Meteorology

Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting. Meteorological phenomena are observable weather events which are explained by the science of meteorology. Meteorological phenomena are described and quantified by the variables of Earth's atmosphere: temperature, air pressure, water vapour, mass flow, and the variations and interactions of those variables, and how they change over time. Different spatial scales are studied to determine how systems on local, regional, and global levels impact weather and climatology.

History

Meteorology, climatology, atmospheric physics, and atmospheric chemistry are sub-disciplines of the atmospheric sciences. Meteorology and hydrology compose the interdisciplinary field of hydrometeorology. Interactions between Earth's atmosphere and the oceans are part of coupled ocean-atmosphere studies. Meteorology has application in many diverse fields such as the military, energy production, transport, agriculture, and construction.

Branches of meteorology

Meteorology is a branch of the atmospheric sciences which includes atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric physics, with a major focus on weather forecasting. The study of meteorology dates back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw modest progress in the field after weather observation networks were formed across broad regions. Prior attempts at prediction of weather depended on historical data. It was not until after the elucidation of the laws of physics and more particularly, the development of the computer, allowing for the automated solution of a great many equations that model the weather, in the latter half of the 20th century that significant breakthroughs in weather forecasting were achieved.

Meteorological phenomena

Meteorological phenomena are weather events which are explained by the science of meteorology. Meteorological phenomena are described and quantified by the variables of Earth's atmosphere: temperature, air pressure, water vapour, mass flow, and the variations and interactions of those variables, and how they change over time.

See also

• Atmospheric pressure
• Weather forecasting
• Climatology
• Hydrometeorology
• Atmospheric physics
• Atmospheric chemistry

References

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Meteorology

• Alpine Rainbow

• Golden Gate Bridge as seen at twilight from Baker Beach

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  Wea00920

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  Earth Global Circulation

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  Cloud types

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  Hyetographic or Rain Map of the World 1848 Alexander Keith Johnston

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  Hyetographic or Rain Map of Europe 1848 Alexander Keith Johnston

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  IBM 7090 console used by a meteorologist, 1965

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  Huracán Hugo

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  Surface analysis

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  Annual mean sea surface temperature (World Ocean Atlas 2009)

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  Day 5 pressure forecast