Introducing Meteorology is an engaging introduction to weather and meteorology, and the copious illustrations are sure to spark your interest. There's also a section on clouds, the Coriolis effect, and Stratus clouds. The book is a great gift for beginners and those who want to learn more about the world around them. Read through this article to know more about the book as well as the subject it deals with.
Introducing Meteorology
Introducing Meteorology and Weather Forecasting is an introductory textbook that covers the science behind weather and forecasting. It provides an overview of the physical conditions of the Earth's atmosphere and discusses the forces that influence it. It also covers climate change and forecasting. The book is well-illustrated and written for a general audience.
The term "meteorology" comes from the Greeks studying the weather. The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote the book Meteorologica in 340 B.C.E., which contained all their knowledge about weather and climate. It was named after the Greek word "meteoron," which meant "high-up" or "in the air." Thus, scientists who studied weather and climate became known as meteorologists. Check out this site to know more.
Clouds
The study of clouds is a basic part of meteorology. Observing clouds allows us to understand the weather conditions in a short time. Clouds of different types and densities often indicate different types of weather. For example, cirrus clouds, which are found above the horizon, indicate light rain or snow. However, cumulus clouds are dense and ominous, indicating the potential for severe storms.
NASA scientists have been investigating clouds' secrets to improve weather forecasts. They work with two weather satellites, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite System (GOES) and the Satellite Cloud and Radiative Property Retrieval System (SatCORPS). The SatCORPS team combines data from the GOES satellite with NASA's cloud imaging to improve the accuracy of NOAA's daily weather forecasts.
Stratus clouds
Stratus clouds can form for a variety of reasons. They typically form on the outer edge of an unstable cloud, such as a cumulonimbus cloud. They can be extremely thick and can produce light snow and drizzle.
Their name comes from the Latin word praecipitatio, which means "precipitation." Stratus clouds can also form when stratocumulus is spreading out under an inversion, which is the cause of prolonged cloudy weather. Stratus clouds are also common in anticyclone conditions, which are characterized by weak warm fronts.
Stratus clouds are gray, low-level layers that are characterized by horizontal layering. They are similar to fog in their appearance and shape. They develop during winter months and can indicate upcoming cold air. However, they do not usually signal much weather activity.
Coriolis effect
The Coriolis effect is a natural phenomenon that impacts many elements of weather and climate. It plays a role in ocean currents and wind patterns. Air moves away from the equator at a faster rate than it does toward the poles. This phenomenon can be seen in the illustration below. The effect causes air to move away from the equator in a counterclockwise direction.
The Coriolis force is the result of the motion of air around pressure contours. Air flows in a counterclockwise direction around low-pressure areas, while air flows clockwise around high-pressure areas.
Accuracy of weather forecasts
Accuracy of weather forecasting is an important part of the weather process and can save lives and prevent damage to property. It is also important for agriculture, as it helps farmers plan to plant dates and protect crops.
Accurate forecasts are increasingly important as climate change and climate variability cause more frequent and intense weather events. Today, many meteorologists are working to improve the accuracy of their forecasts. Accurate forecasts can spur socioeconomic development in developing nations, such as Africa.
Despite these improvements, there is still a lot of work to be done in order to increase accuracy. For example, a 10-day forecast is only accurate 50 percent of the time. Computer programs used by meteorologists to make forecasts are called weather models. These programs use estimates that are based on current weather conditions. These estimates become less accurate the further into the future the forecast is made.
