Introducing Meteorology A Guide to Weather

About this book

In many parts of the world the weather forms a daily topic of conversation, In others it hardly changes from one week to the next. However, human life is governed by the weather which affects much of our activity, from farming to fishing and from shopping to holiday-making. Introducing Meteorology has been written to provide a succinct overview of the science of the weather for students and for interested amateurs wanting a topical guide to this complex science. The initial chapters describe the development of the science, the atmosphere and the forces which govern the weather. The author then discusses weather influences at global and local scales before describing the science of weather forecasting. Copiously illustrated, Introducing Meteorology is intended for those whose interest in meteorology has been stimulated, perhaps by media coverage of dramatic weather events, and who want to know more. Technical terms are kept to a minimum and are explained in a glossary.

Contents

Preface

1. Watching the weather
2. From seaweed to supercomputers
3. The Weather Station
4. Gauging the Atmosphere
5. Anatomy of the Atmosphere
6. Water in the Atmosphere
7. It all starts with the Sun
8. Hot and Cold
9. The Atmosphere in Motion
10. Mid-Latitude Weather Systems
11. Weather in the Tropics
12. Convective Systems, Tornadoes and Thunderstorms
13. Local Weather Effects
14. Forecasting the Weather
15. The Forecaster's Challenge
16. The Changing Climate

Glossary
Further Reading

Customer Reviews

Biography

Dr Jon Shonk is a researcher in the Department of Meteorology at the university of Reading, one of the leading meteorology centres in the world.