Atmosphere Layers and Weather Phenomena

Atmosphere Layers

• The atmosphere is divided into layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere.
• The troposphere is the layer closest to Earth's surface.

Instruments

• A barometer measures air pressure.
• Anemometers measure wind speed.
• Meteorologists study weather patterns and forecasting.

Radiation and Energy Transfer

• Radiation is the transfer of energy through a vacuum.
• Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact.
• Convection is the movement of air from high pressure to low pressure areas.

Weather Phenomena

• Cumulus, stratus, and cirrus are cloud types.
• Thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes are severe weather events.
• Global winds are large-scale patterns of air movement.
• Local winds are smaller, regional patterns of air movement.
• The Coriolis Effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects (like wind) caused by Earth's rotation.
• Jet streams are fast-moving air currents in the upper atmosphere.
• Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air; relative humidity describes the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum possible at that temperature.
• Precipitation includes rain, snow etc.
• Air masses are large bodies of air with similar temperature and moisture characteristics.
• Fronts form where air masses with different properties meet. Cold fronts can lead to storms.
• Global warming and the greenhouse effect are related to temperature increases.

Climate vs Weather

• Weather is the short-term state of the atmosphere.
• Climate is the long-term average weather patterns in a region.