Weather and

Climate
GIven below are some terms used to describe the different elements of weather.
would use to
Observe today's weather. Then tick () the appropriate terms that you
describe the day's weather.
1. Temperature: hot cold moderate

2. Humidity dry sultry

3. Precipitation: rain snow hailstone drizzle

4. Cloud cover: Sunny cloudy

5. Wind: windy calm

Climate is defined as the average overall

O ur daily life is influenced by weather and
climate. The food we eat, the clothes we wear,
the type of houses we live in and our economic
condition of the air temperature, atmospheric
pressure, humidity, precipitation and winds over
activities are all influenced by the weather a large region and for a long period of time.
conditions. say about 35 to 40 years. The climate of a place
We use a variety of terms such as sunny, remains more or less
cloudy, windy, rainy or sultry to describe weather the same year atter
conditions. Actually these terms explain the year. Let us learn
atmospheric conditions with respect to air 16% about the various
ABSORBED
temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, BY WATER elements of weather.
cloudiness, precipitation, winds and visibility. T%DIFFUSED VAPOUR
AND DUST AND
These are the elements of weather SCATTERED GASES IN
3Y
ATMOSPHERE
THEAIR Air
239%
Difference between REFLECTED
BY CLOUDS
36
ABSORBED
temperature
BY CLOUDS The sun radiates heat
weather and climate and light energy.
Weather is defined as the state of air temperature, This is called solar
496REFLECTED
atmospheric pressure, humidity, precipitation and BY LAND AND radiation. However,
winds in the atmosphere at a given place and time. dCEANS
only avery mall
The conditions of different elements of weather part (about one in
keep changing from time to time and from place to 200 million) of the
place. Thus, the change in weather is a continuous solar radiation is able
Fig. 3.1 Distribution of solar
20 phenomenon. radiation in the atmosphere to reach the earth's
surtace. The amount of solar radiation received
by the earths surface is called insolation. The
word 'insolation' has been derived from
incoming
solar radiation.
The earth's surface absorbs maximum insolation
during the day. At night, the heat which was
absorbed during the day, is radiated back. This
is called terrestrial radiation. The heat from
terrestrial radiation is mostly absorbed by gases,
water vapour and dust particles present in the
atmosphere. The atmosphere is heated more by
terrestrial radiation than by insolation.

Heating of the atmosphere

Places located in the polar regions are very cold.
The solar radiation which passes through the
atmosphere, before reaching the earth's surface, layers and the atmosphere is heated.
does not heat the atmosphere directly. But the
solar radiation is able to heat the earths surface Distribution of temperature
directly. The air resting over the earth's surface gets The air temperature of a place is directly dependent
heated due to contact with the hot surface of the on the amount of insolation received
by that place.
earth. This heat is further transmitted to the upper In general, the amount of insolation received

Table 3.1 Heat zones of the earth

HEAT ZONE LOCATION OF THE REGION FEATURES

1. Torrid zone a. Northern hemisphere between 1. Receives maximum insolation

Equator and Tropic of Cancer 2. Sun's rays are almost vertical

(23 N) throughout the year

b. Southern hemisphere between 3. Hottest part of the earth
Equator and Tropic of Capricorn
(23°S)
2. Temperate zone a. Northern hemisphere between 1. Receives moderate insolation
Tropic of Cancer (23K°N) and 2. Region enjoys moderate
Arctic Circle (66%°N) temperature
b. Southern hemisphere between 3. Neither too hot nor too cold
Tropic of Capricorn (23%°s) and
Antarctic Circle (66°s)

3. Frigid zone a. Northern hemisphere between 1. Receives minimum insolation

Arctic Circle (66%°N) and North 2. Sun's rays are slanting
Pole (9o°N) throughout the year
b. Southern hemisphere between 3. Coldest part of the earth
Antarctic Circle (66%°s) and
South Pole (90's)
21
 the earth has been divided
by the earth's surface,
Table 3.1 and Fig. 3.2).
into three heat zones (see
NORTHNORTH POLE
FRIGID ZONE Atmospheric pressure
NORTH TEMPERATE ArZONE
dic its weight
Air has weight. The atmosphereexerts
This is called
as pressure on the earths surface.
weight
The of an air
TORRID ZONE Tropic of Cancer atmospheric pressure.
over one square centimetre area
column, standing
of the earth, is more than one kilogram.

soUTH TEMPERATE ZONE Equator The normal atmospheri pressure at

Tropic of
Capncorn mean sea level is about 76 centimetres of the
1013 millibar in the barometer.
mercury column or
D ZONEAntdracrteic c
FRIGISOUTH Millibar (mb) is the unit used to measure

ISOUTH POLE atmospheric pressure.

The variations in the atmospheric pressure on
the earths surface is due to:
Fig. 3.2 Heat zones of the earth Temperature of the air
Density of the air
decreases as we move from the equator towards Height of a place above the mean sea level
the poles. Amount of moisture present in the air
On the basis of the amount of heat received The air which rests on the earth's surface
expands on being heated and becomes light. It rises
MORE TO KNOW upward and creates an area of low pressure. In
contrast, the cold air contracts, becomes heavy and
The weight of the atmospheric pressure on
settles down. This creates an area of high pressure.
our body is several tons. But we are rarely
The tendency of the atmospheric pressure
aware of it. This is because while air presses
is that
our body from all sides, our body also exerts
it decreases with an increase in temperature.
counter pressure to balance it.
it decreases with an increase in altitude.
moist air exerts less pressure than dry air.
theearth's rotation modifies
-9,600 its distribution.
SMALLER AIR COLUMN 8,400
(LESS COMPRESSED AND
LESS DENSE AIR) LONGER AIR COLUMN 200
Distribution of atmospheric
(HIGHLYCOMPRESSED
0,000
pressure
AND HIGHLY DENSE AIR)
The
AVERAGE RATE OF
-4,800
atmospheric pressure 1s
DECREASE
highest at the mean sea level. On
34 MB/300 M -3,600
the mountains, the thickness and
4400
density of air column is less and
1,200 hence the atmospheric pressure is
also less (see
METRES
Fig. 3.3).
The atmospheric
pressure on the
earth's surface is not the same.
Altitude and atmospheric pressure This is due to unequal heating
Fig. 3.3
 of the atmosphere. Normally, the atmospheric
nressure should increase from the equator towards NORTH POLE
the poles. But it is not so. At some places it is
POLAR (HP)
NORTH EAST POLAR WINDS

modified by the earths rotation. There are seven SUB-POLAR (LP)

60 N
SOUTH
major pressure belts on earth. However, these are WESTERLIES

not continuous (see Fig. 3.4). The seven pressure SUBTROPICAL(HP)

0° N

belts are as follows: NORTH EAST

TRADE WINDS
Equatorial low pressure belt - extends
EQUATORIAL (LP)
between 5° N and 5° S latitude[ * 1*****
0°N

Subtropical high pressure belts - extend sOUTH-EAST

between 30° and 35° latitudes in northern and TRADE WINDS

southern hemispheres SUBTRORICAL (HP) 300 S

NORTH
Sub-polar low pressure belts - extend between WESTERLIES

60 and 70° latitudes in northern and southern SUB-POLAR (LP) 60° S

SOUTH HP- HIGH PRESSURE

hemispheres POLAR (HP)
SOUTH POLE EAST POLAR LP LOw PRESSURE
Polar high pressure belts -

around the North WINDS

Pole and South Pole

Fig. 3.4 Pressure and wind belts of the world

QUICK QUIz classify winds into three major types. They are:
Planetary winds
Name three elements of
weather. Periodicwinds
2 The climate of a place remains the Localwinds
same while the weather keeps changing.
True or False? Planetary winds
Some winds blow
The incoming solar radiation is called constantly in particular a

direction throughout the year. These winds are

known as
planetary winds or prevailing winds
An area
of (low/high) pressure is created or
permanent winds. These winds originate due
by warm air. to the presence of permanent
high pressure and
5 Name the pressure belts on the earth. low pressure belts on the earth's surface. The
three
main types of planetary winds are
(see Fig. 3.4):
Tradewinds
Winds Westerlies
The variations in
atmospheric pressure result in Polar winds
the movement of air. Air that moves
horizontally is
called wind. The vertical movement of air is called Trade winds The trade winds blow
air current. Wind blows from a from the
high pressure subtropical high pressure belts to the equatorial
region to a low pressure region. low pressure belt in both the
Winds are named by the direction from which blow from north-east to south-west in the
hemispheres
They
they blow. For example, if a wind blows from the northern
western side, it is called the west wind.
hemisphere and from south-east to north-west in
the southern
Due to
earths rotation, winds are deflected towards the hemisphere. Thus, they are called the
North-East Trade Winds and South-East
right in the northern hemisphere and towards the Trade
Winds in the northern and southern
left in
the southern hemisphere. We broadly
hemispheres
can
respectively. 23
Westerlies The westerlies blow from the winds. They are caused due to unequal heating
subtropical and cooling of the earths surtace. The main types
high pressure belts to the sub-polar low
belts in both the hemispheres. They blow
pressure of periodic winds are:
from south-west to north-east in the northern Monsoon winds
hemisphere and from north-west to south-east Sea breeze and land breeze
in the southern
hemisphere. Thus, they are called
the South Westerlies and North Monsoon winds The monsoon winds have derived
Westerlies in the
northern and southern their name from the Arabic word mausim which
hemispheres respectively.
Due to the absence of landmasses in the southern means season. In the tropical areas, there is a sharp
hemisphere, especially between 40°S and 60°S diference ín the summer and winter temperatures
latitudes, the westerlies blow at great speeds. Thus, between the interior of the continents and the
they are known as Roaring Forties, Furious Fifties surrounding water bodies. Thus, the monsoon
and Screeching Sixties at 40°S, 50°S and 60° S winds change their direction with the change of
latitudes respectively. season. These winds are best developed over the
Indian subcontinent and the adjoining areas.
Polar winds The polar winds blow from the
polar high pressure belts to the sub-polar low Sea breeze and land breeze The sea and land
pressure belts in both the hemispheres. They blow breezes blow over the narrow strips of coastal
from north-east to south-west in the northern areas. During daytime, land is warmer than the
hemisphere and from south-east to north-west in adjoining sea. This leads to the development of
the southern hemisphere. These winds are called a low pressure area over the land and thus the
the North-East Polar Winds and the
South cooler wind from the sea blows towards the land.
East Polar Winds in the northern and southern This wind is called the sea breeze (see Fig. 3.5).
hemispheres respectively. These winds are very At night, due to radiation, land is cooler than the
cold and dry. adjoining sea. This leads to the development of a
high pressure area over the land and the cooler
Periodic winds wind from the land blows towards the sea. This
Some winds have a tendency to reverse their wind is called the land breeze (see
3.6). Fig.
direction periodically. These winds blow in a
definite direction, during a particular period of Local winds
the day or year. Such winds are called periodic n many parts of the world, winds with special

DAY
NIGHT
SUN MOON

AIR HEA
LAND AND RIS COOLER AIR OVER WARM AIR oVER
WATER MOVING WATER RISING
TOWARDS LAND
cOOLER AIR OVER LAND
SEA BREEZE
MOVING TOWARDS WATER.
LAND BREEZE
AND SEA
LAND SEA

WARMER COOLER
cooLER WARMER
(HIGHER PRESSURE)
LOwER PRESE (HIGHER PRESSURE)
(LOWER PRESSURE)

Fig. 3.5 Sea breeze blows during the day.

Fig. 3.6 Land breeze blows
during the night.
 The Foehn, which blows across the Alps, helps in the ripening of grapes in
France

characteristics blow over small areas. These winds Absolute humidity

blowfor a short time. Such winds are called local Relativehumidity
winds. Most of them are seasonal and their names The actual amount of water vapour present
are
usually derived from the regional languages. in air is called absolute humidity. It is high near
Some local winds are as follows: the equator and decreases towards the poles. It is
TheLoo is a hot, dry and dusty wind which expressed in grams per cubic nmetre.
blows in the plains of northern India. It is The ratio between the actual amount of water
common during May and June. vapour present in the air at a given temperature
The Chinook is a warm and dry wind which and the maximum capacity of the air to hold
blows on the eastern side of the Rocky moisture at that temperature is called relative
Mountains in North America. Under its humidity. It is always expressed in percentage.
influence the snow on the mountains melts Thus, while absolute humidity determines the
rapidly. Thus, it is also called 'snow-eater amount of precipitation, it is relative
humidity
The Foehn is a warm and dry wind which which tells us about its possibility.
blows across the Alps in Europe during winter.
It helps in the ripening of grapes in France Condensation
The Harmattan is a warm and dry wind which When moist air rises upward, it becomes cool and
blows over north-west Africa. It gives some the water vapour changes into water droplets. This
the damp heat of the tropics. process is called condensation. Condensation takes
relief from
place around dust particles present in the air. The
Humidity important forms of condensation are dew, frost,
The amount of water vapour present in air is called fog and clouds.
humidity. It is closely related to air temperature.
The humidity of air can be expressed in two ways. Dew
They are: During the long winter nights, grasses, leaves, 25
 falls below freezig point,
iny jce
rystal
formed in place of waler droplets. This t
are

called frost.

Clouds
When droplets condense around dust or
water
mass thus formed
smoke particles in the air, the
move trom one place to
is called cloud. Clouds
another even by light air movement. Depending
and the height at which they are
upon their shape
formed, there are three main types of clouds. These
Cirrus clouds
are cirrus, stratus and cumulus clouds.
The cirrus clouds are formed at high altitude.

They have hair-like appearance. They contain

tiny ice crystals and indicate dry weather.
They reflect brilliant colours during sunrise or
sunset.
The stratus clouds are low level clouds. They
have uniform layers. They provide rain or snow
which are mostly accompanied by thunder and
lightning.
The cumulus clouds are dense and widespread.
They have flat bases. They are mostly associated
Stratus clouds
with fair weather, but sometinmes they may
become thunder clouds.
The rain-bearing clouds are generally low level
clouds and are given the prefix or suffix nimbus.
The word nimbus is derived from a Latin word
which means rainy cloud. Cumulonimbus is an
example of rain-bearing cloud.

QUICK QUIZ

The horizontal movement of air is

called
The
Cumulus clouds (monsoon/trade) winds are
planetary winds.
flowers and sand particles cool down due 8 The land breeze blows
during the day.
to radiation. When the moist air comes in True or False?
contact with such cold surfaces, the water vapour What is humidity?
condenses on them. The water droplets thus
6 Name a
rain-bearing cloud.
formed are called dew. However, if the temperature
26
 Precipitation and with depressions in the temperate regions.
all
When water droplets join together, they grow in In tropical cyclones,the winds blow from
directions towards the centre of the
size until they are unable to float in the air. Then low pressure

they fall as water drops or flakes of snow. This area. The winds develop a spiral motion of great
process is called precipitation. The main forms of rise up. If the
speed. This causes the whirling air to
lead
precipitation are rain, drizzle, hail and snow. air is moist, then the sudden uplifting may

AIR COOLS AND FORMS

Rain CLOUDS
When precipitation occurs in the form of water
drops, it is called rain. Rain is the most important LEEWARD SIDE
form of precipitation. Depending upon how warm WINDWARD
SIDE
(RAINSHADow
AREA)
and moist air cools, rainfall can be classified into
DRY AIR
three types. They are: DESCENDS
Orographicrainfall MOIST AIR.RISES
ALONGMOUNTAIN
Convectionalrainfall SLOPE

Cyclonic or frontal rainfall

Orographic rainfall When a mountain hill

or a Fig. 3-7 Orographic rainfall

comes in the path of moisture-laden winds, the

moist air mass is forced to ascend along its slope.
AIR COOLS AND FORMSS
As the moist air mass rises, cooling takes place. CLOUDS
This is followed by condensation and precipitation.
This is called orographic rainfall or relief rainfall
(see Fig. 3.7). The windward side of a mountain
gets more rainfall than the leeward side. On
the leeward side, the air descends and becomes WARM AIR
RISES
warmer. Thus, the leeward side gets less rainfall
and is known as the rainshadow area.

Convectional rainfall When air comes in contact

with the hot surface of the earth, it gets heated, Fig.3.8 Convectional rainfall
becomes light and rises in the form of air current.
After the warm air current reaches the upper
layers of the atmosphere, it expands and loses
heat. This leads to condensation and the formation
of cumulus clouds. These clouds give sudden
and heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and

lightning. This is called convectional rainfall

(see Fig. 3.8). It is experienced every day in the
equatorial region. ) COLD
AIR
Cyclonic rainfall Cyclonic rainfall is generally
associated with cyclones in the tropical regions Fig. 3-9 Frontal rainfall
27
 Hailstones are lumps of ice which fall with rain during thunderstorms. They cause damage to crops. (Inset: Close up of hailstones)

to condensation of moisture and rainfall. This is to a much higher altitude, they freeze and form ice
called cyclonic rainfall. pellets. When these ice pellets fall down and are
In the temperate regions, when warm and lifted again, a layer of frozen water is added around
cold air masses meet, the lighter warm air mass the ice pellets. These ice pellets grow in size and
overrides the cold air mass. The boundary between weight. When the upward air current cannot hold
the two air masses is called front. Condensation them in air, they fall as hailstones.
takes place in the warm air mass and rainfall
occurs along the path of the cyclone. This type Snow
of rainfall is called frontal rainfall. It is common When air temperature is below freezing point, the
in the belt of the westerlies, especially in winter water vapour present in clouds condenses to form
(see Fig. 3.9). tiny ice crystals called snow. These tiny ice crystals
join together to form flakes of snow. When these
Hail snowflakes fall, it is called snowfall. When snow
When the upward moving air carries water drops and rain fall together, it is called sleet.

sultry very hot and humid

NEW deflect to make something (here, wind) change direction
wORDS water droplet a very small drop of water
drizzle light continuous rainfall in which the rain drops are
of very small size
windward side the side of the mountains which faces moisture-
bearing winds and thus receives heavy rainfall
depression intense low pressure system

28