MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology - Lecture 1 “The Atmosphere” Dr. Eugene Cordero San Jose State University Reading: Week 1 W&H: Chapter 1, Pg. 1-21 Stull: Chapter 1 Pg. 1-8, Appendix A MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Lecture Outline Greensheet Introduction to Meteorology Meteorological conventions SI Units (unit conversions) Fundamentals of problem solving MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Weather - Climate - Meteorology and Climatology represent the study of weather and climate respectively, but are each components of Atmospheric Science and are dealt with in this course I think that it would be worthwhile at this introductory lecture to provide some definitions that you may have never thought of before Go through..... Climatology also has a distinctly Geographical component to it - we often consider what gives one region or locality a different climate from another. However, although this course is put on by Geography and Environmental Science, there are clear components of meteorology and climatology in it. In the course we will not be taking a particularly mathematical approach to atmospheric science, but everything we will talk about will be based on sound physical principles. MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Weather - the state of the atmosphere at a particular point in time Climate - a generalization or synthesis of the weather observed over a longer time period Meteorology and Climatology represent the study of weather and climate respectively, but are each components of Atmospheric Science and are dealt with in this course I think that it would be worthwhile at this introductory lecture to provide some definitions that you may have never thought of before Go through..... Climatology also has a distinctly Geographical component to it - we often consider what gives one region or locality a different climate from another. However, although this course is put on by Geography and Environmental Science, there are clear components of meteorology and climatology in it. In the course we will not be taking a particularly mathematical approach to atmospheric science, but everything we will talk about will be based on sound physical principles. MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Forecast Skill MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

Characteristic time and space scales for atmospheric phenomena MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

Characteristic time and space scales for atmospheric phenomena What characteristic time (temporal) scale and distance (spatial) scale would describe the following atmospheric phenomena? Also, what would you call these motions in terms of Mesoscale, microscale etc. Cumulus clouds developing over some mountains. The wavy pattern of fast flowing winds called the jet stream. The turbulence generated by a forest canopy. A midlatitude cyclone passing through the west coast. MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

Subfields of Meteorology Thermodynamics Physical Meteorology Dynamic meteorology Climatology Synoptic Meteorology I think that it would be worthwhile at this introductory lecture to provide some definitions that you may have never thought of before Go through..... Climatology also has a distinctly Geographical component to it - we often consider what gives one region or locality a different climate from another. However, although this course is put on by Geography and Environmental Science, there are clear components of meteorology and climatology in it. In the course we will not be taking a particularly mathematical approach to atmospheric science, but everything we will talk about will be based on sound physical principles. MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

Subfields of Meteorology Thermodynamics Study of energy and energy conversion Physical Meteorology Study of microscale atmospheric particles and processes Dynamic meteorology Study of atmospheric motions Climatology The study of the climate and how the earth's atmosphere changes over long periods of time. Synoptic Meteorology Study of midlatitude weather systems I think that it would be worthwhile at this introductory lecture to provide some definitions that you may have never thought of before Go through..... Climatology also has a distinctly Geographical component to it - we often consider what gives one region or locality a different climate from another. However, although this course is put on by Geography and Environmental Science, there are clear components of meteorology and climatology in it. In the course we will not be taking a particularly mathematical approach to atmospheric science, but everything we will talk about will be based on sound physical principles. MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

How do we study the atmosphere? MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

How do we study the atmosphere? Observe Develop physical understanding (theory) Test understanding (prediction) Compare prediction with observations and refine theory MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology El Niño (sea surface temps) MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

Meteorological Conventions Wind: U: ___________________ V: ___________________ W: ___________________ Winds are named by direction they are from: Northeasterly winds mean? ___________ A South wind is? ____________________ A westward wind means? _____________ I think that it would be worthwhile at this introductory lecture to provide some definitions that you may have never thought of before Go through..... Climatology also has a distinctly Geographical component to it - we often consider what gives one region or locality a different climate from another. However, although this course is put on by Geography and Environmental Science, there are clear components of meteorology and climatology in it. In the course we will not be taking a particularly mathematical approach to atmospheric science, but everything we will talk about will be based on sound physical principles. MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

Meteorological Conventions Wind: U: ___________________ V: ___________________ W: ___________________ Winds are named by direction they are from: Northeasterly winds mean? ___________ A South wind is? ____________________ A westward wind means? _____________ East-West direction North-South direction Vertical direction I think that it would be worthwhile at this introductory lecture to provide some definitions that you may have never thought of before Go through..... Climatology also has a distinctly Geographical component to it - we often consider what gives one region or locality a different climate from another. However, although this course is put on by Geography and Environmental Science, there are clear components of meteorology and climatology in it. In the course we will not be taking a particularly mathematical approach to atmospheric science, but everything we will talk about will be based on sound physical principles. From the north-east From the south To the east/from the west MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Units… Meteorology uses both English and Metric unit systems. For example: However, scientifically speaking, we use the metric system or the SI system (MKS) A measurement without a unit is only a number. Units are very important!! Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Units… Meteorology uses both English and Metric unit systems. For example: Distance (kilometres and miles) Temperature (ºC, ºF and ºK) Pressure (bar, pascal) However, scientifically speaking, we use the metric system or the SI system (MKS) A measurement without a unit is only a number. Units are very important!! Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Unit terminology peta P 1,000,000,000,000,000 1015 tera T 1,000,000,000,000 1012 giga G 1,000,000,000 109 mega M 1,000,000 106 kilo k 1,000 103 hecto h 100 102 deca da 10 101 no prefix 1 100 deci d 0.1 10-1 centi c 0.01 10-2 milli m 0.001 10-3 micro m .000001 10-6 nano n 0.000000001 10-9 pico p 0.000000000001 10-12 femto f 0.000000000000001 10-15 Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Unit terminology Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Basic MKS units Physical Quantity Name of SI unit Symbol for SI unit length mass time temperature amount of substance electric current Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Basic MKS units Physical Quantity Name of SI unit Symbol for SI unit length metre (meter) m mass kilogram kg time second s temperature Kelvin K amount of substance mole mol electric current ampere A Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Other Units Quantity Name Derived unit MKS Force Newton (N) kg m s-2 Pressure Pascal (Pa) (Nm-2)= Energy Joule (J) (N m )= Power Watt (W) (Js-1) = Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Other Units Quantity Name Derived unit MKS Force Newton (N) kg m s-2 Pressure Pascal (Pa) (Nm-2)= Energy Joule (J) (N m )= Power Watt (W) (Js-1)= kg m-1 s-2 kg m2 s-2 kg m2 s-3 Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Units… Meteorology often uses non standard units for both temperature and pressure. Conversions: (9/5 x ºC) + 32 = ºF (ºF – 32) x 5/9 = ºC K= ºC+273.15 Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Temperature Absolute zero = 0 K = -273.15ºC = -459.67ºF Boiling Point of water at standard Ps (surface pressure) (K, C and F) Freezing Point of water at standard Ps (K, C and F) Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Temperature Absolute zero = 0 K = -273.15ºC = -459.67ºF Boiling Point of water at standard Ps (surface pressure) (K, C and F) = 373.15K = 100ºC = 212ºF Freezing Point of water at standard Ps (K, C and F) = 273.15K = 0ºC = 32ºF Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Pressure 100 Pa = 1 hPa = 1 millibar (mb) = .75 mm Hg 1 standard atm = 1013.25mb =1013.25 hPa = 760 mm Hg Nitrogen, one of the essential building blocks for life Oxygen, also extremely important for life - oxidation releases energy in food Argon is abundant, but relatively unimportant Water vapour is an important gas climatically and also for life on earth and varies across the surface of the earth - very high concentrations over the tropical oceans, very low concentrations over the Poles. Ozone is a gas with an importance out of proportion to its volume. Its role is in protection of the Earth’s surface from harmful very short wave radiation from the sun Carbon dioxide, present in relatively small quantities, is extremely important in determining global climate for reasons that we will discuss in subsequent lectures. It is also important for life on earth. It is variable on a daily and seasonal basis because of its role in photosynthesis, and also is steadily climbing in concentration because of human activity MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology

MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology Activity 1 (Due Jan 31st ) Convert 100 mph to ms-1 Convert 25 mm Hg per 100 miles to hPa per meter. Exercise 1.9 Exercise 1.12 A friend comments that the recent blizzard on the east coast proves that ‘global warming’ is not real. Comment on your friends comment. I think that it would be worthwhile at this introductory lecture to provide some definitions that you may have never thought of before Go through..... Climatology also has a distinctly Geographical component to it - we often consider what gives one region or locality a different climate from another. However, although this course is put on by Geography and Environmental Science, there are clear components of meteorology and climatology in it. In the course we will not be taking a particularly mathematical approach to atmospheric science, but everything we will talk about will be based on sound physical principles. MET 61 Introduction to Meteorology