Tag: elements of weather and climate :rainfall and air pressure

A place, where weather conditions are constantly monitored and recorded, is called a weather station. All data related to weather and environment is recorded here. A weather station has sensors. Sensors include a thermometer to take temperature readings and a barometer to measure the pressure in the atmosphere. There are also sensors to measure rain, wind, humidity and more. Weather Station even has computers having internet connection so that data can be analyzed properly.

A barometer is a meteorological instrument which is used to measure atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure is balanced by a column of mercury in case of a mercury barometer. Mercury is used because its height can be precisely measured. A barometer can also be used to measure altitude because atmospheric pressure changes with distance above or below sea level. There are two types of barometers:- mercury and aneroid. 

Agricultural meteorology is the branch of meteorology that deals with the relationship of weather and climate to crop and livestock production and soil management. Agricultural Meteorology involves the integration of climatological and meteorological data and techniques into agricultural problems, such as crop production, soil moisture, moisture stress, and migration of pests. A good background in basic math and sciences is required.

Peninsular India experience peak summers earlier when compare to north India due to the apparent northward movement of the sun, the global heat belt shifts northward. In March, the highest temperature is about 38° Celsius, recorded on the Deccan plateau. In April, temperatures in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are around 42° Celsius. In May, temperature of 45° Celsius is common in the north-western parts of the country.

A climograph is a graphical representation of monthly average temperature and precipitation at a location. From this representation, one may observe the variations in elements, such as humidity levels, which help to indicate the pattern of elements of weather and climate. 

Raindrops start to form in a roughly spherical structure due to the surface tension of water. This surface tension is the "skin" of a body of water that makes the molecules stick together. The cause is the weak hydrogen bonds that occur between water molecules.

The westerlies are the prevailing winds in the middle latitudes between $35^{\circ}$ and $65^{\circ}$ latitude blowing from the west to east. The westerlies are strong especially in the southern hemisphere where there is less land in middle latitudes to cause flow pattern to amplify. The strongest westerly winds southern hemisphere is Roaring Forties which blows between $40^{\circ}$ and $50^{\circ}$ latitudes.

Wind is defined as the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction whereas breeze is the gentle wind.

Coastal areas experience less contrasts in temperature conditions due to moderating effect of the seas.  The large water bodies helps in moderating temperature. Water has a higher heat capacity than soil and rock, so the ocean takes much longer to heat and to cool than the land.