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METEOROLOGY TODAY has for many years been one of the most widely used and authoritative texts for the introductory meteorology course. This eighth edition sees improvements in flexibility for instructors and strengthened learning solutions for students. Author C. Donald Ahrens has been widely praised for his ability to explain relatively complicated ideas so that even under-prepared students can understand them. The text's clear and inviting narrative is supplemented by numerous pedagogical features that help augment students' understanding. Introductory stories found at the beginning of each chapter draw students naturally into the discussion. In-chapter reviews help students master concepts while they study, and four types of end-of-chapter exercises provide opportunities for everything from further review to in-class discussion questions. In addition to these in-text learning aids, the eighth edition sees a complete integration with CengageNOW, the first assessment-driven and student-centered online learning solution created specifically for this course. CengageNOW uses a series of chapter-specific diagnostic tests to build a personalized learning plan for each student, allowing students to focus their study time on specific areas of weaknesses. Each personalized learning plan directs students to specific chapter sections and concept-driven multimedia tutorials designed to augment their understanding. The new edition is available in its original nineteen chapter "classic" version, or as a "core" version, which features only the most popular sixteen chapters. The "core" version sacrifices none of the detail that the course needs, but eliminates chapters that may not be directly covered in class. Looking for more flexibility? With the Cengage Learning TextChoice custom solution program, instructors can select and reorganize chapters to perfectly match their syllabus, thereby creating the ideal text solution for the course.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Chapter 1 The Earth and Its Atmosphere(p. 1)
• Overview of the Earth's Atmosphere(p. 2)
• Composition of the Atmosphere(p. 2)
• The Early Atmosphere(p. 8)
• Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere(p. 8)
• A Brief Look at Air Pressure and Air Density(p. 8)
• Layers of the Atmosphere(p. 10)
• The Ionosphere(p. 15)
• Weather and Climate(p. 16)
• Meteorology-A Brief History(p. 17)
• A Satellite's View of the Weather(p. 18)
• Storms of All Sizes(p. 18)
• A Look at a Weather Map(p. 19)
• Weather and Climate in Our Lives(p. 20)
• Summary(p. 24)
• Key Terms(p. 24)
• Questions for Review(p. 24)
• Questions for Thought(p. 25)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 25)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 25)
• Chapter 2 Energy: Warming the Earth and the Atmosphere(p. 26)
• Energy, Temperature, and Heat(p. 28)
• Temperature Scales(p. 29)
• Specific Heat(p. 29)
• Latent Heat-The Hidden Warmth(p. 30)
• Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere(p. 32)
• Conduction(p. 32)
• Convection(p. 33)
• Radiation(p. 35)
• Radiation and Temperature(p. 36)
• Radiation of the Sun and Earth(p. 36)
• Balancing Act-Absorption, Emission, and Equilibrium(p. 38)
• Selective Absorbers and the Atmospheric Greenhouse Effect(p. 40)
• Enhancement of the Greenhouse Effect(p. 41)
• Warming the Air from Below(p. 43)
• Incoming Solar Energy(p. 43)
• Scattered and Reflected Light(p. 43)
• The Earth's Annual Energy Balance(p. 45)
• Solar Particles and the Aurora(p. 48)
• Summary(p. 51)
• Key Terms(p. 51)
• Questions for Review(p. 51)
• Questions for Thought(p. 52)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 52)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 52)
• Chapter 3 Seasonal and Daily Temperatures(p. 54)
• Why the Earth Has Seasons(p. 56)
• Seasons in the Northern Hemisphere(p. 57)
• Seasons in the Southern Hemisphere(p. 60)
• Local Seasonal Variations(p. 62)
• Daily Temperature Variations(p. 63)
• Daytime Warming(p. 63)
• Nighttime Cooling(p. 65)
• Radiation Inversions(p. 67)
• Protecting Crops from the Cold(p. 68)
• The Controls of Temperature(p. 71)
• Air Temperature Data(p. 72)
• Daily, Monthly, and Yearly Temperatures(p. 72)
• The Use of Temperature Data(p. 74)
• Air Temperature and Human Comfort(p. 77)
• Measuring Air Temperature(p. 78)
• Summary(p. 82)
• Key Terms(p. 82)
• Questions for Review(p. 82)
• Questions for Thought(p. 83)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 83)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 83)
• Chapter 4 Atmospheric Moisture(p. 84)
• Water in the Atmosphere(p. 86)
• The Many Phases of Water(p. 86)
• Circulation of Water in the Atmosphere(p. 88)
• Absolute Humidity(p. 89)
• Specific Humidity and Mixing Ratio(p. 89)
• Vapor Pressure(p. 90)
• Relative Humidity(p. 91)
• Relative Humidity and Dew Point(p. 93)
• Comparing Humidities(p. 96)
• Relative Humidity in the Home(p. 96)
• Relative Humidity and Human Discomfort(p. 99)
• Measuring Humidity(p. 99)
• Summary(p. 102)
• Key Terms(p. 103)
• Questions for Review(p. 103)
• Questions for Thought(p. 103)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 104)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 105)
• Chapter 5 Condensation: Dew, Fog, and Clouds(p. 106)
• The Formation of Dew and Frost(p. 108)
• Condensation Nuclei(p. 109)
• Haze(p. 109)
• Fog(p. 110)
• Radiation Fog(p. 111)
• Advection Fog(p. 112)
• Upslope Fog(p. 112)
• Evaporation (Mixing) Fog(p. 113)
• Foggy Weather(p. 116)
• Clouds(p. 117)
• Classification of Clouds(p. 117)
• Cloud Identification(p. 119)
• High Clouds(p. 119)
• Middle Clouds(p. 120)
• Low Clouds(p. 122)
• Clouds with Vertical Development(p. 123)
• Some Unusual Clouds(p. 126)
• Cloud Observations(p. 128)
• Determining Sky Conditions(p. 128)
• Satellite Observations(p. 130)
• Summary(p. 135)
• Key Terms(p. 135)
• Questions for Review(p. 136)
• Questions for Thought(p. 136)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 137)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 137)
• Chapter 6 Stability and Cloud Development(p. 138)
• Atmospheric Stability(p. 140)
• Determining Stability(p. 141)
• Stable Air(p. 141)
• A Stable Atmosphere(p. 142)
• An Unstable Atmosphere(p. 144)
• Causes of Instability(p. 145)
• Cloud Development(p. 149)
• Convection and Clouds(p. 149)
• Topography and Clouds(p. 152)
• Changing Cloud Forms(p. 156)
• Summary(p. 159)
• Key Terms(p. 159)
• Questions for Review(p. 160)
• Questions for Thought(p. 160)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 160)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 161)
• Chapter 7 Precipitation(p. 162)
• Precipitation Processes(p. 164)
• How Do Cloud Droplets Grow Larger?(p. 164)
• Collision and Coalescence Process(p. 166)
• Ice-Crystal Process(p. 167)
• Cloud Seeding and Precipitation(p. 171)
• Precipitation in Clouds(p. 172)
• Precipitation Types(p. 174)
• Rain(p. 174)
• Snow(p. 175)
• Snowflakes and Snowfall(p. 175)
• A Blanket of Snow(p. 178)
• Sleet and Freezing Rain(p. 178)
• Snow Grains and Snow Pellets(p. 180)
• Hail(p. 182)
• Measuring Precipitation(p. 184)
• Instruments(p. 184)
• Doppler Radar and Precipitation(p. 186)
• Summary(p. 187)
• Key Terms(p. 188)
• Questions for Review(p. 188)
• Questions for Thought(p. 188)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 189)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 189)
• Chapter 8 Air Pressure and Winds(p. 190)
• Atmospheric Pressure(p. 192)
• Pressure Measurements(p. 194)
• Pressure Readings(p. 196)
• Surface and Upper-Level Charts(p. 198)
• Newton's Laws of Motion(p. 202)
• Forces That Influence the Winds(p. 203)
• Pressure Gradient Force(p. 203)
• Coriolis Force(p. 204)
• Straight-Line Flow Aloft-Geostrophic Winds(p. 206)
• Curved Winds Around Lows and Highs Aloft-Gradient Winds(p. 208)
• Winds on Upper-Level Charts(p. 210)
• Surface Winds(p. 213)
• Winds and Vertical Air Motions(p. 215)
• Summary(p. 216)
• Key Terms(p. 216)
• Questions for Review(p. 216)
• Questions for Thought(p. 217)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 218)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 219)
• Chapter 9 Wind: Small-Scale and Local Systems(p. 220)
• Small-Scale Winds Interacting with the Environment(p. 222)
• Scales of Motion(p. 222)
• Friction and Turbulence in the Boundary Layer(p. 223)
• Eddies-Big and Small(p. 225)
• The Force of the Wind(p. 226)
• Microscale Winds Blowing over the Earth's Surface(p. 226)
• Determining Wind Direction and Speed(p. 230)
• The Influence of Prevailing Winds(p. 231)
• Wind Instruments(p. 233)
• Local Wind Systems(p. 236)
• Thermal Circulations(p. 236)
• Sea and Land Breezes(p. 236)
• Local Winds and Water(p. 239)
• Seasonally Changing Winds-The Monsoon(p. 240)
• Mountain and Valley Breezes(p. 242)
• Katabatic Winds(p. 244)
• Chinook (Foehn) Winds(p. 244)
• Santa Ana Winds(p. 245)
• Desert Winds(p. 247)
• Other Local Winds of Interest(p. 249)
• Summary(p. 251)
• Key Terms(p. 251)
• Questions for Review(p. 251)
• Questions for Thought(p. 252)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 253)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 253)
• Chapter 10 Wind: Global Systems(p. 254)
• General Circulation of the Atmosphere(p. 256)
• Single-Cell Model(p. 256)
• Three-Cell Model(p. 257)
• Average Surface Winds and Pressure: The Real World(p. 258)
• The General Circulation and Precipitation Patterns(p. 261)
• Average Wind Flow and Pressure Patterns Aloft(p. 262)
• Jet Streams(p. 263)
• The Formation of the Polar Front Jet and the Subtropical Jet(p. 267)
• Other Jet Streams(p. 268)
• Atmosphere-Ocean Interactions(p. 271)
• Global Wind Patterns and Surface Ocean Currents(p. 271)
• Upwelling(p. 272)
• El Nino and the Southern Oscillation(p. 274)
• Pacific Decadal Oscillation(p. 278)
• North Atlantic Oscillation(p. 279)
• Arctic Oscillation(p. 280)
• Summary(p. 281)
• Key Terms(p. 281)
• Questions for Review(p. 282)
• Questions for Thought(p. 282)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 282)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 283)
• Chapter 11 Air Masses and Fronts(p. 284)
• Air Masses(p. 286)
• Source Regions(p. 286)
• Classification(p. 286)
• Air Masses of North America(p. 287)
• cP (Continental Polar) and cA (Continental Arctic) Air Masses(p. 287)
• mP (Maritime Polar) Air Masses(p. 291)
• mT (Maritime Tropical) Air Masses(p. 293)
• cT (Continental Tropical) Air Masses(p. 295)
• Fronts(p. 296)
• Stationary Fronts(p. 296)
• Cold Fronts(p. 296)
• Warm Fronts(p. 300)
• Occluded Fronts(p. 302)
• Upper-Air Fronts(p. 305)
• Summary(p. 306)
• Key Terms(p. 306)
• Questions for Review(p. 306)
• Questions for Thought(p. 307)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 307)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 307)
• Chapter 12 Middle-Latitude Cyclones(p. 308)
• Polar Front Theory(p. 310)
• Where Do Mid-Latitude Cyclones Tend to Form?(p. 313)
• Vertical Structure of Deep Dynamic Lows(p. 315)
• Upper-Level Waves and Mid-Latitude Cyclones(p. 316)
• The Necessary Ingredients for a Developing Mid-Latitude Cyclone(p. 318)
• Upper-Air Support(p. 319)
• The Role of the Jet Stream(p. 320)
• Conveyor Belt Model of Mid-Latitude Cyclones(p. 322)
• A Developing Mid-Latitude Cyclone-The March Storm of 1993(p. 323)
• Vorticity, Divergence, and Developing Mid-Latitude Cyclones(p. 326)
• Earth Vorticity, Relative Vorticity, and Absolute Vorticity(p. 327)
• Putting It All Together-A Monstrous Snowstorm(p. 329)
• Polar Lows(p. 331)
• Summary(p. 332)
• Key Terms(p. 332)
• Questions for Review(p. 332)
• Questions for Thought(p. 333)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 333)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 333)
• Chapter 13 Weather Forecasting(p. 334)
• Acquisition of Weather Information(p. 336)
• Weather Forecasting Methods(p. 338)
• The Computer and Weather Forecasting: Numerical Weather Prediction(p. 338)
• Forecasting Tools(p. 338)
• Why Forecasts Go Awry and Steps to Improve Them(p. 342)
• Other Forecasting Methods(p. 345)
• Types of Forecasts(p. 347)
• Accuracy and Skill in Forecasting(p. 348)
• Predicting the Weather from Local Signs(p. 349)
• Weather Forecasting Using Surface Charts(p. 350)
• Determining the Movement of Weather Systems(p. 352)
• A Forecast for Six Cities(p. 353)
• Weather Forecast for Augusta, Georgia(p. 353)
• Rain or Snow for Washington, D.C.?(p. 354)
• Big Snowstorm for Chicago(p. 355)
• Mixed Bag of Weather for Memphis(p. 356)
• Cold Wave for Dallas(p. 356)
• Clear but Cold for Denver(p. 356)
• A Meteorologist Makes a Prediction(p. 357)
• Help from the 500-mb Chart(p. 357)
• The Computer Provides Assistance(p. 358)
• A Valid Forecast(p. 360)
• Assistance from the Satellite(p. 361)
• A Day of Rain and Wind(p. 361)
• Summary(p. 362)
• Key Terms(p. 363)
• Questions for Review(p. 363)
• Questions for Thought(p. 363)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 364)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 365)
• Chapter 14 Thunderstorms and Tornadoes(p. 366)
• Thunderstorms(p. 368)
• Ordinary Cell Thunderstorms(p. 368)
• Severe Thunderstorms and the Supercell(p. 371)
• Squall Lines and Mesoscale Convective Complexes(p. 373)
• Dryline Thunderstorms(p. 375)
• Gust Fronts, Microbursts, and Derechoes(p. 376)
• Floods and Flash Floods(p. 379)
• Distribution of Thunderstorms(p. 381)
• Lightning and Thunder(p. 383)
• Electrification of Clouds(p. 384)
• The Lightning Stroke(p. 385)
• Lightning Detection and Suppression(p. 387)
• Tornadoes(p. 389)
• Tornado Life Cycle(p. 390)
• Tornado Outbreaks(p. 390)
• Tornado Occurrence(p. 390)
• Tornado Winds(p. 392)
• Seeking Shelter(p. 392)
• The Fujita Scale(p. 393)
• Tornadic Thunderstorms(p. 394)
• Supercell Tornadoes(p. 394)
• Nonsupercell Tornadoes(p. 398)
• Severe Weather and Doppler Radar(p. 399)
• Waterspouts(p. 400)
• Summary(p. 401)
• Key Terms(p. 402)
• Questions for Review(p. 402)
• Questions for Thought(p. 402)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 403)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 403)
• Chapter 15 Hurricanes(p. 404)
• Tropical Weather(p. 406)
• Anatomy of a Hurricane(p. 406)
• Hurricane Formation and Dissipation(p. 410)
• Hurricane Stages of Development(p. 412)
• Hurricane Movement(p. 413)
• Eastern Pacific Hurricanes(p. 415)
• North Atlantic Hurricanes(p. 415)
• Destruction and Warning(p. 416)
• Devastating Hurricanes(p. 420)
• Modifying Hurricanes(p. 425)
• Naming Hurricanes(p. 426)
• Summary(p. 427)
• Key Terms(p. 427)
• Questions for Review(p. 427)
• Questions for Thought(p. 428)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 428)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 428)
• Chapter 16 Climate Change(p. 430)
• The Earth's Changing Climate(p. 432)
• Determining Past Climates(p. 432)
• Climate Through the Ages(p. 435)
• Climate During the Past 1000 Years(p. 437)
• Temperature Trend during the Past 100-Plus Years(p. 437)
• Possible Causes of Climatic Change(p. 438)
• Climate Change and Feedback Mechanisms(p. 439)
• Climate Change, Plate Tectonics, and Mountain Building(p. 439)
• Climate Change and Variations in the Earth's Orbit(p. 441)
• Climate Change and Atmospheric Particles(p. 443)
• Aerosols in the Troposphere(p. 443)
• Volcanic Eruptions and Aerosols in the Stratosphere(p. 444)
• Climate Change and Variations in Solar Output(p. 446)
• Global Warming(p. 447)
• The Recent Warming(p. 448)
• Radiative Forcing Agents(p. 448)
• Climate Models and Recent Temperature Trends(p. 449)
• Future Warming-Projections, Questions, and Uncertainties(p. 451)
• Questions and Uncertainties About Greenhouse Gases(p. 451)
• Clouds Get in the Way(p. 452)
• Possible Consequences of Global Warming(p. 452)
• In Perspective(p. 454)
• Summary(p. 456)
• Key Terms(p. 456)
• Questions for Review(p. 456)
• Questions for Thought(p. 457)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 457)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 457)
• Chapter 17 Global Climate(p. 458)
• A World with Many Climates(p. 460)
• Global Temperatures(p. 460)
• Global Precipitation(p. 461)
• Climatic Classification(p. 464)
• The Ancient Greeks(p. 464)
• The Koppen System(p. 465)
• Thornthwaite's System(p. 466)
• The Global Pattern of Climate(p. 466)
• Tropical Moist Climates (Group A)(p. 466)
• Dry Climates (Group B)(p. 472)
• Moist Subtropical Mid-Latitude Climates (Group C)(p. 474)
• Moist Continental Climates (Group D)(p. 479)
• Polar Climates (Group E)(p. 482)
• Highland Climates (Group H)(p. 483)
• Summary(p. 485)
• Key Terms(p. 485)
• Questions for Review(p. 485)
• Questions for Thought(p. 486)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 486)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 486)
• Chapter 18 Air Pollution(p. 488)
• A Brief History of Air Pollution(p. 490)
• Types and Sources of Air Pollutants(p. 491)
• Principal Air Pollutants(p. 492)
• Ozone in the Troposphere(p. 495)
• Ozone in the Stratosphere(p. 496)
• Stratospheric Ozone: Production-Destruction(p. 497)
• Stratospheric Ozone-Upsetting the Balance(p. 498)
• Air Pollution: Trends and Patterns(p. 499)
• Factors that Affect Air Pollution(p. 503)
• The Role of the Wind(p. 503)
• The Role of Stability and Inversions(p. 503)
• The Role of Topography(p. 508)
• Severe Air Pollution Potential(p. 508)
• Air Pollution and the Urban Environment(p. 509)
• Acid Deposition(p. 511)
• Summary(p. 513)
• Key Terms(p. 514)
• Questions for Review(p. 514)
• Questions for Thought(p. 515)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 515)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 515)
• Chapter 19 Light, Color, and Atmospheric Optics(p. 516)
• White and Colors(p. 518)
• White Clouds and Scattered Light(p. 518)
• Blue Skies and Hazy Days(p. 519)
• Red Suns and Blue Moons(p. 521)
• Twinkling, Twilight, and the Green Flash(p. 523)
• The Mirage: Seeing Is Not Believing(p. 525)
• Halos, Sundogs, and Sun Pillars(p. 527)
• Rainbows(p. 530)
• Coronas, Glories, and Heiligenschein(p. 533)
• Summary(p. 535)
• Key Terms(p. 536)
• Questions for Review(p. 536)
• Questions for Thought(p. 536)
• Problems and Exercises(p. 537)
• Questions for Exploration(p. 537)
• Appendix A Units, Conversions, Abbreviations, and Equations(p. 1)
• Appendix B Weather Symbols and the Station Model(p. 5)
• Appendix C Beaufort Wind Scale (Over Land)(p. 7)
• Appendix D Humidity and Dew-Point Tables(p. 8)
• Appendix E Instant Weather Forecast Chart(p. 12)
• Appendix F Changing GMT and UTC to Local Time(p. 13)
• Appendix G Global Average Annual Precipitation(p. 14)
• Appendix H Standard Atmosphere(p. 16)
• Appendix I Hurricane Tracking Chart(p. 17)
• Appendix J Adiabatic Chart(p. 18)
• Glossary(p. 1)
• Additional Reading Material(p. 1)
• Index(p. 1)