Questions and Answers
What is wind?
Wind is the horizontal motion of the air past a given point.
How does wind form?
Winds begin with differences in air pressures, creating a force that pushes air from high pressure to low pressure.
What is used to describe wind direction?
Wind direction indicates the direction from which the wind is blowing.
What are wind gusts?
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What is humidity?
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The mean annual temperature of the Philippines is ___°C.
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What are the major seasons in the Philippines?
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What is the average monthly relative humidity in the Philippines during March?
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Which city in the Philippines has the greatest amount of rainfall?
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Match the climate types in the Philippines with their characteristics.
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What is the primary heat source for our planet?
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Which of the following are methods by which heat is transferred in the atmosphere? (Select all that apply)
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Conduction is the least effective method of heat transfer in metals.
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What does Earth's energy budget track?
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What is the solar constant?
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What percentage of solar energy hitting Earth's atmosphere is approximately absorbed by the Earth?
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The Earth's temperature remains constant due to a perfect balance of incoming and outgoing energy.
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What are the three distinct cells that help transport energy and heat from the equator to the poles called?
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What is humidity?
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What is the dew point?
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Study Notes
Weather and Hydrology
Solar and Earth
- The sun is the primary heat source for Earth, transferring energy through space to the atmosphere and surface.
- Heat transfer occurs via radiation, conduction, and convection.
- Radiation: Heat energy travels through electromagnetic waves, mainly infrared and ultraviolet light. Most solar energy is absorbed by the atmosphere.
- Conduction: Heat transfer occurs from one substance to another or within a substance, effective in metals but poor in air.
- Convection: Heat transfer in fluids (including air) where warmer air rises and cooler air sinks, creating circulation patterns.
Heat Balance at Earth’s Surface
- The Earth's energy budget tracks energy inflow and outflow to understand climate dynamics.
- Solar energy maintains suitable temperatures for life and influences weather patterns.
- The solar constant is 1367 W/m², average energy received at Earth's atmosphere accounting for distance variations from the sun.
- Only about 30% of solar radiation is reflected back into space; roughly 70% is absorbed by the Earth.
- Energy absorbed: On clear days, solar irradiation is reduced due to atmospheric absorption (16%) and reflection (6%).
- Air Mass: AM0 represents solar radiation outside the atmosphere, while AM1.5 is a standard used in testing solar panels.
- Greenhouse gases cause some emitted energy to be reflected back to Earth, contributing to the greenhouse effect and maintaining habitable temperatures.
- Increased carbon dioxide levels lead to energy imbalances, resulting in rising temperatures and climate change.
General Atmospheric Circulation
- Winds are driven by Earth's rotation and solar energy, affecting global wind patterns and local climates.
- The atmosphere contains three circulation cells per hemisphere: Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells.
- Hadley Cell: Extends from the equator to 30°, with warm, moist air rising at the equator and descending at higher latitudes, resulting in jet streams.
- High-pressure regions typically lead to clear skies and deserts.
Temperature, Humidity, and Wind
- Temperature is influenced by solar radiation, showing variations depending on energy distribution.
- Atmospheric pressure results from gas molecule collisions, changing with temperature and gas density.
- Standard atmospheric pressure is 1013.2 millibars at 15°C and 45° latitude.
- Humidity: Indicates moisture content in the air, crucial for comfort and weather phenomena like precipitation.
- Relative humidity depends on air temperature, with higher humidity causing discomfort and lower humidity increasing dehydration risk.
- Dew Point: A stable indicator of humidity, representing the temperature at which air becomes saturated.
- High humidity can lead to plant health issues, affecting turgor pressure and transpiration rates.
Wind
- Wind is the horizontal movement of air, characterized by direction and speed, influencing evaporation, precipitation, and weather patterns.
- Wind forms from atmospheric pressure differences, with air moving from high to low-pressure areas, creating a pressure gradient force.
- Wind speed is influenced by the strength of the pressure gradient and the distance between high and low-pressure areas.### Wind and Wind Factors
- Wind Run: Total distance traveled by wind in 24 hours, recorded in kilometers and tenths.
- Wind Direction: Indicates where the wind originates; measured with compass points (N, S, E, W) and degrees (360°, 90°, 180°, 270°).
- Prevailing Wind: The direction that is most frequently recorded.
- Wind Speed: Usually expressed in miles per hour or knots; affected by ground friction and the Coriolis effect.
- Coriolis Effect: A force acting perpendicular to the direction of motion in a rotating system, influencing wind direction.
- Wind Gusts: Sudden, brief increases in wind speed as defined by the National Weather Service.
Weather and Climate Definitions
- Weather: Current atmospheric conditions relating to variables like temperature, precipitation, and wind.
- Climate: Long-term average of weather conditions measured over several years.
Climate of the Philippines
- Characterized as tropical and maritime, with high temperatures, humidity, and abundant rainfall.
Temperature
- Mean Annual Temperature: 26.6°C, excluding Baguio (18.3°C).
- Coolest Month: January, with a mean of 25.5°C.
- Warmest Month: May, with a mean of 28.3°C.
- Minimal temperature variation across regions at sea level (e.g., Zamboanga vs. Laoag).
Humidity
- High Relative Humidity: Ranges from 71% in March to 85% in September, influenced by high temperatures and nearby water bodies.
- Sensible Temperature: Heightened discomfort due to the combination of high temperature and humidity from March to May.
Rainfall
- Key Climatic Element: Varies regionally based on moisture-bearing wind directions and mountain locations.
- Mean Annual Rainfall: Varies from 965 to 4,064 millimeters; Baguio, Eastern Samar, and Eastern Surigao receive the most, while General Santos City has the least (978 mm).
Seasons
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Major Seasons:
- Rainy Season: June to November.
- Dry Season: December to May, further divided into cool (December to February) and hot (March to May) dry seasons.
Climate Types in the Philippines
- Type I: Distinct seasons with a dry period from December to May and a wet period from June to November; maximum rain from June to September.
- Type II: No dry season; notable maximum rain from December to January; primarily located along eastern coasts.
- Type III: Short dry season (1-3 months), influenced by both southwest and northeast monsoons.
- Type IV: Relatively even rainfall distribution throughout the year; no dry season.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of weather and hydrology, focusing on solar energy, heat balance, and atmospheric circulation. This quiz will also discuss temperature, humidity, and weather patterns specific to the Philippines. Test your understanding of how these elements interact to shape our climate.
