Define ‘weather’.
Weather refers to the day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere at a specific place, including factors such as sunshine, temperature, cloud cover, wind, fog, air pressure, humidity, and precipitation. It is concerned with short-term changes, ranging from a day to a week or slightly longer.
What is insolation?
Insolation is the incoming solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. It is the primary source of energy that heats the Earth and its atmosphere, influencing weather and climate patterns. The amount of insolation received at a place depends on factors such as the angle of the sun’s rays, the length of the day, and atmospheric conditions.
What is meant by atmospheric pressure?
Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above a given area on the Earth’s surface. It is measured in units such as millibars (mb) or kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²). Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude and varies with weather conditions. It is measured using instruments like barometers.
Write a short note on “Planetary winds”
Planetary winds are large-scale wind patterns that blow consistently in the same direction across the globe. They are also known as permanent winds and include the Trade Winds, Westerlies, and Polar Easterlies. Trade Winds blow from the subtropical high-pressure areas towards the equatorial low-pressure areas. Westerlies blow from the subtropical high-pressure areas towards the subpolar low-pressure areas in both hemispheres. Polar Easterlies blow from the polar high-pressure areas towards the subpolar low-pressure areas. These winds are driven by the Earth’s rotation and the unequal heating of the Earth’s surface.
What are “Isolines”?
Isolines are imaginary lines drawn on maps to connect points of equal value of a certain variable. They help in visualizing and analyzing spatial patterns and distributions. Common types of isolines include:
- Isotherms: Lines connecting points of equal temperature.
- Isobars: Lines connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.
- Isohyets: Lines connecting points of equal rainfall.
- Isohels: Lines connecting points of equal sunshine.
- Isonifs: Lines connecting points of equal snowfall.
