9781422272510

When it comes to weather, the one constant is that it’s constantly changing. Weather refers to short-term conditions that exist within the earth’s atmosphere, which include temperature, humidity, precipitation , atmospheric pressure, wind, and cloud cover. Since its status is temporary, the weather is always fluctuating. That is why you may wake up to a perfectly warm and sunny day, only to have your plans ruined later because a thunderstorm rolls in. In short, a good definition for weather is: How the atmosphere is behaving from one minute, hour, day, and season to the next . The Elements of Weather There are six primary elements of weather. While each of these components is distinct, they are also linked together. Combined, they are what comprise the weather: • Temperature • Humidity • Precipitation • Atmospheric pressure • Wind • Cloud cover Temperature: Temperature is the measurement of how hot or cold the earth’s atmosphere is. In the United States, it is measured in Fahrenheit degrees. In most of the rest of the world (along with the scientific community), it is measured in Celsius. Temperature influences each of the other elements. Because of this, it is considered an important element when it comes to defining what weather conditions will be like. Humidity: Have you ever stepped outside on a warm day and immediately felt hot and sticky? That’s because of humidity— the amount of water vapor present within the air. Vapor is the gaseous form that water takes as it evaporates back into the earth’s

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Is Climate DifferentThan Weather?