1. Meteorology, Weather, Climate

2. So, what’s meteorology?

3. No, it’s not the study of objects from space that strike Earth.

4. Meteorology
The study of the atmosphere and the phenomena usually referred to as weather.
One of the Earth sciences
Sciences that seek to understand our planet
In the study of meteorology, these sciences often overlap and include aspects of
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

5. Why is the study of the atmosphere called “meteorology”?
The origin of the word "meteorology" dates back to ancient Greece.
In 340 B.C., Aristotle, a philosopher of the day, wrote a treatise called "Meteorologica" about “meteors,” then defined as any object in the sky.
These airborne items included clouds, snow, and rain--aspects of the atmosphere that fascinated him.
Add “ology” for “ study of” and you get “meteorology.”

6. What is the difference between climate and weather?

7. Climate A composite of a region’s average conditions

8. Climate Applies to long-term changes Measured in terms of:
Temperature
Precipitation
Snow and ice cover
Winds
Can refer to
The entire planet
Specific regions (continents or oceans)

9. What is Weather?

10. Weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place.
Shorter fluctuations atmospheric conditions lasting
Hours
Days
Weeks

11. Typical Newspaper Weather Map

12. Synoptic Weather Map

13. Studying the Atmosphere – The Scientific Method
Hypothesis
An informal idea that has not been widely tested by the scientific community
Most are discarded.
Theory
When a hypothesis is capable of explaining a wide array of observations.
Additional observations support the theory
New techniques for data analysis
Devise models

14. Theories can be discarded
Ongoing work may disprove the predictions of a current theory

15. An Historical Example . . . The Geocentric Model of the Solar System
Devised by Ptolemy (Claudius Ptolemaeus) in the second century AD
Accepted until 1543

16. The Heliocentric Model replaced the Geocentric Model
Pluto is no longer considered a planet!

17. Pluto’s Been Demoted!
On August 24, 2006 the International Astronomical Union redefined the definition of a planet as:
“a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun
has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a nearly round shape,
and has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.”

18. Pluto is now considered a “Dwarf Planet”
Pluto lost its status as a planet because it’s highly eccentric orbit crosses over the orbit of Neptune.
As such it hasn’t “cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.
A dwarf planet like Pluto is
Any other round object that
Has not “cleared the neighborhood around its orbit
Is not a satellite

21. A Law or Unifying Theory
If a theory has survived the test of time
Years or decades
It’s the closest approximation to “the truth” as possible.
It’s impossible to prove a theory as being true.
We can only prove it’s untrue.

22. A View of Earth Earth is a “water planet.”
The most conspicuous features seen from space are
Oceans
Clouds

23. A closer view shows . . .
The three major parts of Earth’s physical environment
The solid Earth (land)
The water portion
Atmosphere

24. Interfaces Our environment is highly integrated
It’s not dominated by land, water, or air alone.
It’s characterized by continuous interactions as
Air comes in contact with rock
Rock comes in contact with water
Water comes in contact with air.

25. Earth’s Four Spheres Earth is divided into four independent parts
Each loosely occupies a shell around Earth
This why they’re called spheres

26. The Geosphere The solid Earth The largest sphere
Extends from the surface to the center of the planet
Three principle regions based on compositional differences
Crust
Mantle
Core

27. The Atmosphere A very shallow layer of gases
99% is within 30 km (20 mi) of Earth’s surface
An integral part of our planet
Provides the air we breath
Protects us from harmful short-wave solar radiation
Energy exchanges between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere and space produce weather.

28. The Hydrosphere
The collective mass of water found on, under, and above Earth’s surface
The hydrosphere includes . . .

29. Oceans Cover nearly 71% of Earth’s surface
Average depth is 3,800 meters (12,500 ft.)
Accounts for 97% of Earth’s water

30. Streams

31. Lakes

32. Glaciers

33. Ground Water

34. Clouds

35. Volume Comparisons Volume of the Entire Hydrosphere Volume of the
Entire Atmosphere

36. The Biosphere Includes all life on Earth
Most is concentrated near Earth’s surface

37. Distribution of Earth’s Water

38. Earth System Science The four spheres can be studied separately
However . . .
The parts are not isolated.
Each is related in some way to the others
A complex and interacting whole results that is called
The Earth System

39. An Interdisciplinary Approach to Studying Earth
The way in which individual components of land, water, air, and life forms are connected must be understood.
A system is
Any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole to serve a function
Most natural systems are driven by sources of energy that move mater and/or energy from one place to another.

40. Open Systems
In most natural systems energy flows into and out of the system.
Weather systems are open systems.
In storms the amount of water vapor available changes, flow of air into and out changes, etc.

41. Processes that alter changes already underway
Feedback Mechanisms
Processes that alter changes already underway
Most systems have a variety of positive and negative feedback mechanisms, particularly the climate system.

42. Positive Feedback
Produces additional climate beyond that caused by the original factor
Amplifies change underway
Not to be interpreted as a “good” change.
Example:
Decrease in solar energy could result in glaciers at high latitudes
Increase in ice and snow cover could further result in lower temperatures.

43. Positive Feedback As climate becomes wetter Forests replace grasslands
Increased transpiration
Rainfall increases due to increased water vapor
Positive Feedback

44. Negative Feedback Climate change is muted.
Not to be considered a “bad” change.
After initial climate change is triggered, some components of the climate system reduce it.
Example
Effect of clouds on warming effects of increasing CO2 in the atmosphere.

45. Negative Feedback
Chemical weathering of certain rocks removes carbon dioxide (CO2)from the atmosphere
CO2 is a greenhouse gas
It absorbs long-wave radiation emitted by Earth’s surface

46. Course Outcomes
Understand how various types of energy transfer affect the atmosphere and weather

47. Course Outcomes Understand weather variables In terms of Temperature
Air pressure
Wind
Moisture
In terms of
Causes
How they’re measured and recorded
Patterns associated with various types of weather
How they’re used in weather prediction

48. Course Outcomes
Understand how the interaction of air masses produces a storm
Cyclogenesis
Types of fronts
The role of upper air conditions

49. Course Outcomes Plot and interpret weather maps Surface maps
Surface Synoptic Map
Upper air map
Plot and interpret weather maps
Surface maps
Upper air maps

50. Course Outcomes Identify Types of Severe Weather
Know what precautions to take . . .

51. Course Outcomes Forecast weather using Synoptic maps
Weather data trends
Numerical Data

52. Website

53. Mastering Geography / Mastering Meteorology
Course ID:
MET101VORWALD
Course Title:
MET 101: Intro to Weather - Vorwald