Meteorology Understanding the Atmosphere

Written for the undergraduate, non-majors course, the Third Edition engages students with real-world examples and a captivating narrative. It highlights how we observe the atmosphere and then uses those discoveries to explain atmospheric phenomena. Early chapters discuss the primary atmospheric variables involved in the formation of weather: pressure, temperature, moisture, clouds, and precipitation, and include practical information on weather maps and weather observation. The remainder of the book focuses on weather and climate topics such as the interaction between atmosphere and ocean, severe/extreme weather, and climate change.

Chapter1 Introduction to the Atmosphere
Chapter2 The Energy Cycle
Chapter3 Temperature
Chapter4 Water in the Atmosphere
Chapter5 Observing the Atmosphere
Chapter6 Atmospheric Forces and Wind
Chapter7 Global-Scale Winds
Chapter8 Atmosphere-Ocean Interactions: El Niño and Tropical Cyclones
Chapter9 Air Masses and Fronts
Chapter10 Extratropical Cyclones and Anticyclones
Chapter11 Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
Chapter12 Small-Scale Winds
Chapter13 Weather Forecasting
Chapter14 Past and Present Climates
Chapter15 Human Influences on Climate
Chapter16 Climate Forecasting