Introduction to Meteorology Definition Meteorology can be defined

Introduction to Meteorology

Definition: Meteorology can be defined as the science that deals with the study of the atmosphere. Divisions of Meteorology: 1. Marine Meteorology-pertaining to the sea and ocean 2. Aeronomy- investigates both the chemical and physical properties of the atmosphere and the changes that occur in these as the result of external and internal forces. 3. Biometeorology-study of the interactions between living organisms and their atmospheric environment

STRUCTURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE 1. Troposphere- from surface upwards temp decreases with altitude, tropopause 2. Stratosphere- isothermal, inversion layer-50 km, absorption of uv radiation-2550 km, explosive warming of the stratosphere 3. Mesosphere- 50 to 80 km , temperature decreases with altitude, lowering to about – 95°C at the mesopause around 80 km 4. Thermosphere- temp 300°C by 80 km 5. Exosphere- lighter gases-hydrogen and helium-free from earth’s gravitational field and escape to space by about 600 km

COMPOSITION OF ATMOSPHERE • Gases-nitrogen-78%, oxygen-21%, 1%-trace gases-argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, krypton, xenon, hydrogen, ozone, methane, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides • Water vapour-depends on the latitude, temp, wind atmospheric systems • Aerosols-suspension of fine solid and liquid particles

Composition of atmosphere