Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate

Front Cover
Taylor & Francis, 2010 - Science - 516 pages

This book presents a comprehensive introduction to weather processes and climatic conditions around the world, their observed variability and changes, and projected future trends. Extensively revised and updated, this ninth edition retains its tried and tested structure while incorporating recent advances in the field. From clear explanations of the basic physical and chemical principles of the atmosphere, to descriptions of regional climates and their changes, the book presents a comprehensive coverage of global meteorology and climatology. In this new edition the latest scientific ideas are again expressed in a clear, non-mathematical matter.

New features include:

  • extended and updated treatment of atmospheric models
  • final chapter on climate variability and change has been completely rewritten to take account of the IPCC 2007 scientific assessment.
  • new four-colour text design featuring over 30 colour plates
  • over 360 diagrams have been redrawn in full colour to improve clarity and aid understanding.

Atmosphere, Weather and Climate continues to be an indispensable source for all those studying the earth's atmosphere and world climate, whether from environmental and earth sciences, geography, ecology, agriculture, hydrology, or related disciplinary perspectives. Its pedagogic value is enhanced by several features: learning points at the opening of each chapter and discussion topics at their ending, boxes on topical subjects and on twentieth century advances in the field.

From inside the book

Contents

Preface to the ninth edition ix
Snow and ice 466
B Solar energy 3
Climate response 440
Atmospheric composition mass and structure 13
Variations with latitude and season 20
B Mass of the atmosphere 30
Solar radiation and the global energy budget 40
The age of the air mass 233
Warm air masses 228
E Frontal characteristics 238
G Surfaceupperair relationships and the formation of frontal cyclones 247
Weather and climate in middle and high latitudes 269
Synoptic anomalies 278
The temperate west coast and cordillera 287
The subtropical margins 298

Effect of cloud cover 49
Effect of elevation and aspect 60
E Atmospheric energy and horizontal heat transport 69
Spatial pattern of the heat budget components 73
Moisture transport 82
E Precipitation characteristics and measurement 90
Drought 107
Atmospheric instability cloud formation and precipitation processes 109
Air stability and instability 114
E Formation of precipitation 124
Orographic precipitation 133
principles 145
Local winds 153
Planetaryscale motions in the atmosphere and ocean 163
Mean upperair patterns 166
Surface pressure conditions 173
Circulations in the vertical and horizontal planes 181
Ocean structure and circulation 193
The oceans and atmospheric regulation 202
B Model simulations 211
Longrange outlooks 219
High latitudes 311
Tropical weather and climate 326
Cyclones 335
The South Asian monsoon 344
Autumn 360
East Asian and Australian summer monsoons 361
F Amazonia 373
H Other sources of climatic variations in the tropics 383
Boundary layer climates 397
B Nonvegetated natural surfaces 399
Urban surfaces 410
Tropical urban climates 425
Climate change 432
The importance of framework 441
Understanding recent climatic change 452
F Projected change in other system components 464
Vegetation 470
Système International SI units 487
Polar lows 252
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