Download Meteorology_Climate Change_NCFE_Review

Meteorology and Climate Change
EEn. 2.5.1
Summarize the structure and composition of our atmosphere
• ATMOSPHERE - layer of gases and tiny
particles surrounding the earth
Composition of Atmosphere
Elements:
– NITROGEN (N2)
– OXYGEN (O2)
– ARGON (Ar)
• Compounds:
– CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
– WATER (H2O)
– OZONE (O3)
• absorbs harmful UV RAYS
(ultraviolet)
Atmospheric Layering is caused by TEMPERATURE differences
.
Atmospheric Layers
(1) TROPOSPHERE
• Closest to earth
• Holds the most CO2
and H2O vapor
• All WEATHER changes
happen here
• Temperature ↓ as
altitude increases.
– Why? FARTHER FROM
THE HEAT ABSORBED
BY EARTH
2) STRATOSPHERE
• From tropopause to
50km in altitude
• Includes the OZONE
LAYER (O3)
• Temperature ↑ as
altitude increases.
– Why? CLOSER TO O3
LAYER WHICH ABSORBS
UV LIGHT & HEAT
3) MESOSPHERE
• From stratopause to
80km in altitude
• Coldest layer
• Temperature ↓ as
altitude increases.
– Why? FARTHER
FROM O3 LAYER
(4) THERMOSPHERE
• From mesopause to
outer space
• Temperature ↑as
altitude increases.
– Why? OXYGEN AND
NITROGEN ABSORB
SHORT-WAVE, HIGHENERGY SOLAR
RADIATION
EEn. 2.5.2
Explain the formation of typical air masses and the weather systems
that result from air mass interactions.
• Most common features on any weather
map & weather generalizations can be
made using pressure centers
• Winds are influenced by temperature
gradients, pressure gradients, and the
Coriolis effect
– Winds blow from high pressure to low pressure
– The larger the pressure difference, the faster the
wind speed
– Coriolis effect influences only the direction of wind
• What goes in, must come out!!!!
• When there is a converging air mass at the
surface, it must be balanced by outflow
• - a surface CONVERGENCE can be maintained if
a DIVERGENCE occurs above the low at the
same rate as the inflow below and vice versa.
Air spreads out (diverges)
above
surface cyclones and comes
together (converges) above
surface anticyclones
AIR MASSES
• an immense body of air that is characterized by
similar temperature and moisture
• can be 1,600 km or more across… take several
days to move over an area
• When an air mass moves out of the region over
which it formed, it carries its temp & moisture
• - The characteristics of an air mass change as it
moves and so does the weather in that area
• - Air masses are classified according to the
surface over which they form
Air Mass
Temp and Moisture
Location
Maritime Polar
Cold, wet
NW, NE coastlines
Maritime Tropical
Warm, wet
SW, SE coastlines, Gulf of Mexico
Continental Polar
Cold, dry
Canada, Upper Midwest
Continental Tropical
Warm, dry
SW U.S., Mexico
Fronts
• Front: narrow region separating 2 air
masses of different densities____
• Air masses collide forming _fronts_.
• Fronts can cause dramatic __changes__
in weather.
• In all fronts, warm air is forced upward
• 4 Types: _cold , __warm__,
___stationary__, and __occluded___
Cold Front
SYMBOL:
• Cold, dense air displaces ___warm___ air, forcing the
warm air _up__ along a steep front.
• Warm air _rises _, cools, and _condenses_
• Forms __clouds__, __showers__, and sometimes
__thunderstorms_____
• Fast temperature change: air gets colder.
• Advance more ___rapidly___ than a warm front.
WARM FRONT
SYMBOL:
• Advancing _warm___ air displaces
__cold___ air, and the warm air rises above
the cold air.
• Extensive _cloudiness__ and
___precipitation____
• Slow temperature change: air gets warmer.
Stationary Front
• Warm and Cold air
meet, but neither
moves into the
other’s territory,
which __stalls__ the
front.
• They stall because
the
___temperature__
and __pressure___
gradients are small.
SYMBOL:
• A cold air mass
moves so rapidly
that it __overtakes
a warm front____.
• The cold air masses
collide, pushing the
warm air
___upward____.
• Causes
precipitation on
both sides of the
front_______.
SYMBOL:
Occluded Front
Occluded Front
EEn. 2.5.3
Explain how cyclonic storms form based on the interaction of air masses
• Thunderstorms:
Form when warm
humid air rises in
an unstable
environment
– generate lightning and
thunder and frequently
produces gusty winds,
heavy rain & hail
•Strong updrafts
•Supply moist air
•Cloud grows vertically
•Amount of precipitation is
too great for updrafts to
support
•Heavy precipitation
•Gust winds, lightning
•Downdrafts dominate
through the cloud
•Cooling effect of falling
rain and the flowing of
colder air from high above
calms the storm
Tornadoes
• Violent windstorms that take the form of a rotating
column of air called a vortex that extends
downward from a
cumulonimbus cloud.
Hurricanes
• Whirling tropical cyclones that produce winds of
at least 119 Km/hr
• Cause high winds, huge waves, and extensive
flooding hundreds of miles away
• Growing threat- >50% of the US population lives
within 75 km of the coast.
• The north pacific has the greatest number of
storms (~20 per year)
• In the Northwest Pacific - called a “typhoon” and
“cyclones” occur in the South Pacific and Indian
Ocean
Hurricane Development
• Late summer when temps are warm enough to
provide heat and moisture the air
• Begins as a tropical disturbance- disorganized
clouds & thunderstorms w/ low pressure
• Inward rush of warm moist air moves towards the
center
• Air turns upwards and rises in a cumulonimbus
cloud (eye wall)
– eye wall has the greatest wind speeds & heaviest rain
• Rising air is carried away from the storm
center- provides room for more inward flow
• At the very center of storm is the eye
– zone where precipitation ceases and winds
subside.
– air gradually descends in the eye and compressedwarmest part of the storm
EEn. 2.5.4
Predict the weather using available weather maps and data
• Humidity = AMOUNT OF WATER VAPOR IN AIR
– SATURATED = air contains all of the water vapor it
can hold.
– When saturated, WARM air can hold more water
vapor than COLD air.
– Measuring Devices: HYGROMETER or
PSYCHROMETER
• Differences in wet bulb and dry bulb thermometers
determine relative humidity
Calculating Relative Humidity
• Specific Humidity = ACTUAL amount of moisture in
the air. (Grams H2O / kg air)
• Relative Humidity = percent mass of water vapor
compared to mass water vapor at saturation.
Ex: At 200 C, air contains 14.3g H2O / m3 air.
Saturation point: 17.1 g/m3
– Specific Humidity: 14.3 g/m3
– Relative Humidity: 14.3 g/m3 = 84% Relative Humidity
17.1 g/m3
• Dew Point = TEMPERATURE to which the air
must be cooled to reach saturation.
• Depends on Relative Humidity.
• When temp. is below Dew Point:
CONDENSATION (dew) or DEPOSITION (frost)
occur
• Cloud Formation = from CONDENSATION of
water vapor over a large area of air.
Types of Precipitation
• ***The type of precipitation that reaches
Earth’s surface is determined by the
temperatures in the lowest few kilometers of
the atmosphere.
• Rain & Snow
• Sleet = small particles of clear-to-translucent
ice.
• Glaze = A.K.A. “FREEZING RAIN” – rain is
supercooled (below 0°C) & become ice
when they impact frozen objects.
• Hail = small ice pellets grow as they impact
supercooled water droplets as they fall
through a cloud. UPDRAFTS push them
back up, so they can gain new ice layers.
The Weather Station Model
Draw a Station Model
Get accompanying notes here
©Steve Kluge 2007 Some images from the NYSED Earth Science Reference Tables
EEn. 2.5.5
Explain how human activities affect air quality
Acid Rain Formation
• The main causes of acid
rain are process that
release SO2 and oxides of
nitrogen into the
atmosphere.
– burning of fossil fuels,
such as coal and gas, by
power stations
– combustion in car
engines.
Problems caused by acid rain include:
• Damage to plant leaves, eventually killing the plants. Whole forests
of pine trees have been destroyed by acid rain
• Acidification of lakes: as the water become more acidic, some
animals such as fish cannot survive and fish stocks are destroyed.
• Increased risk of asthma attacks and bronchitis in humans.
• Corrosion of stonework on buildings.
• Release into soil of soluble aluminium ions that are toxic to fish
when washed into lakes.
Ozone Depletion
 Ozone- molecule consisting of 3 oxygen atoms
Benefit to humans because it
absorbs harmful UV radiation
OZONE DEPLETION
• Hole in the ozone layer is caused
by CFCs, Halons, and Methyl
Bromides
– found in aerosols,
refrigerators/coolants, fire
extinguishers, and certain
pesticides
• CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT THE
SAME THING AS THE OZONE
HOLE
– GREENHOUSE GASES AND/OR
CARBON DIOXIDE HAVE NOTHING
TO DO WITH THE HOLE IN THE
OZONE LAYER!!!
How ozone is destroyed by CFCs
Effects of Ozone Depletion
• Humans
– Increased incidences of skin cancer and cataracts
• Plants
– Growth rate of plants can be slowed
• Marine Ecosystems
– Changes in UV levels can affect the development
and growth of phytoplankton
Human Impact on Atmosphere
• Burning of Fossil Fuels
– Combustion from industry and transportation add
excess greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
• Deforestation
– Clear-cutting forests for space and resources leads to
less carbon dioxide being absorbed from the
atmosphere by trees
• Over-farming
–
–
–
–
Burning fossil fuels to produce fertilizers
Methane production from livestock
Burning fossils fuels in farming vehicles
Deforestation to make room for crop fields
EEn. 2.6.1
Differentiate between weather and climate
• WEATHER - general atmospheric conditions at
a particular time and place
• CLIMATE - general weather conditions over
many years
EEn. 2.6.2
Explain changes in global climate due to natural processes
Causes of Climate
Change
Volcanic
eruptions
Description of what it is
Explanation of how it impacts climate
(What SCIENTISTS say)
When volcanoes erupt, they release
dissolved gases (like carbon dioxide, water
Adds to the build-up of Greenhouse Gases
vapor and sulfur dioxide) into the
atmosphere
Sunspots
More emitted radiation and increased
temperatures are found around sunspots
More sunspots will increase the amount of
heat that stays within the atmosphere.
Earth’s orbit
There is variation in Earth’s tilt which
affects the amount of solar radiation
received.
Depending on the season, more or less
energy is received from the sun.
Carbon Dioxide
fluctuations
As heat is reflected back out into space,
Heat is retained in the atmosphere (not
carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbs some of the radiated back into space) causing the global
heat.
temperature to rise.
EEn. 2.6.3
Analyze the impacts the human activities have on global climate change
Climate
Change
• The term "heat island"
describes built up areas that
are hotter than nearby rural
areas.
• The annual mean air
temperature of a city with 1
million people or more can be
1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer
than its surroundings.
• In the evening, the difference
can be as high as 22°F (12°C).
• Heat islands can affect
communities by increasing
summertime peak energy
demand, air conditioning
costs, air pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions,
heat-related illness and
mortality, and water quality.
Heat Islands
EEn. 2.6.4
Attribute changes to Earth’s systems to global climate change
• Analyze how changes in global temperatures affect the
biosphere (ex. agriculture, species diversity, ecosystem
balance).
• Explain how changes in atmospheric composition
contribute to ocean acidification. Analyze its effect on
ocean life and its connection to global climate change.
• Explain how changes in global temperature have and
will impact sea level.
• Analyze how sea level has been affected by other earth
processes such as glaciations and tectonic movements.
Consider long- and short-term changes.
Effects of Climate Change
Link: The Nature Conservancy
1. HIGHER
TEMPERATURES
The five hottest years on record have all
occurred since 1997.
2. CHANGING LANDSCAPES
Changing patterns of rain and snow are
forcing trees and plants around the world
to move toward polar regions and up
mountain slopes
Effects of Climate Change
3. WILDLIFE AT RISK
Rising temperatures are changing
weather and vegetative patterns across
the globe, forcing animal species to
migrate to new, cooler areas in order to
survive.
4. RISING
SEAS
Experts predict
that 1/4 of Earth’s
species will be
headed for
extinction by 2050
Sea level rise from climate
change could displace tens
of millions of people.
Sea levels could continue
to rise between 4 inches
and 36 inches over the
next 100 years.
Effects of Climate Change
5. INCREASED RISK OF DROUGHT,
FIRE & FLOODS
Massive land erosion is one result of
overgrazing & drought in Kenya
6. STRONGER STORMS &
HURRICANES
Hurricanes and tropical
storms to become more
intense — lasting longer,
unleashing stronger winds,
and causing more damage to
coastal ecosystems
Effects of Climate Change
7. MORE HEAT RELATED ILLNESS
& DISEASE
As temperatures rise, so do the risks of heatrelated illness and even death for the most
vulnerable human populations. Increase the
spread of infectious diseases.
8. ECONOMIC LOSSES
Climate change could cost between 5 and 20
percent of the annual global gross domestic
product. Declining crop yields could put
hundreds of thousands of people at risk for
starvation.
Effects of Climate Change
9. OCEAN
ACIDIFICATION
As temperatures rise, so does the amount
of carbon dioxide in the ocean causing
acidic water.
10. EL NINO & LA NINA
Weather patterns in the Pacific Ocean
change causing an increased frequency of
bad weather events to occur around the
world.
Normal Ocean Water
NORMAL
• Strong Trade
winds towards the
western pacific
• Warm water off
Australia
• Cool waters off the
coast of South
America.
• UPWELLING
El Nino
EL NINO
•Weaker trade winds in
the pacific ocean
•Warm water off
Australia moves
towards South America
•Cool waters off the
coast of South America
begin to warm.
•More evaporation off
of S.A. leading to more
precipitation  floods
•Reduced upwelling
La Nina
LA NINA
•STRONG trade
winds in the pacific
ocean force warm
water back to
Australia
• COLD waters off
the coast of South
America return.
• STRONG upwelling