Atmosphere, Weather and Climate

Introduction to weather processes and climatic conditions around the world.

This book presents a comprehensive introduction to weather processes and climatic conditions around the world, their observed variability and changes, and projected future trends. Extensively revised and updated, this ninth edition retains its tried and tested structure while incorporating recent advances in the field. From clear explanations of the basic physical and chemical principles of the atmosphere, to descriptions of regional climates and their changes, the book presents a comprehensive coverage of global meteorology and climatology. In this new edition the latest scientific ideas are again expressed in a clear, non-mathematical matter. New features include: extended and updated treatment of atmospheric models final chapter on climate variability and change has been completely rewritten to take account of the IPCC 2007 scientific assessment. new four-colour text design featuring over 30 colour plates over 360 diagrams have been redrawn in full colour to improve clarity and aid understanding. Atmosphere, Weather and Climate continues to be an indispensable source for all those studying the earth’s atmosphere and world climate, whether from environmental and earth sciences, geography, ecology, agriculture, hydrology, or related disciplinary perspectives. Its pedagogic value is enhanced by several features: learning points at the opening of each chapter and discussion topics at their ending, boxes on topical subjects and on twentieth century advances in the field.

1. Introduction and History of Meteorology and Climatology 2. Atmospheric Composition, Mass and Structure 3. Solar Radiation and the Global Energy Budget 4. Atmospheric Moisture Budget 5. Atmospheric Instability, Cloud Formation and Precipitation Processes 6. Atmospheric Motion: Principles 7. Planetary-Scale Motions in the Atmosphere and Ocean 8. Modelling the Atmospheric Circulation and Climate 9. Mid-Latitude Synoptic Systems 10. Weather and Climate in Temperate and High Latitudes 11. Tropical Weather and Climate 12. Boundary Layer Climates 13. Climate Change

Roger G. Barry is Distinguished Professor of Geography, University of Colorado at Boulder, Director of the World Data Center for Glaciology and the National Snow and Ice Data center, and a Fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences. The late Richard J. Chorley was Professor of Geography at the University of Cambridge.