HYDROLOGY AND WATER MANAGEMENT (CV 402)

Ch-2: Meteorology

ATMOSPHERE
(atmos), meaning 'vapour', and (sphaira), meaning 'sphere
It is a set of layers of gases surrounding a planet or other material body that is held in place by
the gravity of that body. An atmosphere is more likely to be retained if the gravity it is subject to
is high and the temperature of the atmosphere is low.
COMPOSITION OF ATMOSPHERE:
The atmosphere is composed of a mixture of several different gases in different amounts. The
permanent gases whose percentages do not change from day to day are nitrogen, oxygen and
argon. Nitrogen accounts for 78% of the atmosphere, oxygen 21% and argon 0.9%. Gases like
carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, methane, and ozone are trace gases that account for about a tenth
of one percent of the atmosphere. Water vapor is unique in that its concentration varies from 0-
4% of the atmosphere depending on where you are and what time of the day it is.

Course Instructor: Ms. Nadia Qamar 1

 HYDROLOGY AND WATER MANAGEMENT (CV 402)
Ch-2: Meteorology

SUNSHINE:
Direct sunlight unbroken by cloud, especially over a comparatively large area. It is the radiation
that the sun gives off. The warmth and light given by the sun's rays.
RADIATION:
Though the sun emits all of the different kinds of electromagnetic radiation, 99% of its rays are
in the form of visible light, ultraviolet rays, and infrared rays (also known as heat). Man-made
lamps can also emit UV radiation, and are often used for experimental purposes.
CONDUCTION:
The transfer of energy, such as heat or an electric charge, through a substance. In heat
conduction, energy is transferred from molecule to molecule by direct contact; the molecules
themselves do not necessarily change position, but simply vibrate more or less quickly against
each other.
CONVECTION:
Convection is the heat transfer due to the bulk movement of molecules within fluids such as
gases and liquids, including molten rock. Convection includes sub-mechanisms of advection, and
diffusion.
DEW POINT:
dew point as the temperature to which air must be cooled to in order to reach saturation, water
droplets begin to condense and dew can form. Assuming air pressure and moisture content are
constant.

Course Instructor: Ms. Nadia Qamar 2

 HYDROLOGY AND WATER MANAGEMENT (CV 402)
Ch-2: Meteorology

HUMIDITY:
Humidity is a term used to describe the amount of water vapour present in air.
. Water vapor is the invisible presence of water in its gaseous state. Humidity is a significant
aspect of the atmosphere because it affects the weather and the climate.
TYPES OF HUMIDITY:
There are three main types of humidity:
1. Absolute humidity is the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere at a given temperature.
2. Relative humidity is a measure of the current humidity in relation to a given temperature.
3. Specific humidity is the ratio of the water vapor in the atmosphere to the air content on a
mass basis.

Course Instructor: Ms. Nadia Qamar 3

 HYDROLOGY AND WATER MANAGEMENT (CV 402)
Ch-2: Meteorology

Western Disturbance
A Western Disturbance is an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean region that
brings sudden winter rain to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent. It is a non-
monsoonal precipitation pattern driven by the westerlies.
Western Disturbances are important for the development of the Rabi crop.
MONSOON:
A monsoon is a seasonal shift in the prevailing wind direction that usually brings with it a
different kind of weather. It almost always refers to the Asian monsoon, a large region extending
from India to Southeast Asia where monsoon conditions prevail.
The term was first used in English in British India and neighboring countries to refer to the big
seasonal winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea in the southwest bringing
heavy rainfall to the area.
Measurement of air temperature:
Air consists of gas molecules, which are combinations of two or more atoms, the molecules are
constantly moving this way and that at very high speeds. As they move, they collide with one
another and with solid surfaces. The temperature of the air is a measure of how quickly the
molecules are moving. The more energy of motion the molecules have, the higher the
temperature you feel in the air.
Air temperature is measured with thermometers. Common thermometers consist of a glass rod
with a very thin tube in it. The tube contains a liquid, Sometimes the liquid is mercury, and
sometimes it is red-colored alcohol. As the temperature of the liquid in the bulb rises, the liquid
expands. As the liquid expands, it rises up in the tube. The tube is marked with a scale, in
degrees Fahrenheit or in degrees Celsius.
When you are measuring the air temperature, be sure to have the thermometer in the shade. If the
sun shines on the thermometer, it heats the liquid. Then the reading is higher than the true air
temperature.
Atmospheric pressure:
The pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere, which at sea level has a mean value of
101,325 pascals (14.6959 pounds per square inch).

Atmospheric pressure is measured with an instrument called a "barometer", that’s why

atmospheric pressure is also referred to as barometric pressure.

Course Instructor: Ms. Nadia Qamar 4

 HYDROLOGY AND WATER MANAGEMENT (CV 402)
Ch-2: Meteorology

Wind velocity and direction:

Wind speed and direction are important for monitoring and predicting weather patterns and
global climate. Wind speed and direction have numerous impacts on surface water. These
parameters affect rates of evaporation, mixing of surface waters, and the development of seiches
and storm surges. Each of these processes has dramatic effects on water quality and water level.
Wind speed is typically reported in miles per hour, knots, or meters per second. One mile per
hour is equal to 0.45 meters per second, and 0.87 knots.

Wind direction is typically reported in degrees, and describes the direction from which the wind
emanates. A direction of 0 degrees is due North on a compass and 180 degrees is due South. A
direction of 270 degrees would indicate a wind blowing in from the west.

Course Instructor: Ms. Nadia Qamar 5

 HYDROLOGY AND WATER MANAGEMENT (CV 402)
Ch-2: Meteorology

Differences between weather and climate systems:

BASIS FOR
WEATHER CLIMATE
COMPARISON

Meaning Weather is everyday atmospheric Climate alludes to standard

condition of a particular region, as pattern of weather of a particular
regards temperature, humidity, wind place, taken over more than 25
speed, etc. years.

What is it? Minute by minute state of atmosphere Average weather in a region.

in an area.

Represents What are the conditions of atmosphere In what way atmosphere acts over
in a geographical location, over short typically long period.
period?

Variation Varies constantly. Does not vary constantly.

Affected by Temperature, humidity, air pressure, Temperature and Precipitation.

cloudiness, precipitation etc.

Assessment For short term Over a long period

Course Instructor: Ms. Nadia Qamar 6

 HYDROLOGY AND WATER MANAGEMENT (CV 402)
Ch-2: Meteorology

LAYERS OF ATMOSPHERE:
The atmosphere has five different layers that are determined by the changes in temperature that
happen with increasing altitude.
Troposphere
Living at the surface of the Earth, we are usually only aware of the events happening in the
lowest layer, the troposphere, where all weather occurs. The base of this layer is warmer than its
top because the air is heated by the surface of the Earth, which absorbs the Sun’s energy.
Stratosphere
Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere where jet airplanes fly. Temperatures increase with
altitude because of increasing amounts of ozone. The ozone layer within the stratosphere absorbs
harmful ultraviolet rays of sunlight.
Mesosphere
As the mesosphere extends upward above the stratosphere, temperatures decrease. The coldest
parts of our atmosphere are located in this layer and can reach –90°C.
Thermosphere
In the fourth layer from Earth’s surface, the thermosphere, the air is thin, meaning that there are
far fewer air molecules. The thermosphere is very sensitive to solar activity and can heat up to
1,500°C or higher when the Sun is active making an aurora that lights up the night sky.
Astronauts orbiting Earth in the space station or space shuttle spend their time in this layer.
Exosphere
The upper layer of our atmosphere, where atoms and molecules escape into space, is called the
exosphere.

Course Instructor: Ms. Nadia Qamar 7