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meteorology today
AN INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER, CLIMATE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
AHRENS SECOND
J AC K S O N CANADIAN
J AC K S O N EDITION
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Meteorology Today
AN INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER, CLIMATE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Copyright 2016 Nelson Education Ltd. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content
may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
John E. Marriott/Getty Images
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Second Canadian Edition
Meteorology Today
AN INTRODUCTION TO WEATHER, CLIMATE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
C. Donald Ahrens
Emeritus, Modesto Junior College
Peter L. Jackson
University of Northern British Columbia
Christine E. J. Jackson
University of Northern British Columbia
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This is an electronic version of the print textbook. Due to electronic rights restrictions,
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from this title at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it. For valuable information
on pricing, previous editions, changes to current editions, and alternate formats, please visit
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Meteorology Today, Second Canadian Edition
by C. Donald Ahrens, Peter L. Jackson,
and Christine E.J. Jackson
Copyright © 2016, 2012 by Nelson All rights reserved. No part of Library and Archives Canada
Education Ltd. this work covered by the copyright Cataloguing in Publication
herein may be reproduced,
Adapted from Meteorology Today, transcribed, or used in any form Ahrens, C. Donald, author
Tenth Edition, by C. Donald Ahrens, or by any means—graphic,
published by Brooks/Cole, Cengage Meteorology today: an
electronic, or mechanical, including introduction to weather, climate,
Learning. Copyright © 2013 by photocopying, recording, taping,
Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. and the environment / C. Donald
Web distribution, or information Ahrens (Emeritus, Modesto Junior
Printed and bound in the United storage and retrieval systems— College), Peter L. Jackson (University
States of America without the written permission of of Northern British Columbia),
1 2 3 4 18 17 16 15 the publisher. Christine E.J. Jackson (University of
For permission to use material from Northern British Columbia).
For more information contact Nelson — Second Canadian edition.
Education Ltd., this text or product, submit
1120 Birchmount Road, Toronto, all requests online at Includes index.
Ontario, M1K 5G4. Or you can visit www.cengage.com/permissions. ISBN 978-0-17-653079-2 (bound)
our Internet site at Further questions about
http://www.nelson.com permissions can be emailed to 1. Meteorology—Textbooks.
permissionrequest@cengage.com 2. Meteorology—Canada—Textbooks.
Cognero and Full-Circle Assessment I. Jackson, Peter L. (Peter Lawrence),
are registered trademarks of Every effort has been made to 1960–, author II. Jackson, Christine E.
Madeira Station LLC. trace ownership of all copyrighted J., 1961–, author III. Title.
material and to secure permission
from copyright holders. In the event QC861.3.A47 2015 551.5
of any question arising as to the use C2015-903622-4
of any material, we will be pleased
to make the necessary corrections in ISBN-13: 978-0-17-653079-2
future printings. ISBN-10: 0-17-653079-7
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Brief Contents
Preface xvi
Visual Walkthrough xviii
Ancillaries xx
Chapter 0 Introduction 3
Chapter 2 Energy 31
Chapter 3 Temperature 61
Chapter 4 Humidity 95
Chapter 7 Precipitation 179
Chapter 14 Hurricanes 405
NEL v
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vi Brief Contents
Appendix G Tephigram A-17
Glossary G-1
Index I-1
NEL
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Contents
Preface xvi Radiation 40
Visual Walkthrough xviii Radiation and Temperature 41
Ancillaries xx Radiation of the Sun and Earth 41
FOCUS ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE 2.3
chapter 0 Wave Energy, Sunburns, and Ultraviolet Rays 42
chapter 2
Energy 31
Energy and Heat 32
Forms of Energy 33
FOCUS ON A SPECIAL TOPIC 2.1
Characteristics of the Sun 34
Sensible Heat 35
Latent Heat 36
altrendo nature/Getty Images
chapter 5
Condensation: Dew, Fog, and
Paul Madden/Getty Images
Clouds 121
The Formation of Dew and Frost 122
Condensation Nuclei 124
Haze 125
NEL
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Contents ix
Fog 125
Radiation Fog 126
Advection Fog 127
FOCUS ON AN OBSERVATION 5.1
Why Are Canada’s Coastal Regions So
Foggy? 129
FOCUS ON AN OBSERVATION 5.2
Why Are Headlands Usually Foggier
Than Beaches? 130
Upslope Fog 130
Mixing Fog 131
Evaporation Fog 131
Vladimir Kostka
FOCUS ON A SPECIAL TOPIC 5.3
Fog That Forms by Mixing 132
Foggy Weather 132
FOCUS ON Social and Economic Impacts 5.4
Fog Dispersal 134
FOCUS ON AN ADVANCED TOPIC 6.4
Clouds 135 The Tephigram 170
Classification Of Clouds 135
Changing Cloud Forms 173
Cloud Identification 136
Summary 175
Focus on an observation 5.5 Key Terms 175
Measuring Cloud Ceilings 144 Questions for Review 175
Weather Satellites 144 Questions for Thought 176
Focus on a special topic 5.6 Problems and Exercises 176
Satellites Do More Than Observe Online Resources 177
Clouds 149
chapter 7
Summary 149
Key Terms 150 Precipitation 179
Questions for Review 150
Precipitation Processes 180
Questions for Thought 151
Cloud Droplets Growth 180
Problems and Exercises 151
Collision and Coalescence Process 182
Online Resources 151
Ice-Crystal Process 184
Precipitation in Clouds 187
chapter 6 FOCUS ON A SPECIAL TOPIC 7.1
Stability and Cloud Development 153 Cloud Seeding and Precipitation 188
Precipitation Types 189
Atmospheric Stability 154 Rain 189
Determining Stability 156
FOCUS ON Social and Economic Impacts 7.2
A Stable Atmosphere 156
The Canadian Rockies Flood of June 2013 190
FOCUS ON AN OBSERVATION 6.1
The Radiosonde 157
Snow 191
FOCUS ON A SPECIAL TOPIC 7.3
FOCUS ON A SPECIAL TOPIC 6.2 Snowing When the Air Temperature Is Well
Subsidence Inversions—Put a Lid on It 159 above Freezing 193
An Unstable Atmosphere 159 Ice Pellets and Freezing Rain 195
A Conditionally Unstable Atmosphere 160
FOCUS ON Social and Economic Impacts 7.4
Causes of Instability 161
The Ice Storm of 1998 197
Cloud Development 164
Convection and Clouds 164 FOCUS ON Social and Economic Impacts 7.5
Topography and Clouds 168 Aircraft Icing 198
FOCUS ON AN OBSERVATION 6.3 Snow Grains and Snow Pellets 198
Determining Convective Cloud Bases 169 Hail 199
NEL
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x Contents
NEL
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Contents xi
NEL
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xii Contents
Key Terms 431
NEL
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Contents xiii
Chapter 15
Weather Forecasting 435
Skywatching 437
What Is a Meteorologist? 437
FOCUS ON AN OBSERVATION 15.1
Forecasting Temperature Advection by Watching
the Clouds 439
iStockphoto
Weather Information 441
Data Collection 441
Producing Forecasts 441
Distributing Forecasts 443
FOCUS ON AN OBSERVATION 16.1
Forecasting Tools 443
Precipitation Extremes 474
FOCUS ON A SPECIAL TOPIC 15.2
The Thickness Chart—A Forecasting Tool 446
Global Precipitation 475
Climatic Classification 479
Forecasting Methods 447 The Köppen System 479
Numerical Weather Prediction 447 Thornthwaite’s System 480
FOCUS ON A SPECIAL TOPIC 15.3 Climatic Regions in Canada 482
The Forecast Funnel 448 Global Climates 484
Forecast Problems and Solutions 449 Tropical Climates (A) 484
Other Forecasting Methods 452 Dry Climates (B) 488
FOCUS ON AN OBSERVATION 15.4
Temperate Climates (C) 490
TV Weathercasters—How Do They FOCUS ON AN OBSERVATION 16.2
Do It? 453 A Desert with Clouds and Drizzle 492
Worded Forecasts 455 Cold Climates (D) 495
Forecasts Types 455 FOCUS ON A SPECIAL TOPIC 16.3
Forecast Accuracy and Skill 456 Drought on the Canadian Prairies 496
FOCUS ON Social and Economic Impacts 15.5 Polar Climates (E) 498
Weather Prediction and the Marketplace 459 Highland Climates 500
Forecasting with Surface Charts 459 Summary 501
Determining Weather Systems Movement 459 Key Terms 501
A Forecast for Hamilton and Sault Ste. Marie 461 Questions for Review 501
A Forecasting Example 463 Questions for Thought 502
The 500 hPa Chart 464 Problems and Exercises 502
The Computer Prognosis 465 Online Resources 503
A Valid Forecast 467
Summary 467 Chapter 17
Key Terms 468
Questions for Review 468
Earth’s Changing Climate 505
Questions for Thought 469 Past Climates 507
Problems and Exercises 469 Reconstructing Past Climates 507
Online Resources 469 Prehistoric Climates 509
Climate During the Past 1000 Years 511
Chapter 16
FOCUS ON A SPECIAL TOPIC 17.1
Global Climate 471 The Ocean Conveyor Belt and Climate
Change 512
Climatic Controls 473
Global Temperatures 473
NEL
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
xiv Contents
NEL
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Contents xv
Appendix G
Appendix A
Tephigram A-17
Units, Conversions, Symbols, and
Equations A-1
Glossary G-1
Appendix B Index I-1
Weather Symbols and Cloud
Classification A-5
NEL
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Preface
About This Book incorporates several updates made in the recent U.S. 10th
and 11th editions. Content throughout the book was
Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate, streamlined and new scientific findings and data were
and the Environment, Second Canadian Edition, custom- incorporated. For example, Chapter 17 was updated to
izes C. Donald Ahrens’ classic U.S. textbook Meteorology include the latest climate change information from the
Today for Canadians. Meteorology Today is well known for Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. New sec-
making the key concepts in meteorology accessible, and tions were added to several chapters, such as sections on
the Canadian edition benefits from the solid foundation forecasting severe thunderstorms and hurricanes in
that Professor Ahrens refined over nearly three decades. It Chapters 13 and 14. Twelve new Weather Watch boxes
uses clear writing, tables, graphics, and illustrations com- were added on topics such as the polar vortex, the use of
bined with nontechnical explanations, and adds content, smartphones to collect weather data, and air quality in
practices, and examples useful for Canadian university Beijing.
and college students. This book is a comprehensive survey Some chapter content was reorganized. A new brief
of the atmosphere that emphasizes understanding pro- introductory chapter was written to help readers use the
cesses and the application of meteorological principles. textbook most effectively. It provides a concise rationale
Full-colour photographs and figures are used throughout for studying the atmosphere and a history of meteorology.
the book to clearly show concepts and engage the reader. It also explains how to use Earth Systems Guides and the
This book is organized into 19 core chapters plus a various textbook features that aid learning. The chapters
short introductory chapter intended to enhance reader were streamlined to clarify writing and to synthesize
awareness of strategies for learning from the text. The repeated information. For example, some information
core chapters are largely self-contained and organized so from Chapter 1 was relocated to later chapters; Chap-
that instructors can select whole or partial chapters to ters 2 and 3 were synthesized to reduce redundancy; and
tailor their use of the text to their course needs. The cov- detailed cloud classification material from Chapter 5 was
erage is broad but comprehensive, with enough material moved to Appendix B to improve readability.
for more than a single semester course. Additionally, each More than half the chapter opening stories were
chapter has features that engage students and enhance rewritten—several were given a Canadian twist. This
their comprehension of the content. Readers are also improves their linkage with chapter content and pro-
encouraged to extend their knowledge and are supported vides a broader understanding of the topics. The chapter-
in doing so through exposure to higher-level topics and opening format was changed to accommodate the
practical techniques for understanding weather. expanded opening vignettes and provide a more com-
plete roadmap of chapter content. The Earth Systems
Guide was moved to a regular spot on the first main
New in the Second Canadian page of each chapter, following the opening spread.
Edition The order of some chapters was changed to follow a
more logical sequence: the Weather Forecasting
Our goals in producing this book were to ensure the infor- chapter (15) was moved so it now appears after the chap-
mation is current, streamline the text without losing its ters on Thunderstorms and Tornadoes (13) and Hurri-
comprehensiveness, make it more readable, and increase canes (14); the chapter on Earth’s Changing Climate (17)
its learning value for Canadian readers. In the first Cana- was moved after the chapter on Global Climate (16).
dian edition, we adapted the 9th U.S. edition of Meteorology Each figure and photo was reviewed; more than 170
Today, creating a comprehensive text with information, were revised or replaced, and 10 new figures were added.
examples, and conventions that reflect how meteorology is The format of many tables was revised to improve read-
practised in Canada. More than 300 new or revised figures ability. The Glossary and inside back cover reference map
or photos were incorporated. Canadian contributors wrote were extensively revised, as were all Appendices. New
16 Canadian content Focus On sections, and an Earth Sys- Focus On sections were added: two new sections from the
tems Guide was developed. This guide contextualizes atmo- U.S. edition were adapted for this edition (on the forecast
spheric processes and phenomena within Earth’s systems funnel in Chapter 15, and on the combined effects of heat
through the use of graphical images and text. and poor air quality on health in Chapter 18), one new
Our second Canadian edition includes many updates Focus On section was written on water budgets in Chapter
unique to the Canadian edition and also 4, and four new Focus On sections by renowned
NEL
xvi
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Preface xvii
Canadian experts were added to complement the 16 of We have also been privileged to work with Nelson’s
these from the first edition. John Clague (Simon Fraser excellent team of professionals. Jackie Wood supervised
University) contributed a new Focus On section in the process. Our development editor, Suzanne Simpson
Chapter 16 on how climate change impacts natural disas- Millar, guided, encouraged, and accommodated us
ters; in Chapter 7, John Pomeroy (University of Saskatch- through a longer-than-expected writing process; for her
ewan) with Paul W hitfield and Ronald Stewart wrote a infinite patience we are forever grateful. Melody Tolson
Focus On section on the 2013 floods that affected southern ably researched many of the new pictures and sorted out
Alberta; Edward Wiebe and Andrew Weaver (University copyright permissions. Dawn Hunter’s sharp copy
of Victoria) added a Focus On section in Chapter 3 on a editing makes us look more literate than we actually are.
citizen-science network of personal weather stations at The design team created a modern look and managed
schools on Vancouver Island; and Jon Warland (Univer- production. Naman Mahisauria of MPS Limited super-
sity of Guelph) provided a new Focus On section, also in vised the team that masterfully produced the book.
Chapter 3, on human thermal comfort. Additionally, the input of multiple disciplinary spe-
cialists has been invaluable. Thanks to each of them:
Brad Snyder for providing advice on current practices
About the Authors and taking pictures of contemporary Meteorological
Service of Canada weather forecasting technology.
C. Donald Ahrens is emeritus professor at Modesto
Gerard Szejwach for suggestions on improving con-
Junior College and the award-winning author of several
fusing wording and correcting an error concerning
best-selling meteorology textbooks. The Textbook and Aca-
superior mirages. The 22 renowned experts listed alpha-
demic Authors Association awarded him its 2009 McGuffey
betically below, who contributed Focus On sections for
Longevity Award, and in 2007 the National Weather Asso-
topics of particular relevance to Canadians:
ciation awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr.
Ahrens’s books have influenced both meteorology profes- Dr. Yongsheng Chen Dr. John Pomeroy
sionals and hundreds of thousands of students who used his Dr. John Clague Clifford Raphael
books to expand their knowledge of weather and climate. Dr. Stephen Déry Dr. Gerhard Reuter
Dr. Chris Fogarty Dr. Ronald Stewart
Peter L. Jackson is a professor at the University of
Northern British Columbia. Before becoming an aca- Dr. William Gough Dr. Douw Steyn
demic, he was a meteorologist/weather forecaster with Dr. Ismail Gultepe Dr. Ian Strachan
Environment Canada. He teaches undergraduate and Patrick King Dr. James Voogt
graduate courses on weather and climate, storms, bio- Dr. René Laprise Dr. Jon Warland
meteorology, and air pollution, as well as research Claire Martin Dr. Andrew Weaver
methods. His research focuses on the interaction Dr. Ian McKendry Dr. Paul Whitfield
between the atmosphere and Earth’s surface in moun-
tains, as well as air quality. Dr. Ruping Mo Edward Wiebe
We also appreciated the invaluable advice, sugges-
Christine E. J. Jackson is a senior laboratory tions, and feedback from the reviewers of our first edition
instructor in the University of Northern British of this book. As colleagues who teach introductory mete-
Columbia’s Geography Program where she develops, orology courses at other Canadian universities, their
coordinates, and teaches experiential labs for introduc- comments have guided our modifications. Thank you,
tory weather, geomorphology, and soil science courses.
Phil Graniero, University of Windsor
She has worked in a wide variety of educational set-
tings—colleges, schools, museums, and community John Maclachlan, McMaster University
science and environmental literacy programs—and is Mark Moscicki, University of Windsor
interested in improving understanding of the natural Gerhard Reuter, University of Alberta
environment through applied learning. Ian B. Strachan, McGill University
Jon Warland, University of Guelph
John Yackel, University of Calgary
Acknowledgments Finally, on a personal note, we thank our family
Creating a textbook is a team effort. C. Donald Ahrens and friends for their patience and support as we were
provided the excellent student-centred material upon preoccupied with this project.
which the Canadian edition is based. His original work,
Meteorology Today, continues in its 11th U.S. edition, now Peter and Chris Jackson
with co-author Robert Henson. We have appreciated their
perspective as we revised the second Canadian edition.
NEL
Copyright 2016 Nelson Education Ltd. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content
may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
VISUAL WALKTHROUGH
50 CHAPTER 2
indicate the linkages between the chapter content and cryosphere anthrosphere
●● Focus on Social and Economic Impacts tices as deforestation. School of environmental Sciences,
University of Guelph (Look back at Figure 1.5 and Figure 1.6.) human body.radiation is absorb
However, people’s increasing
sensation of being hot,concentrations
cold, or com- of other greenhouse gases,
L↓ (gain of longwave
radiation)
L↑ (loss of longwave
next several sectio
Twenty-two renowned Canadian scientists were such asthismethane (CH ),
fortable is called their thermal comfort. though
nitrous oxide (N2O), and chlorofluo-
radiation)
faster the
concentrations
temperature between
exchange of
a tions in solar
of
energy between shade house
and
sun are the strongest drivers of thermal com-
full gases th
detailed information about specific sites than can activities, such as weather reporting on the daily
ments, sky colours and what they mean, and how to greenhouse B 5 M 1gases
be obtained from professional or 1
K* L↓ −affect
government Earth’s
Q − Q −announcements
h e L↑ −Q
G or climate
energy.
charting
greater
theexercises
greater the
thetemperature
system
windthey
where
exchange, hence
through
speed, too, the
the concept of wind
a series
fort. this fact can also be seen in other thereby
as when a herd of cows congregates in a shady
animals, keepin
operated weather stations, have eagerly taken
measure cloud ceilings. Look for these interesting sec- of interactions
advantage of thiswhere that
a positive value
new technology. are
of B indicates
personal
learn to keep track
discussed
that
and the amounts.
rainfall ●
of daily
chill, wheremore
Figurethe6 shows
sensation
changes
fullyof cold ain
an exam- Chapter
person expe- spot of a17.
pasture during hot summer days.otherwise wou
weather stationsperson is gaining
commonenergy,
in everyand a negative value riences is exaggerated by high winds. Metabolic production is also important,
tions that both break up and augment each chapter’s
are now town ple of the temperatures around Greater Victoria.
Cloudy, calm n
tK
indicates
and city and provide a loss
present andofhistorical
energy to the environment. evaporative loss of energy depends on how especially for people exercising. ● at rest or walk-
thanks to the cooling effect of a sea breeze,
researchers have found that, in general, moist the skin is, whether through sweat ● FIgURE 5 a weather
or rain station in the Vancouver
ing comfortably, most people Islandproduce around 50
therepeople
content.
observations online through personal
experiencing an energy
websites
or large undertakings, such as Weather Under- budget between
is a 13°c change in temperature over a dis- School-Based Weather
about
tance of only 30
or other sources, and the relative humidity of
km on this summer afternoon. of ray Watkins
Station
to 100
elementary
Wm
in
Network
Gold
−2
river,
mounted onheat.
of metabolic
British columbia.
because cloud
top however, a run-
−50 and 150 W m−2 report feeling thermally the air. the more humid the air is, the slower ner or a biker can easily reach over 500 W m−2
ground (www.wunderground.com/wundermap).
neutral:
the amateur weather not toohas
observer hot,never
not too
hadcold. From
the one-minute resolution data we collect
about to aboutevaporation
amounts
can occur and the less loss
two million observations per
of
of monthly of metabolic
average temperaturesheatconfirm
production! surface.
the Interesting,
it better! −50 to −150 W m−2 people report feeling
In 2001 we while below about −150 W m−2 people
day all cool,
of which
WEAThER WATCh
are
energy. this process is part of the concept
is stored in a database and
the humidex (discussed in chapter 4),ence where
of of thethough,
importance
the mal
is thatasaaperson’s
sea breeze
comfort changes
cooling perception
when
influ-
It is not the gre
of the ther-
● research-
exercising.
WEATHER WATCH These mini-boxes appear through- installed
cold. people
station on the building
to 150
an automatic
with a our
that housed
W m−2ofreport
weather
positive
climate
feeling
made available within a few minutes on the
budget ofInternet. sensation of heat can be exaggeratedVictoria.
about 50as of 2015, we
humidities.
have collected six billion
in summer in
by highas timeers
certain
goeshave
expect
parts
on,found
of
the project
to feel hot,and
Greater
that, because
will
the valuable enhancement o
people exercising
value of the energy budget
research lab at the University Victoria. We warm, and above continue to provide an interesting
out the book. They provide anecdotes, examples, or 150 W m
immediately developed
−2
peoplewhere
a website
hypothermia
reportthe
observations.
Talk about an enhanced greenhouse effect! The atmosphere of Venus,
feeling too really
Detailed analysis of the data has
hot. only just begun Longwave emissions from a person
but, as an example, maps
depend
resource
on the surface temperature of the clothing or the
at which
to people they report
on Vancouver Island.
higher values. In other words, a person As greenhouse
feeling too hot shifts to
● exercis-
observations, temperature, humidity,sets
windin when
speed the body’s core
unexpected weather facts related to the chapter topic which is mostly carbon dioxide, is considerably denser than that of
temperature
and direction, daily
tionradiation
drops bypressure,
rain, atmospheric
begins when
could the
2°c, while heat exhaus-
body’s and
core temperature
skin, if it is exposed. Generally, these emissions
do not vary much and, except in very particular
ing might● FIgURE
report feeling
−2
150 W min Greater
6 temperatures
, whileVictoria
a person
fromsitting
average surfac
neutral or comfortable at
the at a picnic
and are included to stimulate reader interest in the Earth. Consequently, the greenhouse effect on Venus is exceptionally
and incoming solar
viewed by anyone rises
with2°c.
be stored
a loss or gain
a connection to the 150 W m−2 for an
of Inter- circumstances, are not easily altered to affect would feel overly Island
Vancouver warmSchool-
through the en
with such an energy
thermal comfort.
strong, producing a surface air temperature of about 462°C.
average
net. Nearby weather person
stations weighing
operated 75 kg will lead to
by envi- budget. Based Weather Station
3
00
00
01
03
10
200 hPa
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
24
40
80
50
60
70
90
0
30
(11,784 m) 2
of life. 2200
18
20
●● Key terms are in bold. These are repeated in a Key 16 300 hPa
0
(9164 m)
–8
Terms list at the end of the chapter and are defined
14
12
10
10
0
–7
400 hPa
6
0
●● Brief Reviews summarize main points and are –4
–2
500 hPa
0
–6
(5574 m)
–1
Summaries at the end of each chapter review the
14
0
(4206 m)
●●
0
–5
–1
6
0.1
(3012 m)
–2
0
–2
0
800 hPa
●●
0
–4
(1949 m)
in assimilating content.
02
0.
900 hPa
–2
6 (988 m)
–2
8
24
30
28
32
36
20
20
18
16
14
3
0
6
7
10
8
9
10
12
0.5
1.5
0
2.5
–2
–1
students can easily find their way back to where
they were reading after viewing one of these items.
Active Figures have accompanying online support ●● A tear-out, laminated, colour Cloud Chart is
material that aid in understanding more com- intended for readers to use outside to learn
plex topics. cloud identification.
●● Appendixes provide meteorological charts, maps, ●● A Glossary defines key terms used throughout the book.
computational resources, and symbol legends that ●● A quick-reference map shows North American
support text activities and provide useful refer- physiographic features (water bodies, mountain
ence material. ranges, land surface cover), political boundaries, and
place names referred to in the text.
END-OF-CHAPTER MATERIAL
●● Summaries at the end of each chapter review the 19
main ideas. 5 18 7
53
lab activities: 23 7
7
13 7 7
39 7
30 28
50
3
Atlantic
Ocean
49
41
37 40
3
14
3
41
# Mountain ranges 38
# Islands 43
# Lakes/Water bodies
# Rivers 36
# Areal features 46
Provincial / State borders
International borders
47
Rivers that are borders
46
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ANCILLARIES
NETA PowerPoint Microsoft® PowerPoint ® lecture ●● Videos. Various videos illustrating weather and
slides for every chapter have been created by Tim Phaneuf, climate concepts are provided to engage students in
University of Northern British Columbia. There are an seeing the text concepts come alive.
average of 43 slides per chapter, many featuring key fig- ●● Active Figures. Scattered throughout the text, select
ures, tables, and photographs from Meteorology Today, figures are labelled as Active Figures. Active Figures
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ANCILLARIES xxi
are computer animations or visualizations of the aids you need to succeed. Built-in apps leverage social
figures in this text. By expanding and further illus- media and the latest learning technology. For example:
trating important but difficult concepts presented in
●● ReadSpeaker will read the text to you.
the text, these Active Figures aid student comprehen-
sion. Examples of Active Figures include such topics ●● Flashcards are pre-populated to provide you with a
as the Coriolis force, Bergeron process, hail forma- jump start for review—or you can create your own.
tion, the life cycle of a thunderstorm, and develop-
●● You can highlight text and make notes in your
ment of a cumulus cloud.
MindTap Reader. Your notes will flow into Evernote,
●● Pre- and post-tests to help students test their the electronic notebook app that you can access
mastery of concepts. anywhere when it’s time to study for the exam.
●● Test for assessment, online videos, ebook, and more! ●● Self-quizzing allows you to assess your understanding.
●● Active Figures bring figures in the text to life
Student Ancillaries as animations.
●● Videos provide additional visual support to concepts
in the text.
Visit www.nelson.com/student to start using
MindTap. Enter the Online Access Code from the card
MindTap Stay organized and efficient with MindTap— included with your text. If a code card is not provided, you
a single destination with all the course material and study can purchase instant access at NELSONbrain.com.
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Earth’s atmosphere: the view from Apollo 17 as it travels toward the moon on December 7, 1972.
Image courtesy NASA Johnson Space Center
2 NEL
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
chapter 0
Introduction
“Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.”
—Anonymous
Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and its phenomena. Weather is the c ondition of
the atmosphere at any particular time and place. Weather is always changing. It is composed
of weather elements, especially temperature, humidity, pressure, clouds, precipitation, wind, and
visibility. If we measure and observe weather elements over many years, we would obtain the
typical weather in an area. In addition, if we track the variability in each weather element, we
can define the climate of that area.
Weather and climate play major roles in our lives. Weather dictates our choice of clothes
for the day, our preparations for outdoor activities, and the success of our crops. Climate, on
the other hand, influences the clothing we buy, the activities we enjoy, and the type of crops we
plant. Even when we are properly dressed for the weather, wind, humidity, and precipitation
change our perception of how warm or cold it feels. On a humid summer day, we feel uncom-
fortably warm and blame it on the humidity. On a cold, windy day, the effects of wind chill
make it feel much colder than it really is. In Canada, talking about the weather is a favourite
pastime. You might recognize these regional expressions: “Snow’s comin’ down like dinner plates,”
or “How’d you recognize someone from Saskatchewan? They fall over when the wind stops blowing.”
In fact, some scholars consider the weather a part of our national identity and describe us as a
nation huddled against the cold.
When the weather turns colder or warmer than normal, it directly affects our lives. Many
natural disasters are weather related. Major cold spells accompanied by heavy snow and ice
can snarl traffic, curtail airport services, close schools, and down power lines. For example, a
huge ice storm in 1998 left millions of people without power for as long as a month. It caused
over $3 billion in damage in Eastern Canada, making it one of Canada’s costliest natural
disasters.
Every summer, scorching heat waves escalate cooling costs, increase emergency hospital
visits, and even cause deaths from heat exhaustion. As in 2015, successive heat waves combined
with a lack of precipitation can lead to drought, causing food shortages and global impacts.
Between 1999 and 2004, the Canadian Prairies experienced the worst drought in over 100 years,
devastating agriculture. In 2002 alone, this drought cost the Canadian economy $3.6 billion and
41,000 jobs.
The atmosphere is the most dynamic Earth system; a cumulus cloud can develop into a
towering thunderstorm and spawn a tornado in just an hour or two. Summertime thunderstorms
and tornadoes can have severe impacts. Though not as frequent as in the United States, torna-
does in Canada are dangerous; between 1985 and 1987, they caused 39 deaths. Additionally,
cloudbursts from thunderstorms can create flash floods, as well as strong downdrafts that cause
damage and down airplanes. Annually, hail destroys crops worth millions of dollars, and light-
ning kills about seven people in Canada. Canada’s 8000 annual wildfires cause about $14 billion
in losses; lightning starts nearly half of these fires.
Anticipating these many weather-related impacts drives much of the research in
meteorology. The atmosphere also has a role in most global environmental issues, such as CONTENTS
air pollution, acid rain, ozone depletion, and climate change—defining issues for this cen- A Brief History of
tury. For these reasons, interest in meteorology continues to grow. So, how did this sci- Meteorology 4
ence begin? Earth’s Systems 4
Using This Book to Learn
Effectively 5
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
4 chapter 0
A Brief History of Meteorology military aircraft discovered the existence of jet streams.
After World War II, surplus military radar systems were
The term meteorology comes from the Greek word meteoros, repurposed to measure precipitation.
meaning “high in the air.” It goes back to the Greek philoso- Meteorology took another step forward in the 1950s, as
pher Aristotle, who wrote a book of speculations on nature rudimentary computers evolved and could solve
entitled Meteorologica in about 340 BC. Although his ideas mathematical equations—including some developed in the
were mostly wrong, they persisted for almost 2000 years. 1920s that quantify the behaviour of the atmosphere. Thus,
Meteorology did not become a true science until the inven- numerical weather prediction was born. In 1960, the first
tion of these key weather instruments: the thermometer at weather satellite was launched, revolutionizing meteorology.
the end of the 16th century, the barometer for measuring air For the first time, images of clouds and storms across broad
pressure in 1643, and the hygrometer for measuring humidity areas could be seen and tracked over time. Both weather
in the late 18th century. satellites and radar allow measurement and understanding
The invention of the telegraph in 1843 made the trans- of the otherwise inaccessible atmosphere. Continuing
mission of weather observations possible. Real-time com- developments in remote sensing, computers, and numerical
munication enabled the analysis of the weather that models have made these the fundamental tools for
occurred at different places at the same time, providing a understanding, forecasting, tracking, and communicating
regional or synoptic view of the current weather. By 1869, weather and climate information.
improved telegraph communication allowed crude weather The field of meteorology has progressed hand in hand
maps with lines of equal air pressure to be drawn. Interest with these technological and communication developments.
in flight, first with balloons and then aircraft, required a Together, these facilitate the central goal of meteorology: to
better understanding of the weather. Later, two world wars serve society and enable improved policy, planning, and
intensified the development of weather technology and safety through understanding and predicting the atmosphere.
knowledge. Around 1920, the concepts of air masses and While many advances in meteorology have occurred, many
weather fronts were formulated in Norway. By the 1940s, mysteries and interesting problems remain for the next gen-
daily upper-air balloon observations provided a three- eration of meteorologists.
dimensional view of the atmosphere, and high-flying
Earth’s Systems
The atmosphere is one of Earth’s interlinked systems.
Understanding the atmosphere in this context helps us to see
the flows of energy and materials that govern how Earth
works. First, let’s clarify that a system is a set of interacting,
interrelated elements that form a complex whole. Systems
interact with each other, and system components interact
within a system. By explicitly considering the atmospheric
system and how it interacts with other Earth systems, we gain
a broader understanding of how the atmosphere functions.
Consequently, we have created an Earth Systems Guide at the
beginning of each chapter to graphically show how the
chapter contents fit into this framework. Let’s dissect this
graphic so that as you read these chapters, you can better use
this information.
As shown in the following figure, each Earth Systems
Guide is based on the same image, which represents the
interacting Earth systems, the biosphere, anthrosphere,
lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere. In
each diagram, a set of buttons in the upper-left corner also
represents these systems. The buttons are “on”—coloured—
when the chapter content is relevant to that system, or
©Lindsey Martin
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
INTRODUCTION 5
atmosphere biosphere
cryosphere anthrosphere
hydrosphere lithosphere
The hydrosphere includes all of The lithosphere includes Earth’s The anthrosphere is the human
Earth’s water-fresh salt, and frozen. geologic materials and processes part of the biosphere. It includes
In this Guide, frozen water is (volcanism, rock disintegration, erosion). our economy, culture, technology,
represented separately as the It is shown by the land surface and communications, structures, and
cryosphere, since snow and ice underground cross-section. It includes any activities associated with these.
greatly affect climate through the all the rocks and sediment making up The city, roads, ships, airplane, agriculture
reflection of sunlight. the planet. and underground mineshaft symbolize
human interaction with the environment.
notice how the image represents various components of for changes to both the buttons and the Earth Systems Guide
each system. image as you read.
As you read each chapter, notice how the Guide is altered
to show the connections between the Earth systems and
chapter concepts. For instance, ● Figure 0.2 the Chapter 19
Earth Systems Guide, superimposes an example of an atmo-
Using This Book to Learn Effectively
spheric optical phenomenon—a double rainbow—and has A number of features in this book will help you learn more
only the atmosphere button coloured. This shows that the efficiently and effectively. The Student Ancillaries section in
chapter’s content doesn’t relate to interacting Earth systems the Preface describes how to access digital resources available
but is focused on atmospheric phenomena. In other chap- with this textbook. Visit www.nelson.com/student to view
ters, the content connections to Earth systems are repre- these resources, such as quizzes, flashcards, additional video
sented by using different graphical techniques and text exercises, and more. Especially useful are Active Figures, which
explanations. Some images change their perspective, so the are linked to animated online resources that are intended to
scene appears closer to the surface or farther in space; others increase your understanding of the concept shown in the
have magnified sections to elaborate on unseen details. Look image. Active Figures are identified throughout the book.
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may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
6 chapter 0
cryosphere anthrosphere
hydrosphere lithosphere
Additionally, within the book the following learning readers on track. Make Brief Reviews a learning tool by
features may seem obvious, but they are highlighted so that incorporating your own more detailed notes.
every reader can benefit from their instructional value. This ●● Summary—at the end of each chapter, a brief summary
list follows the order that these features appear in the book. recounts the key points. Expand the summaries to create
your own detailed study guide for each chapter.
●● Table of Contents—lists how information is orga-
●● Key Terms—are listed at the end of each chapter and
nized within each chapter and between the chapters of
track the words indicated in bold text. Include Key Terms
this book. Review this information before reading each
as another study tool when reviewing chapter concepts.
chapter. Notice how chapters, headings, and subheadings
●● End-of-Chapter learning materials—three types
show the book’s framework. Experienced learners use this
of questions are provided at the end of each chapter to
information to construct their own framework so that
increase your engagement with the chapter content:
content can be related to key concepts in a meaningful
● Questions for Review check how well you have
way. Main headings are also listed on the opening pages
assimilated the content.
of each chapter.
● Questions for Thought require you to synthesize
●● Chapter-opening vignette—links the chapter content
content for deeper understanding.
to a real-world application or related topical story.
● Problems and Exercises provide more technical
●● Earth Systems Guide—visually contextualizes each
challenges through activities or calculations related to
chapter’s content; see the previous section for details.
the content.
●● Bold text—indicates key words that are explained in
●● Appendixes—contain useful tables, conversions, for-
the Glossary and listed as Key Terms.
mulas, charts, symbols and definitions. Appendix titles
●● Italicized text—indicates important words or phrases
indicate the content.
that are not Key Terms.
●● Glossary—provides definitions for words in bold font
●● Weather Watch boxes—short, interesting facts related
(Key Terms)
to the section’s content.
●● Index—an alphabetical listing of main concepts or words
●● Focus On boxes—over 80 boxes, of different types,
and their page numbers. Use this tool to find information
are interspersed throughout the text: Focus on a
by topic.
Special Topic, Focus on an Advanced Topic, Focus on
●● Physiographic Map of North America—inside the
an Observation, Focus on Environmental Issue, and
back cover is a reference map showing topography, land
Focus on Social and Economic Impacts. These boxes
cover, and place names used in the text.
demonstrate or expand specific chapter content. Twenty
●● Cloud Chart—removable and laminated; take this
were written by renowned Canadian experts who are
cloud identification tool outside and learn by doing!
identified under the title.
Start by reviewing the classification diagram. It depicts
●● Active Figures—animated or interactive online resources;
types of clouds as four major groupings (low, middle,
use these to increase your conceptual understanding.
high, and clouds with vertical development). Match
●● Brief Reviews—lists that occur once or twice in a
the cloud photos to their image in the diagram; then
chapter and summarize content mid-chapter to keep
regularly try to recognize the clouds you see. Compare
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Copyright 2016 Nelson Education Ltd. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content
may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Nelson Education reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
given to the efforts of the Commission to enlighten the people as to
our mission, but having patiently awaited the termination of
business we returned to our search for the bead-work, only to find
that the finer specimens could not by any process of cajolery be
secured. Money meant nothing to the hillmen and we had no
substitutes in the way of gewgaws to offer them. The only one of us
who succeeded in getting a really good suit was Miss Anne Ide, and
her success was the result of a curious incident. She met a chieftain
gorgeously arrayed, and at a venture tried upon him the Samoan
greeting and a Samoan song which she had learned in her childhood
when her father was Chief Justice of the Samoan Islands. To her
great surprise the Bogobo answered and seemed greatly pleased. He
had already had conveyed to him the fact that the only thing the
ladies wanted was bead clothing, so he indicated to Miss Ide that he
would present to her his coat and pants, and without further ado,
and much to her astonishment, he began to divest himself of these
garments which she accepted with delight. The incident awakened
natural curiosity on our part as to the relation between the
Polynesian language of Samoa and the vernacular of the hill tribes
around the Davao gulf.
From Davao we proceeded on our journey around Mindanao,
sailing out into the open Pacific and up to the province of Surigao in
the northeast corner of the island.
PICTURESQUE BEAD-BEDECKED
BOGOBOS OF THE DAVAO COUNTRY
The next day, before the sun was very high, we found ourselves in
the midst of mountain-tops, on a trail which rose in great upward
sweeps around the densely wooded slopes, to an altitude of 5600
feet. By this time we were all on horseback with eight Igorrote boys
behind us carrying a sedan chair to be used in case of accident or a
dangerous washout on the trail. I wish I could describe the
magnificence of the scene which lay all about us when we reached
that amazing summit. General Bell, who had been all through the
Rocky Mountains, the Yellowstone, and the Yosemite Valley, said
there was nothing that he had ever seen which could compare with it.
And its grandeur is accentuated by vivid colouring. The Igorrotes
have, for hundreds of years, been building extraordinary rice terraces
and these have gradually climbed the mountains until, in some
places, only the rugged crests are left uncultivated. The terraces are
as symmetrical as honeycomb and are built in solid walls of finely
laid masonry out of which grow ferns and tangled vines. The brilliant
colour of the young rice fairly glows against the dark greens of pine
trees, of spreading mangoes, and of tropic forest giants whose names
I do not know. And wherever one looks there are peaks, jagged sunlit
peaks which rise from sombre valleys upward into a strange light
whose every ray seems to shine in its own individual hue. In the far
distance we could see the ocean, with white breakers dashing against
the cliffs; while in the valley below the Santa Cruz River, though
actually foaming and dashing through its winding, rocky bed,
seemed to us to be lying still, without motion of any kind, or sound.
In my diary, which I kept on that trip, I find that at each stopping
place I have solemnly set down the observation that: “the scenery to-
day was the finest we have yet found”; and when we reached Sagada I
took the trouble to record for my own future reference that: “I shall
not rest until Will has seen it.” He never has.
At Sagada we found ourselves quite far up in the Igorrote country,
where Filipinos as a rule, do not go. We had come from Cervantes
over a trail where the horses cautiously kept to the inside, and where
we were told to let go of our inner stirrups so, in case a horse went
over the edge of the precipice its rider would have a chance of falling
clear on the terra-firma side instead of being hurled out into open
space. There are a great many people who have to be taken over such
trails blind-folded, but there were no dizzy-heads among us, and as
each turn of the way revealed to us different and more wonderful
views, we filled the day with exclamation points.
Here and there we met bands of Igorrotes, marching “Indian file,”
carrying great bundles of rice up short-cut mountain trails, which
wound through the rice terraces and were “as steep as the side of a
house.” All the men had long, murderous-looking spears, while the
women were evidently the burden-bearers. Along the main trail we
came, now and then, upon a company of men leading home a
whimpering and pitiful little pack of very thin dogs. We knew these
were to be killed and eaten and, naturally, the thought was sickening,
but in the Igorrote country the dog-loving white man has to get used
to this. Some day, perhaps, it will be different, but not until herds
and flocks have been substituted and entirely new ideas have
patiently been instilled into the minds of these people. For the time
being dog flesh is their most cherished article of diet.
I wish it were known just where these curious wild tribes came
from; just what their race history is. They are as unlike Filipinos as
American Indians are unlike Englishmen. They have but one thing in
common with the Filipinos, and that is their colour, which is a soft,
dark brown. There is hardly an American who has ever lived among
them for any length of time who has not a real admiration and
affection for them and yet, to all intents and purposes, they are
naked savages. They are most amenable to civilising influences. They
take to education eagerly. They are, in their physical development,
beautiful to look upon—when they are cleaned up—perfectly formed,
straight and muscular, with features strongly marked and with wide,
clear eyes which inspire confidence. They are entirely fearless; and
they are loyal to the “last ditch.” Also, it is these same
incomprehensible “naked savages” who have built the thousands of
acres of rice terraces which are a marvel and a mystery to every
irrigation expert or technical engineer who has ever seen them.
Bureau of Science, Manila.