Geography
Physical Environments: Weather
The Nine Weather Elements
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The Nine Weather Elements
The Nine Weather Elements
Temperature
- Temperature refers to how hot or cold the atmosphere is.
- It is typically measured in degrees Celsius (°C).
- Temperature can be affected by several factors, such as time of day, season of the year, and latitude.
Humidity
- Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air.
- It is expressed as a percentage (%).
- High humidity often results in feeling hotter than it actually is, due to the slowing of evaporation.
Wind
- The wind is the movement of air from one place to another.
- Wind is caused by differences in air pressure.
- Wind speed is typically measured in miles or kilometres per hour, while wind direction is defined by the direction from which it originates.
Precipitation
- Precipitation is any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the ground.
- It includes different forms such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
- The amount of precipitation can greatly affect the climate of a place.
Atmospheric Pressure
- Atmospheric pressure is the force applied by the weight of the air above a point.
- It is usually measured in millibars or hectopascals.
- Changes in atmospheric pressure can cause a change in weather conditions.
Cloud Cover
- Cloud cover refers to the fraction of the sky obscured by clouds.
- It is usually expressed in eighths or oktas.
- Cloud cover can influence the temperature by blocking sunlight during the day and holding heat at night.
Visibility
- Visibility is the distance one can see clearly through the atmosphere.
- It can be affected by factors such as fog, heavy rain, snow, smog, and dust.
- Poor visibility can affect travel and other activities, especially those that depend on sight.
Solar Radiation
- Solar radiation is the energy we receive from the Sun.
- It influences daily and seasonal weather patterns, and affects temperature and cloud formation.
- Solar radiation varies by latitude, with the equator receiving the most and the poles receiving the least.
Weather Phenomena
- Weather phenomena include events like thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons which are caused by complex air and atmospheric conditions.
- Such phenomena are typically accompanied by extreme forms of the basic weather elements described above.
- Understanding and predicting these phenomena are crucial for preventing harm to individuals and damage to property.
