WEATHER AND HYDROLOGY

Weather

the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it

is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or
cloudy.
Most weather phenomena occur in the
troposphere, just below the stratosphere.
refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and
precipitation activity.

Climate

the term for the average atmospheric conditions

over longer periods of time.

Hydrology

is the study of the movement, distribution, and

quality of water on Earth and other planets,
including the hydrologic cycle, water resources
and environmental watershed sustainability.
A practitioner of hydrology is a hydrologist,
working within the fields of earth or
environmental science, physical geography,
geology or civil and environmental engineering.

Water Cycle

also known as the hydrologic cycle or H2O cycle

describes the continuous movement of water on,
above and below the surface of the Earth.
Water can change states among liquid, vapor, and
solid at various places in the water cycle.
Although the balance of water on Earth remains
fairly constant over time, individual water
molecules can come and go, in and out of the
atmosphere.

The water moves from one reservoir to

another, such as from river to ocean, or from
the ocean to the atmosphere, by the physical
processes of evaporation, condensation,
precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and
subsurface flow.
involves the exchange of heat energy, which
leads to temperature changes. (slide 6)

in the process of evaporation, water takes up energy

from the surroundings and cools the environment
Conversely, in the process of condensation, water
releases energy to its surroundings, warming the
environment.
The water cycle figures significantly in the
maintenance of life and ecosystems on Earth.
By transferring water from one reservoir to another,
the water cycle purifies water, replenishes the land
with freshwater, and transports minerals to different
parts of the globe.
It is also involved in reshaping the geological
features of the Earth, through such processes as
erosion and sedimentation.
In addition, as the water cycle also involves heat
exchange, it exerts an influence on climate as well.

SOLAR AND EARTH RADIATION

Solar Radiation

the earths chief source of energy

determines weather and climate
Sun and earth radiate essentially as blackbodies
Radiation wavelengths are given in micrometers (m, 10 6)
Solar Constant

the total radiation energy received from the Sun per

unit of time per unit of area on a theoretical surface
perpendicular to the Sun's rays and at Earth's mean distance
from the Sun.
It is most accurately measured from satellites where
atmospheric effects are absent.
The value of the constant is approximately 1.4 kilowatts per
square meter.

Solar Radiation at Earths Surface

Insolation

incident solar radiation

Albedo
or reflection coefficient, is the diffuse reflectivity or
reflecting power of a surface.
It is defined as the ratio of reflected radiation from the
surface to incident radiation upon it.
The term is derived from Latin albedo "whiteness
Being a dimensionless fraction, it may also be expressed as
a percentage, and is measured on a scale from zero for no
reflecting power of a perfectly black surface, to 1 for perfect
reflection of a white surface.

Reflectivity
is the fraction of incident radiation reflected by a surface.
Measurement of Radiation
Actinometer and Radiometer are the general names for instruments
used to measures intensity of radiant energy.
Actinometers
are instruments used to measure the heating power of
radiation.
a chemical system or physical device which determines the
number of photons in a beam integrally or per unit time
The actinometer was invented by Sir John Frederick
William Herschel(March 7, 1792 May 11, 1871) to measure
the direct heating power of the sun's rays

Heat Balance of Earths Surface and

Atmosphere
- The Earths surface radiates at a mean
temperature of about 150C. This emission
has been estimated to be about 2 times
the solar radiation absorbed.
- Net loss of heat is prevented and a heat
balance maintained because the atmosphere
reflects back to the surface about 85% of the
emitted radiation. Were it not for this
greenhouse effect, the mean temperature of
the earth would be about -400C.

Radiometer

A radiometer is a device for measuring the radiant flux

(power) of electromagnetic radiation. Generally, the term
radiometer denotes an infrared radiation detector, yet it
also includes detectors operating on any electromagnetic
wavelength.

Crookes Radiometer

There are five types:

1. pyrheliometer
. is an instrument for direct measurement of solar irradiance.
Sunlight
enters the instrument through a
window and is directed onto a
thermopile which converts heat to
an electrical signal that can be
recorded. The signal voltage is
converted via a formula to
measure watts per square metre.
It is used with a solar tracking
system to keep the instrument
aimed at the sun

A research grade pyrheliometer

(1) protection cap,

(2) window with heater,
(3) sight,
(5) sensor,
(7) humidity indicator,
(10) cable for heater

Pyranometer
is a type of actinometer used to measure broadband solar
irradiance on a planar surface and is a sensor that is designed
to measure the solar radiation flux density (in watts per metre
square) from a field of view of 180 degrees.
The name pyranometer stems from Greek, "pyr" meaning "fire"
and "ano" meaning "above, sky".

Pyranometer

Pyrgeometer

A pyrgeometer is a device that measures the

atmospheric infra-red radiation spectrum that
extends approximately from 4.5 m to 100
m.

Pyrgeometer components

Pyrradiometer

Net Pyrradiometer

measures the net total radiation flux (solar, terrestrial, and

atmospheric) downward and upward through a horizontal surface.
It is suitable for solar energy studies in agriculture and
meteorology.

General Circulation
Some Important Terms:
Mean Daily Temperature
- Is the average of the daily maximum and minimum
temperature.
- Can be obtained by averaging 3-or-6-hour observation.
Normal Daily Temperature
- the average daily mean temperature for a given date
computed for a specific 30-year period.

Daily Range in temperature

- The difference between the highest and lowest
temperatures recorded in a particular day.
Mean Monthly Temperature
- The average of the mean monthly maximum and
minimum temperature.