weather

What is weather ?

Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a given time and place. Most of the
time weather takes place in the troposphere, the lowest layer of the
atmosphere.

Or

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms
of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
 climate
The climate of the earth consists of a series of
interlinked physical systems powered by the sun.
In the built environment we are generally
concerned with local climatic systems in
particular:
· Macro-climate the climate of a larger area such

as a region or a country
· Micro-climate the variations in localised climate

around a building
 Local climate
Malaysia has a tropical climate, with very warm days and fairly cool
nights. On average, temperature holds at 86°F (30°C), with cooler
temperatures in the highlands. In Kuala Lumpur, average daytime
temperature year-round is 82°F (27°C).

The east coast of Malaysia experiences humidity and heavy rains from
November to February, brought by the southwestern monsoon; rainfall
averages over 120 inches a year. The west coast experiences its
heavy
rains during August. Conditions may vary according to the prevailing
monsoon winds at the time.
 Macro climate
The macro climate around a building cannot be affected by any design
changes, however the building design can be developed with a knowledge on
The macro climate in which the building is located.

• Seasonal accumulated temperature difference (degree day) are a measure of

the outside air temperature.

• Typical wind speeds and direction

• Annual totals of Global Horizontal Solar Radiation

• The driving rain index (DRI) relates to the amount of moisture contained in
exposed surfaces and will affect thermal conductivity of external surfaces
 Micro climates
The site of a building may have a many micro climates caused by the presence
of hills valleys, slopes, streams and other buildings.

Two main possibilities for influencing Micro Climate:

- Solar Access
- Wind Control

Solar Access
- Deciduous trees offer an excellent means of site shading.
- The colour of surrounding surfaces will have a pronounced effect on the
solar radiation available to the building. (eg: light colour paving will increase
the radiation reflected from the ground into the building)
- Grass planted outside a building will reduce the ground reflected solar.
- Buildings with a heating requirement should be orientated north
south with maximum glazing on the south face.
Wind Control
The form of the building can have a great effect on the impact of the
wind.:
• Avoidance of the building flank facing the wind

• Avoidance of funnel-like gaps between buildings

• Avoidance of flat roofed buildings and cubical forms

• Avoid piercing buildings at ground level

• Avoid abrupt changes in building heights

• Orientate long axis of the building parallel to the direction of the wind

· Use pitched rather than flat roofs and stepped forms for higher buildings
 Climate elements
Climatology is the study of the long-term state of the atmosphere, or climate.
The long-term state of the atmosphere is a function of a variety of interacting
elements. They are:

• Solar radiation
• Air masses
• Pressure systems (and cyclone belts)
• Ocean Currents 
• Topography
 Solar radiation
• The most important element of the climate

• Solar radiation drives evaporation as long there is water available.

• Solar radiation first and foremost heats the Earth's surface which in turn
determines the temperature of the air above.

• Unequal heating of the Earth's surface creates pressure gradients that result
in wind.

• Heating of the air determines its stability, which affects cloud development
and precipitation
 Air masses
• Air masses as an element of climate subsumes the characteristics of
temperature, humidity, and stability

• Location relative to source regions of air masses in part determines the

variation of the day-to-day weather and long-term climate of a place
(eg: the stormy climate of the midlatitudes is a product of lying in the
boundary zone of greatly contrasting air masses called the polar front.
 Pressure System
• Pressure systems have a direct impact on the precipitation characteristics of
different climate regions.

• places dominated by low pressure tend to be moist, while those dominated

by high pressure are dry.

• Climates located at 10degree to 15degree celcius of latitude experience a

significant wet period when dominated by the Intertropical Convergence
Zone and a dry period when the Subtropical High moves into this region.
(eg: climate of Asia is impacted by the annual fluctuation of wind direction
due to the monsoon.
Pressure dominance also affects the receipt of solar radiation. Places
dominated by high pressure tend to lack cloud cover and hence receive
significant amounts of sunshine, especially in the low latitudes. 
 Ocean Currents
• Ocean currents greatly affect the temperature and precipitation of a climate

• Air traveling over cold ocean currents lose energy to the water and thus
moderate the temperature of nearby coastal locations

• Air masses traveling over warm ocean currents promote instability and
precipitation.

• The warm ocean water keeps air temperatures somewhat warmer than
locations just inland from the coast during the winter.
 Topography
Topography affects climate in a variety of ways :

- The orientation of mountains to the prevailing wind affects

precipitation. Windward slopes, those facing into the wind,
experience more precipitation due to orographic uplift of the air.

- Air temperatures are affected by slope and orientation as slopes

facing into the Sun will be warmer than those facing away.

- Mountains have nearly the same affect as latitude does on climate.

On tall mountains a zonation of climate occurs as you move towards
higher elevation.
 Indoor climate
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning are three functions are closely
interrelated, as they control the temperature and humidity of the air within a
building in addition to providing for smoke control, maintaining pressure
relationships between spaces, and providing fresh air for occupants. In
modern building designs, the design, installation and control systems of
these functions are integrated into a single "HVAC" system.