during summer months, although annual precipitation is still small.

Temperate Temperate climates, otherwise known as meso-thermal climates, are cooler than subtropical climates, but warmer than polar climates. The moderate oceanic climate is a sub-type of temperate climates. The regions have fresh summers and wet winters with mild weather. A continental moderate climate is another sub-type of temperate climates. These regions have hot, rainy summers and cold, dry winters. Read more: What Are the Six Climate Zones? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8160068_six-climate-zones.html#ixzz1fhqrAIba

Mountain Alpine climates are similar to tundra climates because they are both cold and dry throughout the entire year. The annual precipitation of alpine climates is about 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) per year. These climates are found at the tops of mountains, which are vacant of any trees, other than dwarf trees. Other plants found in alpine climates include tussock grasses, heaths and shrubs. Read more: What Are the Six Climate Zones? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8160068_six-climate-zones.html#ixzz1fhqhrCee

Weather Journal Cover: title and name First page: definition (in your own words) of the word “meteorology” and “meteorologist.” Second page: definition (in your own words) of weather with pictures of different types of weather. Third page: definition of climate (in your own words) plus a picture of each different type of climate. Review rubric to make sure your work meets all requirements.

Forecasting Project