Keynote: Atmospheric Variables

Weather Variables

• Key Variables: Essential factors in predicting weather include:
  • Temperature:
    • Heat energy in the atmosphere at a specific location
    • Influences:
      • Solar Radiation
      • Angle of Insolation
      • Hours of Daylight
      • Atmospheric Reflection

Air Pressure

• Definition:
  • Force exerted on a unit area by air
  • Acts equally in all directions
• Air Composition:
  • Mixture of gases
  • Molecules are fast-moving and spread out
• Pressure Changes with Elevation:
  • Increases when elevation decreases
  • Decreases when elevation increases

Air Currents and Wind

• Air Currents:
  • Rising or sinking movement of air perpendicular to the ground
• Wind:
  • Horizontal movement of air parallel to the Earth's surface
  • Moves from high-pressure to low-pressure areas

Sea Breeze and Land Breeze

• Sea Breeze:
  • Occurs during the day
  • Land heats faster than water
  • Low-pressure zone over the land
  • Wind moves from high-pressure (sea) to low-pressure (land)
• Land Breeze:
  • Occurs during the night
  • Land cools faster while water retains heat
  • Low-pressure zone over the water
  • Wind moves from high-pressure (land) to low-pressure (sea)

Summary:

Understanding these atmospheric variables, such as temperature, air pressure, and wind patterns, is crucial for predicting weather patterns and understanding climatic conditions.