Weather and Climate Basics

Weather vs. Climate

• Weather refers to the short-term conditions of the atmosphere at a specific place and time, including temperature, humidity, cloudiness, wind, and precipitation.
• Climate refers to the long-term average atmospheric conditions in a particular region, including temperature, precipitation, and other factors.

Weather Elements

• Temperature: measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F)
• Humidity: the amount of moisture in the air, measured as a percentage
• Cloudiness: the amount of cloud cover, measured in oktas (0-8)
• Wind: the movement of air, measured in speed (m/s) and direction
• Precipitation: water that falls to the ground, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail

Weather Forecasting

• Observation: collecting data on current weather conditions using weather stations, radar, and satellites
• Modeling: using computer models to predict future weather patterns based on current conditions and historical data
• Forecasting: predicting future weather conditions based on observation and modeling data

Weather Systems

• High-pressure systems: areas of high atmospheric pressure, often associated with fair weather
• Low-pressure systems: areas of low atmospheric pressure, often associated with stormy weather
• Fronts: boundaries between two air masses of different temperatures and humidity levels
  • Cold front: a cold air mass moves into a warm air mass
  • Warm front: a warm air mass moves into a cold air mass
  • Stationary front: a cold and warm air mass meet, but neither moves

Weather Phenomena

• Thunderstorms: storms characterized by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain
• Tornadoes: rotating columns of air that touch the ground
• Hurricanes: large, rotating storms that form over warm ocean waters
• Blizzards: severe snowstorms with high winds and low visibility