Weather and Climate - 9780816061693

Weather and Climate: An Illustrated Guide to Science is one of eight volumes in the Science Visual Resources set. Containing nine sections, a comprehensive glossary, a Web site guide, and an index, Weather and Climate is an ideal learning tool for students and teachers of science. Full-color diagrams, graphs, charts, and maps on every page illustrate the essential elements of the subject, while parallel text provides key definitions and step-by-step explanations.

The nine sections include:

• "The Atmospheric Engine" outlines the overall structure of Earth's atmosphere, its composition, and the global processes that drive its patterns of circulation.
• "Components of Weather" looks in detail at all the major weather phenomena, from winds to fog, rain to snow.
• "Weather Systems" provides an overview of the formation, movement, and interaction of large air masses and shows how these determine the local weather.
• "Extremes of Weather" looks at the range of weather phenomena across the globe, giving examples of the regions that experience extremes. Simultaneously energetic and destructive weather phenomena such as tornadoes and hurricanes are also covered in this section.
• "Meteorology" concerns the science of observing, recording, and predicting weather and climate.
• "Climate and Seasons" provides an overview of the major climate types and describes the crucial factors that determine climate at a particular location.
• "World Climate Data" gives the average monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine data of 83 representative cities around the world.
• "U.S. Climate Data" gives the average monthly temperatures, wind speed, precipitation, and sunshine data of 35 U.S. cities.
• "Human Impact on Climate" examines the evidence for the claims that human activity is changing Earth's climate. It also outlines the likely outcome of such changes.