Elements that form the totality of weather and climatic phenomenon are termed as elements of weather and climate. Temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, clouds, sunlight, are the major elements of weather and climate.
“Weather” is an average condition of atmospheric constituents or elements of a particular place in a day. While climate emphasis more on period of average atmospheric phenomenon in a specific geographical region.
Role and importance climatic elements
Balanced functioning of all the major elements of weather and climate is indispensable to make it as a genuine life supporting system.
But, nowadays, due to influx of human induced things, the natural equilibrium is at stake. So, careful analysis of all the major elements is prerequisite to stratergize proper action plan to ensure natural stability.
Understanding difference between weather and climate
Usually, though weather and climate both meteorological terms sense similar in meaning, but the nature and functions of these atmospheric concepts are considerably different from each other.
The major difference between weather and climate is that weather is an atmospheric phenomenon largely considered over a short period of time, especially, in a day. Whereas, to be called climate, such atmospheric conditions need to be unchanged over some decades or around 35 years.
Functioning of the major Elements of weather and climate
Now, let’s know the description of each element in detail.
Actually, same elements are used in both weather and climate. But, only difference is about period of time.
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Wind
- Sunlight
- Rainfall
- Pressure
- Clouds, etc.
These elements are subject to change according to the change in the order of respective elements.
1.Temperature –The master element of weather and climate
Temperature is a master factor, as well as major elements of weather. It is also a major determinants of humidity, pressure, and wind system.
For definition, it is just degree of hotness or coolness. Whenever the degree of temperature rise or fall, the other elements are also subject to change in the same manner.
Thermometer instrument is invented to measure the rise and fall of daily fluctuations.
2.Pressure — atmospheric pressure
You might have read or listened about the low and high pressure atmospheric conditions. It is made up of atmospheric gases which have certain weight. Due to this weight, it exerts pressure on the surface of the earth in accordance with weight and surface area.
Pressure is instrumental in formation of pressure gradient, wind system, temperature inversion, and adiabatic phenomenon. It is measured in the barometer instrument.
3.Rainfall — types of rainfall
Rainfall is a product of certain complex mechanism that range from evaporation, cloud formation to condensation and rain formation.
There are different forms and types of rain or rainfall. It may be drizzle, snowfall or hailstorm.
But, on the basis of origin, it can be called as Orographic, frontal, and convectional rainfall. Rain gauge instrument is used to measure the degree of rain.
4.Humidity — Relative, specific, and absolute
Humidity is another important element which is instrumental in the formation of convection currents and clouds. It incorporates a lot of latent heat from atmosphere and get released at the time of condensation.
On the basis of water vapor content in the air, humidity is classified as relative, absolute, and specific humidity.
Hygrometer is used to measure the humidity in the atmosphere.
5.Winds — planetary, seasonal, and local
Wind is a movement of mass of gasses in the defined direction. But, it’s speed, as well as direction is determined by various factors like, rotation and revolution of earth, temperature and pressure difference, etc.
On the basis of scale and period, winds are classified as,
- Planetary winds
- Permanent winds
- Seasonal winds
- Local winds.
Like others, winds also play greater role in the maintaining the global heat balance.
6.Clouds — cirrus, cumulus and stratus
Cloud is nothing but condensed mass of water vapor in the higher atmosphere. Clouds are also classified on the basis of height and size.
For example, cirrus clouds are located at greater heights with feathery look; whereas, stratocumulus is located at lesser level. These clouds are instrumental in different forms of precipitation.
These are some important major elements attributed to the origin of weather and climate.
Impacts of sea surface temperature
Climate change causes and impacts
Tropical cyclones in Arabian sea