Mr. Hartwell -- F-M Meteorology

Weather vs. Weather vs. ClimateClimate

Weather•The state or condition of the atmosphere on a day-to-day basis.

Weather• MeteorologyMeteorology – study of the

atmosphere and its motions; prediction of weather

• From Greek root meteoron, “high in the sky”

U.S. & World Geography• Understanding weather is important

• How can you report the weather if you don’t know where it’s happening?

• Learn the locations of:– 50 U.S. States– 7 Major continents & mountain ranges– All major oceans & seas

Climate

•The condition of the atmosphere over many years.

•Cyclic—patterns

Climate• ClimatologyClimatology –study of meteorological trends; projection

NCODA: Navy Coupled Ocean Data Assimilation

Continents affect climate• Temperature gradient between

tropics & poles drives Earth’s climate• Atmosphere & oceans try to equalize

temperatures• Antarctica—modulates atmospheric

processes

Scales of Weather1.1. SynopticSynoptic2.2. MesoscaleMesoscale3.3. MicroscaleMicroscale4.4. Storm-scale cumulus systemsStorm-scale cumulus systems

Synoptic Weather

Mesoscale Weather

Right: Northeast RADAR 9/9/07

Microscale Weather

Weather events too small for a weather map, for example

Storm-Scale Cumulus Systems

Specific storm-related weather

Map Plotting• Latitude: a place on Earth north or

south of the Equator

• Longitude: a place east or west of the Prime Meridian

‘+’ = North and/or East‘—’= South and/or West

Mr. Hartwell -- F-M Meteorology

Hydrologic CycleCarbon Dioxide Cycle

Atmosphere & Cycles• Weather involves water in the

atmosphere (hydrologic cycle).

• Climate also involves trace atmospheric gases (carbon-dioxide cycle)

Trace Gases• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• Water vapor (H20)

• Ozone (O3)

• Methane (CH4)• CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)

• Modify energy balance in atmosphere

Sinks vs. Sources• Cycles involve storage and release of

gases in the atmosphere.

• Source—supplies / releases gases to atmos.

• Sinks—remove / store gas from atmos.

Carbon Cycle

Hyrdologic Cycle

Hydrologic Cycle• Water plays a major role in climate &

weather.

• A change in one component causes change in weather.

• EX: Less cloud cover more sun hitting ground warms ground & atmos.

Mr. Hartwell -- F-M Meteorology

Time ZonesUTC/GMT/ZMilitary TimeInt. Date Line

Time Zones• Earth has _____ time zones.

• 24—One for each of the 24 hours it takes for Earth to rotate on its axis.

• TZ—used to coordinate global weather observations.

• Coordinating times is CONFUSING!

UTC• UTC = Coordinated Universal Time

(Universel Temps Coordonne)

• UTC = GMT (Greenwich Meridian Time; Greenwich, England)

• Z = Zulu (UTC without the last 2 zeros)

Military Time• UTC observations recorded in military

time.• 24 hour clock• Examples:

12 midnight = 000012:30 am = 00301:00am12:59pm is “normal”1:00pm = 1:00 + 1200 = 13004:30pm = __________ = _______

US Time zones• Eastern (New York, Florida)=

-5 GMT standard time-6 GMT Daylight Savings Time

EST = Eastern Standard TimeEDT = Eastern Daylight Time

Daylight Savings Time• Advanced time so afternoons

are longer• Widespread use in 1916 to

conserve wartime coal use

Daylight Savings Time• Advanced time so afternoons

are longer• Widespread use in 1916 to

conserve wartime coal use• Complicates weather

observation

US Time zones• Eastern (New York, Florida)= 0 (-5 GMT)• Central (Illinois, Louisiana)= -1 hour from

Eastern time• Western (Utah, New Mexico)= -2• Pacific (Oregon, California)= -3• Alaska= -4• Hawaii= -6 hours from Eastern time

International Date Line• 180o longitude• Halfway around world from Greenwich,

England• 24 hour difference on one side vs. other• East = backward 1 day• West = forward 1 day

• EX: Australia is on tomorrow’s date

Time Zones 2

Try this in your logbook:• If there are 24 time zones on

Earth, how many degrees make up each time zone? Think about it quietly, then we will share with the class.

Time Zones 3

• T. Zones are roughly parallel to lines of longitude.

• They are adjusted to local areas. WHY?

• So 1 major city or other population center does not have 2 different times.

Mr. Hartwell -- F-M Meteorology

Meteorological OrganizationsTypes of Meteorologists

Public Organizations (Government)

• NOAA—National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration

• NWS—National Weather Service• NCDC—National Climatic Data Center

NOAA

• Conducts ocean & atmosphere research

• Environmental outreach• Regulates use of resources (ie:

fisheries)

NWS

• Collects / collates weather observations• Uses computer models• Issues alerts

– Severe weather– Flooding– Tsunamis

• Weather safety

Private Organizations• AMS—American Meteorological Society• WMO—World Meteorological Society• NASCAS—National Association of

Storm Chasers And Spotters

AMS

• Development & dissemination of education & information

• Atmospheric, oceanic, hydrologic sciences

• For enthusiasts & academics

WMO

• Agency of the United Nations• Authoritative voice on state & behavior

of the Earth’s…– Atmosphere– Interaction with ocean– Climate

NASCAS

• World’s first professional storm chasing organization

• Provide accurate safety & educational information

• Safety & responsibility• FREE MEMBERSHIP!www.chasingstorms.com

Types of Meteorologists

1) TV meteorologists2) Weather forecasters3) Consulting meteorologists4) Climatologists

TV Meteorologists

• Presents the weather information and forecasts to many people by television

• B.S. or M.S. in meteorology • Member of the American Meteorological

Society. • Courses in meteorology involve

mathematics and physics. • Produce interesting graphics.

Weather Forecasters

• Analyze data and produce forecasts for TV Meteorologists, the National Weather Service, or other customers.

• Takes data from local weather sites, balloon launched instruments, RADAR/ satellites

• Ph.D. in meteorology or atmospheric science

Consulting Meteorologist

• Testify in court• Paid to provide advice on weather • B.S. or M.S. in meteorology, and may find

a Ph.D. helpful

Climatologist

• Collect weather records and produce summaries of the records

• i.e.: next season's rainfall or temperature• Most states have a State Climatologist • Members of college or university faculties

and do research