Familiarity and modern, sheltered lifestyles can dull our awareness of the ever changing sky above us. But an unusually colourful sunset or threatening storm can rekindle interest, admiration, and even fear. Even so, we generally fail to comprehend the enormous scale, power, and complexity of the
atmosphere. With the effects of global climate change becoming increasingly apparent, an understanding of the processes that underpin our weather and climate is vital.
Fundamentals of Weather and Climate offers an engaging and insightful treatment of the behaviour of the lower atmosphere
and takes a quantitative approach to describing the mechanisms involved. Beginning with an overview of the atmosphere and its components, the reader is introduced to the physics that drive weather systems, before setting these principles in the context of specific systems of differing scales and
latitudes. Finally, the text draws this information together in relation to the problem of anthropogenic climate change.
1. Introduction
2. Observations
3. The constitution of the atmosphere
4. The state of the atmosphere
5. Atmospheric thermodynamics
6. Cloud and precipitation
7. The dynamics of the atmosphere
8. Radiation balance and heat convective and
9. The atmospheric
engine
10. Surface and boundary layer
11. Smaller-scale weather systems
12. Large-scale weather systems in mid-latitudes
13. Large-scale weather systems in low latitudes
14. Climate and climate change
Dr Robin McIlveen was formerly a lecturer in Environmental Science in the Institute of Environmental and BIological Sciences at Lancaster University
Making Sense - Margot Northey and Joan McKibbin
Empirical Methods in Short-Term Climate Prediction - Huug van den Dool
Environmental Chemistry - Gary W. vanLoon and Stephen J. Duffy
Elementary Climate Physics - Fredric W. Taylor
