Mar 6, 20232 min read

Weather or Not: Predicting the Unpredictable

Farmington, CT. By Sudhiksha Kokkula

A picture of the types of weather conditions — Earth and the weather

The science of predicting and understanding atmospheric processes

Have you ever stopped to think about what causes the weather patterns we experience daily? Why do some days bring sunshine and clear skies while others are filled with rain, thunderstorms, and hurricanes? The science of meteorology seeks to answer these questions by studying the physics and chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere.

At its core, meteorology is the study of atmospheric properties and the processes that drive weather and climate patterns. From the microscopic processes taking place close to the Earth's surface to the global circulation patterns that transport heat, wind, and moisture across the planet, this fascinating field investigates the intricate interaction of physical and chemical forces that shape our atmosphere.

At the micro-scale level, meteorologists focus on phenomena with short lifespans that affect small geographic areas. This includes studying the transfer of heat, gas, and liquid between surfaces and the process between soil, vegetation, and surface water near ground level. By contrast, mesoscale meteorology encompasses phenomena ranging from a few kilometers to over 1,000 kilometers (approx. 621.37 miles). This includes studying mesoscale convective complexes (MCC) and mesoscale convective systems (MCS) responsible for producing heavy rainfall and flooding.

Synoptic scale meteorology covers an even larger area, spanning hundreds to thousands of kilometers. This includes the high and low-pressure systems seen on local weather forecasts. Understanding these pressure systems is crucial to understanding large-scale weather systems, from hurricanes to cold outbreaks. For instance, low-pressure systems can produce cyclones, whereas high-pressure systems can potentially bring extremely cold temperatures to a region.

Illustrates Hadley cells in relation to convection... — Convection and Hadley cells

At the global scale, meteorology explores weather patterns related to the transport of heat, wind, and moisture from the tropics to the poles. Global atmospheric circulation, which is primarily driven by Hadley cells (The low-latitude overturning circulations that have air rising at the equator and air sinking at roughly 30° latitude) plays a crucial role in distributing thermal energy across the surface of the Earth.

Meteorologists use various technologies to gather data and gain insight into these complex processes. Radar, for example, is a remote sensing technology that sends radio waves to bounce off particles in the Earth's atmosphere. This helps determine the horizontal dimension of clouds and precipitation and the speed and direction of cloud movement. Newer technologies, like dual-polarization radar, can even estimate precipitation with greater accuracy. Satellites are also essential tools for understanding global-scale weather patterns. The study of meteorology, which aims to comprehend our atmosphere's dynamic and constantly changing characteristics, is intriguing. We can learn more about the mechanisms that govern weather and climate patterns by studying atmospheric physics and chemistry. Meteorology is a crucial field that advances our knowledge of our planet and its weather, whether by exploring micro-scale processes close to the Earth's surface or studying global atmospheric circulation.