above 36 degrees latitude…
more shortwave radiation is lost than received
at 36 degrees latitude or below…
more shortwave radiation is received than lost
albedo of…
water (sun overhead)
3 - 5%
albedo of…
forested areas
5 - 10%
albedo of…
wet earth
10%
albedo of…
dry earth
15 - 25%
albedo of…
green grass
20 - 25%
albedo of…
sand surface
20 - 30%
albedo of…
thin clouds
25 - 50%
albedo of…
old snow
50 - 60%
albedo of…
water (low sun angle)
50 - 80%
albedo of…
thick clouds
70 - 80%
albedo of…
fresh snow
85%
Latent Heat is released during…
1) Condensation
2) Deposition (vapor to ice)
3) Freezing
Latent Heat is absorbed during….
1) Melting
2) Evaporation
3) Sublimation (ice to vapor)
of 100% of incoming solar radiation…
how much is reflected from surface?
4%
of 100% of incoming solar radiation…
how much is scattered from atmosphere?
6%
of 100% of incoming solar radiation…
how much is scattered and reflected by clouds?
20%
of 100% of incoming solar radiation…
how much is absorbed by atmosphere and clouds?
19%
of 100% of incoming solar radiation…
how much is absorbed by the earth?
51%
permanent gases and their percentages
Permanent Gases (98% volume)
Nitrogen (N) - 78.07%
Oxygen (O) - 20.95%
Argon (A) - .93%
Neon (Ne) - .001%
Stanley Gedzelman’s (CCNY) Seven Causes of Weather
- Sun’s heating varies over Earth and with Seasons
- Difference in air temperatures over Earth causes winds
- Rotation of Earth destroys wind patterns … twisting the wind, produces spirals … high / low pressure
- Since less moisture can coexist in colder air, precipitation is generally caused by cooling the air
* ** Pressure in the atmosphere ALWAYS decreases with height *** - The process of decreasing air pressure … temperatures drop
- The process of increasing air pressure … temperature rise
- Clouds / precipitation are caused by rising air (lows) clear skies are caused by sinking air (highs)
isotach
lines of equal Wind speed
isodrosotherm
lines of equal dew point temperature
