ATMOSPHERE WEATHER REVIEW Atmospheric Composition Atmosphere Layers Air

ATMOSPHERE & WEATHER REVIEW

Atmospheric Composition

Atmosphere Layers

Air Pressure & Temperature vs Altitude

Energy from Sun

Earth’s Energy Budget

Thermal Energy Transfer ■ Conduction – Is the transfer of thermal energy by collisions between particles of matter ■ Convection – The transfer of thermal energy by the movement of particles within mater ■ Radiation – The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

Temperature Inversion

Global Winds & Wind Belts ■ Wind – The movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure

Coriolis Effect

Sea & Land Breeze

Weather Variables ■ Air Temperature – average kinetic energy of molecules in air ■ Air Pressure – the force that a column of air applies on the air or a surface ■ ■ ■ below; measure with a barometer Wind – air movement from high to low pressure; measured with a anemometer Humidity – amount of water vapor in the air Dew Point – the temperature at which air is fully saturated and condensation can occur Clouds – form when water vapor condensates Precipitation – is water, in liquid or solid form, that falls from the atmosphere Water Cycle – the series of natural processes by which water continually moves among oceans, land, and the atmosphere

Pressure Systems

Air Masses

Fronts

Severe Weather

Surface & Upper-air Reports ■ Surface Report – Describes a set of weather measurements made on Earth’s surface ■ Upper-air Report – Describes wind, temperature, and humidity conditions above Earth’s surface

Satellite Imaging Visible Light Satellite Image Infrared Satellite Image

Doppler Radar ■ Doppler Radar – A specialized type of radar that can detect precipitation as well the movement of small particles, which can be used to approximate wind speed

Station Model

Mapping Pressure ■ Isobars – Lines that connect all places on a map where pressure has the same value

Weather vs Climate