Atmospheric Science and Forecasting Techniques
By Tiffany Means, About.com Guide
Air Masses and Fronts
An air mass will usually remain fairly uniform while it travels across an area and bring with it the weather from its source location. Often, when air masses collide, frontal boundaries are created which create many of the severe weather systems we encounter.
Air Pressure
Air pressure will often indicate coming weather conditions by signaling when a low or high pressure system is moving through an area. Here, the instruments and techniques used in forecasting are discussed so you can learn to understand the types of weather a low or high pressure system will bring.
- How Do Barometers Work?
- Measuring Air Pressure on a Map
- Isobars - What Is an Isobar?
- The 7 Types of Weather in a High Pressure System
- The Relationship Between Wind and Air Pressure
Climate
Understanding climate is essential for a multitude of reasons. For instance, climatologists need to understand past weather in order to develop accurate diagrams and data about climate change. Even a local gardener or farmer must understand climate zones and regional climate. In yet another example, global warming data is collected by gathering climate variables over time.
Clouds
Clouds are familiar to all of us. We look up into the sky and often dream of the funny shapes clouds can seem to take on. We know dark clouds bring storms and clear skies are a sign of good weather, but what about the different types of clouds? There is more to discovering clouds than you thought! Explore cloud formations and discover how to make your own clouds in this guided lesson.
- Cloud Identification 101
- How Do Clouds Form?
- What Is Fog?
- Cloud Symbols on a Weather Station Model
- Images of Clouds
- Cloud Folklore
- Make Your Own Clouds
- Weather Map Symbols for Clouds
- Overcast Skies
- How To Watch Clouds Form
- Cloud Shadows
Instruments and Tools
From weather satellites to Doppler Radar, you can learn all the details on the instruments a meteorologist uses for forecasting the weather.
The Ozone Layer
Check the problems with ozone as you read how to protect this precious resource. Although problems with ozone have appeared to improve in the last several years, we are not out of the danger zone yet. Learn what you can do to help and learn the current status of the ozone hole over the Antarctic.
Precipitation
We all know about rain, snow, sleet, and hail, but there is so much more to precipitation than just the liquids and solids we see falling from the sky. Find information on the latest developments in precipitation forecasting including links to severe storm information.
- Freezing Rain
- Types of Winter Snow Storms
- Hail - How Does Hail Form?
- Understanding a Percent Chance of Rain
Temperature
Whether it is warm or cool, hot or cold, the temperature is usually the first aspect of weather we prepare for in a day. Just getting dressed in the morning will usually involve a check of your local weather channel. Temperatures can actually be dangerous. With extreme heat and cold, lives can be at stake. Here, learn how to read thermometers, temperature maps, and heat index charts to explore this exciting meteorology topic.
- Temperature Records
- The Heat Index
- Temperature Folklore
- Weather Calculators for Converting Temperatures
- Global Warming and Temperature Graphs
- Profiles: Anders Celsius & Gabriel Fahrenheit
- Dewpoint Temperature
United States Weather
Get your local weather reports in your area or any area in the US. Also included are links to large government weather statistics for the United States.
Wind
Why does the wind blow? Well, that question is one any age person can explore. From an advanced video tutorial on the Coriolis Effect to wind diagrams and anemometers, you will find the explanations you need to answer this age-old question.
Worldwide Weather
Perhaps you are going on a vacation and want to check the weather. Or perhaps you simply want to see if you will need an umbrella or jacket for the day. Either way, knowing the weather as it happens is important to most people. You can get your local forecasts as well as weather from around the world right here. Included are several ways to add weather to your desktop and to your own website so you will always know what is happening in the skies.