Energy
gain
Earth
Energy Loses
Figure 3.1 A system, in this case the planet, will gain energy if the energy inputs exceed
the energy outputs. Earth gains energy from the Sun and losses terrestrial radiation to
space. (waves should have arrows, red ones pointing away, small yellow also away
from the earth.)
Turbulent Eddies
Figure 3.2 Changes in wind velocity with altitude near generate turbulence. These
turbulent eddies produce fluctuating vertical motions that transfer heat from the surface to
the atmosphere.
Figure 3.3 Temperature cycles are characterized by a maximum, minimum, and range.
35
85
30
25
75
20
65
15
55
10
45
Miami, FL (26N, 80W, 7 f eet)
New York, NY (41N, 74W, 13 f eet)
35
25
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
5
0
Average Temperature (C)
Average Temperature (F)
Effect of latitude
95
Nov Dec
Month
Figure 3.4 Comparison of the seasonal temperature cycles observed at Miami, FL and
New York, NY. (Include map inset of locations)
550
Incoming Solar Energy
500
450
400
350
300
250
Miami, FL (26N, 80W, 7 f eet)
New York, NY (41N, 74W, 13 f eet)
200
150
100
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
Figure 3.5 The incoming solar energy at the top of the atmosphere over Miami, FL and
New York, NY. The greater variation of incoming solar energy over New York explains
the larger amplitude in temperature annual cycle (Figure 3.4). (Include map inset of
locations)
Monthly av eraged temperature of a desert region
110
35
90
30
80
25
70
20
In Salah, Algeria (27N, 2.5E, 919 f eet)
60
15
50
Average Temperature (C)
Average Temperature (F)
40
100
10
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
Month
Figure 3.6 Deserts, such as In Salah Algeria, have a large annual temperature range.
Compare the annual cycle of In Salah with Miami, FL, which is nearly at the same
latitude. (Include map inset of locations, and include Miami FL temperature cycle)
Monthly average temperature (F)
80
25
70
20
60
15
50
10
40
5
30
0
-5
20
Mt. Washington, NH
(44 16N, 71 18W, 5727 f t)
Burlington, VE (44 28N, 73 09 W, 300 f t))
10
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
-10
-15
Monthly Averaged Temperature (C)
Altitude ef f ect
Month
Figure 3.7 A demonstration of the effect of altitude on the seasonal temperature cycle.
(Include map inset of locations)
Sun's rays
South
North
Figure 3.8 In the Northern Hemisphere the sun’s rays are more intense on a south facing
slope than one facing north. In the northern hemisphere solar panels face south to take
advantage of the increased intensity of the sun’s rays at the surface of the panel.
Figure 3.9 The trees are growing on the north facing slopes. Solar energy shining on the
south facing slopes are less favorable for these trees due to the lack of available water.
(Maybe add arrows as in figure 3.8 on south facing slope)
Effect of near by bodies of water
Average Temperature (F)
28.5
80
24.5
70
20.5
16.5
60
12.5
Dallas TX (33N, 97W, 481 feet, )
Los Angeles (34N, 118.5W, 97 feet)
50
8.5
40
Average Temperature (C)
32.5
90
4.5
Jan
Feb
Mar Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
Figure 3.10 A comparison of the seasonal temperature cycles of Dallas TX and Los
Angeles CA. (Include map inset of locations)
Effects of ocean current temperature
65
10
45
5
35
0
25
-5
15
-10
Holy Cross AL (62.2 N, 159.75W)
Trondheim, Norway (63.4 N 10.5 E)
5
-15
Average Temperature (C)
Average Temperature (F)
15
55
-20
-5
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
Figure 3.11 The winter warming in Trondheim Norway is due the Gulf Stream. (Include
map inset of locations)
Clouds reflect solar energy
and thus reduce warming
below cloud base
Clouds emit longwave energy
and thus increase warming
below cloud base
Figure 3.12 During the day clouds reflect solar radiation back to space and reduce energy
gains of the air below and the surface. Clouds emit longwave radiation and inhibit
cooling of the air below. (Draft)
The effect of cloud cover
22
70
20
66
18
62
16
58
14
54
12
Los Angeles (34N, 118.5W, 97 f eet)
San Fransico (37.7N, 122.5W, 48 f eet)
50
10
Average Temperture (C)
Average Temperature (F)
74
8
46
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
Figure 3.13 Clouds reduce the annual temperature range of a city. (Include map inset of
locations)
Figure 3.14 Temperature departures from the global mean temperature over the last
century. This is evidence that the average global temperature is increasing. Whether this
is a natural trend or a result of human activity is under debate.
Volcanic ash layer
Figure 3.15 Volcanic ash reduces the amount of solar energy gains near the surface,
causing a cooling.
Figure 3.16 The diurnal variation in temperature is primarily controlled by energy gains
from the sun and energy losses due to emission of infrared radiation. Temperature
increases when the energy gains exceed the energy losses, and the temperature decreases
when the net energy is negative. (See Ahrens's Essentials, figure 3.2 for an example).
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Figure 3.17 The diurnal temperature cycle extends only a short distance from the ground.
(We can break this up into a sequence of four pictures - 3pm, 8 pm, 5 am and 10
am.)
Figure 3.18 Photograph taken from the space shuttle of pollution over Mexico City. This
pollution is often trapped by a temperature inversion.
Figure 3.19 Cold air drains down the slope into the valley where pollution can get trapped
near the ground due to a temperature inversion near the surface.
Figure 4.20 The wind chill factor. Under windy conditions there are more molecules
removing heat from your body.