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PGEOG 130 - Spring 2008 SyllabusWeather and ClimateInstructor: Frank BuonaiutoEmail: [email protected] (212) 650-3092Office hours: Rm 1049 N Tue & Thu, 7:00 - 8:00 pmLecture hours: Rm 0714 W Tue & Thu, 5:35 - 6:50 pmErnestoWeather = state of the atmosphere at a given time and placeClimate = generalization of weather (stereotyping)Mean Percentage of Sunshine for NovemberNYCClimate•More than just ‘average weather’•Extreme events & probability•Sum of all statistical weather information describing a place or region‘Climate is what you expect, Weather is what you get’Elements of WAC (Basic Measurable Properties)1. Temperature of Air2. Humidity of Air3. Cloud Cover (type and amount)4. Precipitation (type and amount)5. Air Pressure6. Wind Speed and DirectionChapter 1 OutlineI. Introduction/OverviewII. Weather and ClimateA. Basic elements of weather andclimateIII. Atmospheric Hazards: Assault by the ElementsChapter 1 OutlineI. Introduction/OverviewII. Weather and ClimateA. Basic elements of weather andclimateIII. Atmospheric Hazards: Assault by the Elementshurricanes, tornados, hail, floods, mudslides, waves, blizzards, freezing rain, heat waves, cold spells, mid-latitude stormsWeather Related Events – Damage in $BillionsWhat is the worst weather disaster ever to affect the US?Hurricane KatrinaKatrina was not only the most expensive national disaster in US history, leaving an insurance bill for the devastation in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama of some US$60bn ($94bn)….. Congress has allocated US$110bn ($172bn) for relief and reconstruction. Chapter OutlineIV. The Atmosphere: A Part of the Earth SystemA. Earth’s four spheres1. Lithosphere2. Atmosphere3. Hydrosphere4. Biosphere1. Lithosphere: Solid Earth1. Lithosphere: Solid EarthBrittleDuctile2. Atmosphere: Gaseous Envelope• 99% of Atm. Within 30km of Earths Surface• Energetic: energy exchange between space and atmosphere and between the atmosphere and the surface of the earth.3. Hydrosphere: All Water• Small reservoirs are important for weather and climate processes and geologic processes (reshaping the earth)4. Biosphere: All Life on Earth• Extends from the ocean floor to a few km into the atmosphereChapter OutlineB. Earth System Science: Study of the interconnections between the four spheres1. What is a system? Group of interconnected parts that make up a complex whole. Most natural systems transfer matter and energy from one region to another.2. Feedback mechanisms3. Earth as a system1. What is a system? Most natural systems transfer matter and energy from one region to another.• Closed System: matter does not enter of leave the system• Open System: both matter and energy can enter and leave the system2. Feedback Mechanisms:• Negative Feedback Mech.: mechanisms that stabilize or maintain the system (resist change) (examples: clouds)• Positive Feedback Mech.: mechanisms that enhance or promote change (examples: hurricanes, melting of glaciers)3. Earth as a system2 Sources of Energy that drive the earth system• Sun: solar radiation drives weather and climate• Earths Interior: energy from formation and radioactive decay of elements3. Earth as a system: Subsystem Hydrologic Cycle3. Earth as a system: Subsystem Geologic CycleV. Composition of the Atmosphere: Gas, Water Vapor, ParticlesA. Major componentsV. Composition of the Atmosphere: Gas, Water Vapor, ParticlesB. Carbon DioxideV. Composition of the Atmosphere:C. Variable Components1. Water Vapor2. Aerosols3. Ozone1. Water Vapor0-4% by volumeAbsorbs energy from the sun and the surface of the earthRequires energy to change state (latent heat)2. Aerosols: small solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere (mainly lower atm.)Water droplet nucleiReflect/ absorb incoming solar radiation Colorful sunrises and sunsets3. Ozone (O3)Concentrated in the StratosphereFilters Ultraviolet RadiationVI. Ozone Depletion: A Global IssueCFC-Chloroflorocarbons (AC, refrigeration, aerosol sprays)Ozone Reduction = increase in skin cancer, cataracts, disruption of ocean food webAntarctic Ozone HoleVI. Ozone Depletion: A Global IssueMontreal ProtocolComplete phaseout of CFCs Anticipated recovery second half of 21stCenturyVII. Probing the AtmosphereA. Radiosondes: Instrument package that measures pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. Uses radio transmitter to send data back to surface.VII. Probing the Atmosphere•Planes, Rockets•DOPLAR Radar and Satellites:TS FlorenceVIII.Extent of the Atm.- No sharp boundary between Atm. and Space- Sea Level Pressure: 14.7 lbs/in2~ 1000 mb- 100 km very few gas molecules- highly compressibleA. Thermal structure:1. Troposphere2. Stratosphere3. Mesosphere4. Thermosphere1. Troposphere12km = avg. thickness16km = tropics09km = polesTemp. decrease with altitudeEnvironmental Lapse Rate = 6.5oC/kmEnergetic Layer2. StratosphereZone of constant temp. above tropopauseTemp. increase with altitude (Ozone)Stratopause = 50km above surface3. MesosphereTemp. decrease with altitudeMesopause = coldest temperatures (-90oC)Difficult to explore4. ThermosphereTemp. increase with altitude due to absorption of solar radiation by oxygen and nitrogenTemp approach 1000oCB. Vertical variations in composition1.Homosphere: zone of homogeneous composition extends up to 80km (mesopause)2. Heterosphere: zone of heterogeneous composition extends from mesopause through thermosphere- Layered structure based on atomic weightHydrogen (H)Helium (He)Oxygen (O) Nitrogen (N2)3. Ionosphere- electrically charged layer 80-400km-N2& O absorb short wave solar radiation- release electrons; move as an electric


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CUNY PGEOG 130 - Lecture Notes

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