Atmospheric Processes and Systems presents a concise introduction to the atmosphere and the fundamentals of weather. Examining different aspects of the mass, energy and circulation systems in the atmosphere, this text provides detailed accounts of specific phenomena, including* the composition and structure of the atmosphere* energy transfers* the cycle of atmospheric water in terms of evaporation, condensation and precipitation* pressure and winds at the primary or global scale* secondary air masses and fronts* thermal differences and weather disturbances.The text includes sixteen boxed case studies, annotated further reading lists and a glossary of key terms.
Author(s): Russel Thompson
Edition: 1
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 1998
Language: English
Pages: 217
Tags: Науки о Земле;Метеорология и климатология;
Book Cover......Page 1
Title......Page 4
Contents......Page 5
Series editors' preface......Page 10
List of plates......Page 12
List of figures......Page 13
List of tables......Page 17
List of boxes......Page 18
List of case studies......Page 19
Preface......Page 20
Acknowledgements......Page 22
Introduction to the Atmosphere......Page 24
The composition of the atmosphere......Page 26
The structure of the atmosphere......Page 34
Radiative Fluxes and Energy Transfers in the Atmosphere and at the Earth's Surface......Page 40
Radiative fluxes and radiation balance......Page 42
Net radiation and energy transfers within the atmosphere and at the Earth's surface......Page 53
Energy transfers within the troposphere and their influence on atmospheric stability tendencies......Page 63
Atmospheric Water......Page 76
Evaporation and evapotranspiration......Page 78
The condensation process and condensation forms at or close to the Earth's surface: dew, hoar frost and fog......Page 89
Condensation forms in the troposphere, away from the Earth's surface: clouds and precipitation......Page 97
The Primary Atmospheric Circulation: Global Pressure and Winds at the Earth's Surface and within the Troposphere......Page 108
The distribution of global surface pressure systems......Page 110
Surface airflow......Page 120
Upper troposphere pressure and wind systems......Page 133
Secondary and Tertiary Circulations: Synoptic Situations and Local Airflows......Page 150
Air masses and fronts......Page 152
Weather disturbances......Page 165
Weather disturbances of middle and high latitudes......Page 168
Tropical weather disturbances......Page 176
Tertiary circulations/local airflows......Page 187
Glossary......Page 196
References......Page 205
Index......Page 207
