Weather & Climate and their Associated Hazards Part One

Major Climate Controls

Structure of the atmosphere - The Atmosphere is divided into layers according to major changes in temperature. Gravity pushes the layers of air down on the earth's surface. This push is called air pressure. 99% of the total mass of the atmosphere is below 32 kilometers. These layers can be remembered by the phrase T SMall TeaM - Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere and Magnetosphere. Take an index card and write three facts on each sphere.

Atmospheric Heat Budget - admittedly it looks like a very young kids website, but a very good summary is shown here. Once again draw the model and add three facts to your next index card.

General Atmospheric Circulation - Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means (together with the smaller ocean circulation) by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth. There are four cell models to remember - one helps to explain El Nino (the Christ Child).

Planetary Surface Winds - what is worse than farting in a lift - here is an animation that explains it better than I can.

Ocean Circulation - If the Earth was a house, the sun and the winds are like the hot air fans of the central heating system, but the oceans are like the radiators or the storage heaters. Here is a summary with a diagram of the ocean currents.

Altitude - as in the vertical height or elevation above or below sea level. But it does affect the weather, once again read through the article and and make notes.

What is the difference between climate and weather?
The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time. (article found here).

Climate of Britain

Basic Climate Characteristics of the British Isles A quick glance if you can't be bothered can be found here or here. But for an in depth guide, have a look here.

The climate of Great Britain is temperate and equitable. The prevailing winds are south- westerly and the climate is largely determined by that of the eastern Atlantic, although during the winter months easterly winds may bring a cold, dry, continental type of weather. The average range of temperature between winter and summer varies from 7' to 12'C, being highest inland in the eastern part of England.
During a normal summer the temperature occasionally rises above 27'C; winter temperatures
below -7'C are rare. Sunshine decreases from north to south. The average summer (April -
September) potential evapotranspiration ranges from about 230mm in the Scottish highlands to
500mm in East Anglia.
The average annual rainfall over Great Britain is about 1,080 mm, ranging from over 4,000 mm in
a few points in the hills of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland to 500 mm in parts of East
Anglia. (Source)

Bored - have a look here

Air Masses that affect the British Isles

Origin and nature of depressions

Origin and nature of anticyclones

Storm Events