Geography

• Weather


  The state or condition of the atmosphere in a particular area at a given time

  
• Climate


  The average condition of the elements of weather over a long period of time, usually 30 to 40 years

  
• Meteorology


  The study of the weather and the atmosphere
• Meteorologist


  A person who studies the weather
• Weather forecasting


  The process in which meteorologists use different tools and observation practices to predict the weather within a particular area
• Elements of Weather


  • Sunshine
  • Cloud cover
  • Precipitation (rainfall, snow, etc.)
  • Wind speed and wind direction
  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Air pressure/atmospheric pressure

  
• Sunshine


  Instrument Used: Campbell Stoke Sunshine Recorder, Unit of Measurement: Hours per day
• Cloud Cover


  Instrument Used: Observation (Eyes) by looking up at the clouds, Unit of Measurement: Oktas

  
• Types of Clouds
• Convectional Rainfall


  Rainfall that occurs when the sun heats the Earth's surface, causing air to rise and cool, forming clouds that release precipitation
• Convectional Rainfall


  • Often results in short, intense bursts of rainfall
  • Common in equatorial regions with high temperatures and humidity
• Convectional Rainfall


  • Tropical rainforests, such as the Amazon Basin and parts of Southeast Asia
• Orographic Rainfall


  Rainfall that occurs when moist air is forced to rise over elevated terrain, such as mountains, leading to precipitation on the windward side
• Orographic Rainfall


  • Rainfall is highest on the windward side of the mountain
  • Leeward side experiences a rain shadow effect, receiving less rainfall
• Orographic Rainfall


  • Coastal regions with mountain ranges, such as the western coast of North and South America
• Frontal Rainfall


  Rainfall that occurs when two air masses with different temperatures and humidity levels meet, and the warmer, less dense air mass is forced to rise over the cooler, denser air mass, leading to cloud formation and precipitation
• Frontal Rainfall


  • Rainfall is often widespread and prolonged
  • Can occur in association with low-pressure systems and weather fronts
• Frontal Rainfall


  • Mid-latitude regions experiencing cyclones and associated weather fronts, such as parts of Europe and North America
• Understanding the different types of rainfall is essential for predicting weather patterns, managing water resources, and studying climate variations
• Each type of rainfall has distinct characteristics and occurs under specific atmospheric conditions, shaping the climate and ecosystems of various regions around the world
• Convection rainfall


  Sun needs to shine on the ground and heat a layer of air close to Earth's surface. When the air close to the surface gets warm enough and warmer than the air above it, it begins to rise up into the atmosphere. The higher the air rises, the colder the atmosphere gets. At a certain level, the warm air will begin to cool and as a result, the water vapor in the air condenses, forms a cloud, and then we see rain.
• Convectional rainfall


  • On hot days, the warm air is able to move higher and faster into the atmosphere which sometimes can lead to the production of thunderstorms, which becomes more common as we head through the spring and summer months
  • It is also the trickiest type of rain to forecast because showers can be so spatially and temporally variable
• Orographic/relief rainfall


  Orographic rainfall is most commonly found in hilly regions and also explains why places in the west tend to be wetter. As the air reaches land - or mountains - it is forced to rise. This leads to the formation of clouds and then rainfall on the mountain but often leaves the lee side (downwind) dry. When that happens it is called the "rain shadow effect". This type of rain is experienced often along the western mountain ranges.
• Frontal rainfall


  Frontal rain occurs when colder air meets warmer air in a weather front. The warm air is then forced to rise over the cooler air leading to clouds and rain. This type of rainfall happens to affect big regions of the U.S. and tends to bring overcast skies and persistent rainfall.