Investigation 3: Air Temperature
- Page ID
- 40376
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Air temperature is one of the most fundamental weather variables, influencing nearly every aspect of daily life. It dictates how we dress, the food we eat, and even shapes our moods and activities. But what is air temperature? We know temperature is a measure of how hot or cold an object is. Similarly, air temperature is a measure of how hot or cold the air around us is. While this explanation provides us with a basic understanding of temperature, it doesn't reveal what temperature really is. On a fundamental level, temperature is the measure of the average kinetic energy in the molecules of an object. Thus, when we talk about air temperature, we're talking about how energetic the air molecules are. Warm air molecules have more kinetic energy than cold air molecules. It's commonly measured using a thermometer (Figure 3.1), typically in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).
But beyond personal experience, air temperature has far-reaching implications. It plays a crucial role in agriculture, determining growing seasons and affecting crop yields. Extreme temperatures pose significant health risks—heatwaves can lead to heat exhaustion and dehydration, while cold spells increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Infrastructure is also influenced; temperature fluctuations can expand and contract materials, affecting roadways, buildings, and transportation systems. All these different weather phenomena occur because the Sun heats the Earth unevenly. Thus, Meteorologists study air temperature to predict weather patterns, monitor climate changes, and prepare for extreme events. As global temperatures rise due to climate change, understanding temperature trends becomes increasingly vital for adapting to environmental shifts and mitigating their impacts.
By the end of this investigation, you should be able to:
- Identify temperatures at any given location on a weather map.
- Identify types of advection at any given location using isotherms and wind barbs.
- Measure human comfort levels using temperature indices.
- 3.1: Measurements
- Essential guidelines for measuring air temperature are provided, including proper thermometer placement at 1.5-2 meters above ground, ensuring they are shaded from solar radiation, and using ventilated shelters to prevent heat buildup. The significance of these standards for accurate readings are highlighted.
- 3.2: Mapping
- Meteorologists use temperature maps to analyze national air temperature variations for weather predictions. We explain how data from weather stations is plotted to identify patterns and introduce isotherms, which connect points of equal temperature.
- 3.3: Advection
- Advection is defined as the horizontal transfer of substances due to fluid motion, particularly in meteorology. There are two types: warm air advection, which displaces cooler air, and cold air advection, where cooler air replaces warmer air. Tools like wind barbs and isotherms help identify the type of advection, while weather fronts illustrate temperature changes, with cold fronts delivering cooler air and warm fronts offering warmer air.
- 3.4: Applications
- The significance of air temperature and humidity in determining human comfort is evaluated, particularly in the context of energy forecasting through Heating and Cooling Degree Days (HDDs and CDDs). The influence of wind on perceived temperature, as measured by the Wind Chill Index, is examined, including the Wind Chill Temperature (WCT) and Heat Index Temperature (HIT).
- 3.5: Alternative Text Descriptions for Investigation 3
- This page provides detailed text descriptions of images and charts used in Investigation 3
Thumbnail: Temperature shown by a weather app. Temperature by Sam Adlington is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0