State of the Atmosphere

Temperature is a measurement of how rapidly or slowly molecules move around.

Heat. is the transfer of energy that occurs because of a difference in temperature between substances.

Temperature can be measured in three ways Fahrenheit – not the same scale as Celsius and Kelvin Celsius (centigrade) – based on water freezing - 0 and boiling 100 Kelvin – is basically Celsius shifted to absolute zero

dew point is the temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure to reach saturation. when dew forms

Vertical Temperature Changes Adiabatic Lapse Rates - 10°C every 1000m * Dry air cools more Quickly! Lifted Condensation Level (LCL) = the bottom level of the clouds Moist Adiabatic Lapse Rate - 4°C to 9°C every 1000m * Wet air cools more slowly…

Pressure and Temperature are directly related

Temperature and Density are inversely related

Direct vs. Indirect Pressure Density Temperature Temperature

Temperature Inversions Hot air is usually closer to the earth because the sun heats the surface of the earth. Temperature inversions- when cool air gets trapped beneath hot air. This happens in Los Angeles and causes smog = smoke (from cars) + fog (moisture in air)

Wind moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

Weather Map Warm air rises quickly and forms cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms (Sometimes tornados)

Humidity – the amount of water in the air.

The amount of humidity varies with Temperature

Amount of water air can hold Relative Humidity– is the ratio of how much water is in the air to how much it can hold. Humidity = Relative Humidity Amount of water air can hold