GEOG 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Atmospheric Sciences, Climatology
Document Summary
A general term for the study of the structure and dynamics of earth"s atmosphere. Meteorology the study & forecasting of weather. Climatology the study of climate & climate change. Aerology the study of the properties of the upper atmosphere. The state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place. Components of weather = temperature, pressure, humidity, wind, cloud cover, visibility, etc. The average state of the atmosphere over a long period of time. Calculated averages are calculated from data over a 30-year period. Weather and climate phenomena are categorized into 2 types of scales: special (space/geographic) and temporal (time) Weather conditions are observed by satellites, radar, radiosondes, and trained professionals. Data are recorded on surface weather maps and reported to the public. The mixture of gases and suspended particles surrounding the earth. The maximum air pressure is at the earth"s surface. The lowest 10 km of the atmosphere contains 90% of its mass.