Investigation 1: Surface and Upper-Air Weather
- Page ID
- 38596
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The weather is a constant force that shapes our daily lives in numerous ways. Every morning, you check your phone's weather app to determine what clothes you'll wear today. Do you need a jacket, or is it too warm for it? What about your plans for the day? Do you need a rain check? A sudden downpour may ruin a beautifully planned outdoor wedding or throw a wrench into your estimated commute time. It’s no surprise, then, that it remains one of the most common topics for small talk. Have you ever found yourself in an elevator with someone you don't know? You probably smiled and then said something like... "It's hot today, isn't it?" and got a reply saying, "Yeah, it's unbearable! I hear it'll cool down in a couple of days." Discussing the weather is a universal icebreaker—a neutral subject that fosters casual conversation between strangers, colleagues, and friends alike. Some people like particular kinds of weather, like thunderstorms or snow, while others swear they hate all types of weather (Figure 1.1). So, which one are you?
Figure 1.1: A cartoon showing how some people complain about all types of weather, while others enjoy it. (CC BY-NC 4.0; Jono Hey via sketchplanations)
In this investigation, we will explore the fundamentals of weather. We will learn about various weather variables and how to read and interpret weather maps. We will explore the difference between the weather that we experience at the Earth's surface and what is happening at higher altitudes in our atmosphere. Here are the learning objectives for this Investigation.
By the end of this investigation, you should be able to:
- Explain how weather conditions vary depending on location and time of day.
- Identify surface weather conditions on a weather map using station models
- Analyze upper-air weather data, and compare data collected from a weather balloon launch to the U.S. Standard Atmosphere.
- 1.1: What is Weather?
- We explore the differences between weather and climate, noting that weather varies by location and time, with significant variation even over short distances, as exemplified by the San Francisco Bay Area. Observations from San Jose International Airport are used to demonstrate daily changes in temperature, humidity, and dew point.
- 1.2: Weather Maps and the Station Model
- We introduce the role of weather maps and the "Station Model" in representing weather data more precisely. We learn how to read wind speed, air pressure, and other components, gaining insight into effectively interpreting weather information. The importance of converting air pressure readings to standard formats is also explained, ensuring readers understand the analysis of weather conditions.
- 1.3: Precipitation on a map
- We examine the importance of Doppler weather radars in detecting and analyzing precipitation over extensive areas. The radar emits energy pulses to identify the location, movement, and intensity of precipitation, which is then depicted on maps with color codes indicating levels of rainfall (blue/green for light, yellow for moderate, and orange/red for heavy).
- 1.4: The Vertical Atmosphere
- We explore the relationship between surface weather conditions and upper-air data in meteorology. We explore how atmospheric structure influences weather variations with altitude, detailing changes in temperature and pressure at various levels and the significance of atmospheric "pauses." The section underscores the importance of upper-air observations, which are conducted using weather balloons and radiosondes to collect and relay critical weather information.
- 1.5: Vertical Atmosphere data charts
- We learn about Stüve diagrams, which meteorologists use to analyze upper air temperatures from weather balloon soundings, plotted with temperature and pressure data. The U.S. Standard Atmosphere model is used for average atmospheric conditions at various altitudes. By comparing soundings from Tampa Bay with this model, atmospheric features like the tropopause and temperature variations can be evaluated.
- 1.6: Alternative Text Descriptions for Investigation 1
- This page provides detailed text descriptions of images and charts used in Investigation 1.
Thumbnail: A Launched Weather Balloon. Weather Balloon by Carla Thomas is in the Public Domain.