Welcome to Meteorology 10

Professor Jeff Gawrych

De Anza College

Meterology Definition

• The science that deals with the phenomena of the atmosphere, especially weather and weather conditions

Part of the Geosciences

Meteorology- Atmospheric science

- Atmospheric chemistry/physics

- Climatology/Paleoclimatology

- Biometeorology

Oceanography•study of the ocean and its phenomena

Similar in many ways to meteorology

Geology•Studies origin, history, and structure of the earth.

Geography/

Environmental Science- A large factor in many area of meteorology. E.g. Land use

What is Weather/Climate?

• Weather: The atmospheric conditions at a particular place and time– E.g. It’s currently 80º with a relative humidity of 40%

– Today’s high temeprature was 50º

• Climate: The time-averaged conditions at a particular location– San Francisco is prone to summertime fog

– It hardly ever rains in San Jose during the summertime

– The average high temeprature in January is 52.9º

Part of a bigger system

• Atmosphere: this course• Hydrosphere: Oceans/lakes/rivers• Cryosphere: Ice caps• Lithosphere: Solid ground/rock• Biosphere: All living things including plants

and animals– ALL OF THESE ARE CO-DEPENDENT ON

ONE ANOTHER

385 ppm in 2007

Concept of a Balance

• The weather serves to keep earth in a heat balance. Pure and simple.

• Without it, the poles would be much colder and the tropics much warmer

• Maintains earth’s heat balance along with the oceans

• Earth tries to achieve balance, but never fully does. This is VERY GOOD for me as a meteorologist.

Who cares?

– We must always be able to answer this question.• Why we care about the atmosphere?

– we live with it and it sustains life» not all planets have atmosphere meaning:» there’s no life (air to breathe)» temperatures are usually too hot or too cold

– Affects our day-to day activites» What to wear. Stay in or go out.

– Affects business» Flight delays/crop forecasts/weather shutdowns

What do meteorologists do?

• Study the sun and its phenomena: physicists• Study climate history of earth• Use math in numerical models to aid research and

practical tools, like forecast models• Work in the solar and wind energy fields• Air pollution--A big issue everywhere now.• Study planetary atmospheres, like Mars• Forecasting (air, sea, business, land use, building

design)• Teach, por supuesto!

Course Outline

• Our study of the atmopshere will focus on weather forecasting: predicting future weather events

• We will learn the meteorlogical tools to effectively observe,diagnose and predict future weather events

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