Contemporary Climatology

by Henderson-Sellers; Ann

• ISBN13: 9780582276314
• ISBN10: 0582276314
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-06-09
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Now in its second edition,Climatologycontinues to provide an up-to-date stimulating and comprehensive guide to the nature of the earth's climate. It presents a synthesis of contemporary scientific ideas about atmospheric circulation. Topics covered include: -Energy systems-The hydrological cycle-General circulation, local and regional climate-Application of climate information-Use of satellite observations

Table of Contents

Preface to the second edition	viii	(2)
Preface to the first edition	x	(1)
Acknowledgements	xi	(1)
List of symbols	xii
Chapter 1 The scope and controls of the climate	1	(16)
1.1 The science of climatology	2	(2)
1.2 The development of climatology	4	(5)
1.3 Climatic elements	9	(1)
1.4 The climate system	10	(4)
1.5 Climatological space and time scales	14	(1)
Box 1.A Climate applications and impacts: the use of climatological knowledge	15	(1)
Box 1.I The climate observing system	16	(1)
Chapter 2 The Earth's radiation budget	17	(22)
2.1 The nature of radiation	17	(4)
2.2 Solar radiation reaching the Earth	21	(2)
2.3 Interaction of solar radiation with the atmosphere	23	(2)
2.4 Solar radiation at the Earth's surface	25	(6)
2.5 Terrestrial radiation	31	(1)
2.6 The global radiation budget	32	(2)
2.7 Surface radiation budgets	34	(2)
Box 2.A Application of solar radiation information	36-8	(2)
Box 2.I Instruments and methods for monitoring radiation	26-8	(2)
Chapter 3 Energy and temperature	39	(17)
3.1 Surface energy budgets	39	(5)
3.2 Major surface types and their consequences	44	(1)
3.3 Temperatures at the Earth's surface	45	(2)
3.4 The temperature structure of the atmosphere	47	(2)
Box 3.A Applications of energy and temperature information	49-52	(3)
Box 3.I The measurement of temperature	52-5	(3)
Chapter 4 Moisture in the atmosphere	56	(19)
4.1 Evaporation	57	(4)
4.2 Moisture in the atmosphere	61	(2)
4.3 Cloud types and distribution	63	(4)
4.4 Cloud formation	67	(2)
4.5 Hydrostatic stability	69	(3)
Box 4.A Application of moisture information	72-4	(2)
Box 4.I Monitoring water in the air	58-60	(2)
Chapter 5 Precipitation	75	(18)
5.1 Precipitation formation	75	(3)
5.2 Precipitation at the ground	78	(6)
5.3 Global precipitation distribution	84	(4)
5.4 The surface water budget	88	(3)
Box 5.A Applications of precipitation information	91-2	(1)
Box 5.I The measurement of precipitation	80-3	(3)
Chapter 6 Winds and pressure	93	(14)
6.1 Atmospheric pressure	93	(2)
6.2 Air movement around a rotating planet	95	(6)
6.3 Barotropic and baroclinic conditions	101	(4)
Box 6.A Applications of wind information	105-6	(1)
Box 6.I Measurement of pressure and winds	93-4	(1)
Chapter 7 The general circulation and global climate	107	(18)
7.1 The function of the general circulation	107	(2)
7.2 The nature of the general circulation of the atmosphere	109	(4)
7.3 Large-scale effects of the surface boundary	113	(4)
7.4 Climate classification and regions	117	(1)
Box 7.A Succinct and accurate climate descriptions	118-19	(1)
Box 7.I Combining and comparing observations	124	(1)
Chapter 8 Tropical weather and climate	125	(26)
8.1 Tropical climates -- the Hadley cell	125	(9)
8.2 Tropical climates -- the monsoon regime	134	(4)
8.3 Hurricanes	138	(7)
8.4 El Nino and the Southern Oscillation	145
Box 8.A Impacts: hurricanes and ENSO	142-4	(2)
Box 8.I Monitoring the ocean surface	148-50	(2)
Chapter 9 Extra-tropical weather and climate	151	(28)
9.1 The mid-latitude baroclinic zone	151	(4)
9.2 Mid-latitude weather	155	(7)
9.3 Mid-latitude climate regions	162	(8)
9.4 Polar climates	170	(3)
Box 9.A Applications old and new	173-6	(3)
Box 9.I Observational networks	176-8	(2)
Chapter 10 Local climates	179	(23)
10.1 Factors controlling local climates	179	(3)
10.2 Interactions between surfaces	182	(2)
10.3 The urban climate	184	(8)
10.4 The influence of topography	192	(6)
10.5 The influence of larger-scale atmospheric features	198
Box 10.A Airflow around obstacles: applications and impacts	188-91	(3)
Box 10.1 Defining and measuring local climates	200-1	(1)
Chapter 11 Human interaction with climate	202	(24)
11.1 The impacts of climate on humans	202	(12)
11.2 Human modifications of the atmosphere	214	(9)
11.3 Changes in the character of the surface	223
Box 11.A Climate impacts on an electric utility	203-4	(1)
Box 11.I Derived variables for practical use	210-13	(3)
Chapter 12 Climates of the past	226	(21)
12.1 Palaeoclimatic observations	226	(3)
12.2 Past climates	229	(7)
12.3 Mechanisms of climate change	236	(7)
Box 12.A Climate and long-term ecological change	243-4	(1)
Box 12.1 The use of proxy variables	245-6	(1)
Chapter 13 Modelling the climate	247	(20)
13.1 A simple global energy balance model	247	(5)
13.2 Global-scale climate models	252	(6)
13.3 Regional and local climate models	258	(5)
Box 13.A Spatial models for applications and impacts	263-5	(2)
Box 13.I Linking models and observations	265-6	(1)
Chapter 14 Climate, climate change and the future	267	(23)
14.1 Implications of climate variability and change	267	(5)
14.2 Climate forecasts	272	(4)
14.3 Scenarios of future climates	276	(12)
Box 14.A Estimating future climates for decision-making	288-9	(1)
Box 14.I Monitoring for climate change	281-2	(1)
Appendix A -- SI units	290	(3)
Appendix B -- Selected World Wide Web sites	293	(3)
Glossary	296	(8)
Bibliography	304	(8)
Index	312