Practical Exercises in Elementary MeteorologyWard, Robert DeCourcy
Science
Practical Exercises in Elementary Meteorology
Ward, Robert DeCourcy
Meteorology
I. Study and compare the diurnal ranges of temperature as indicated by the
maximum and minimum thermometers, or the thermograph, in the instrument
shelter, in clear, fair, cloudy, and stormy weather, during winds and in
calms, in different months. Summarize your results by grouping them
according to the general weather conditions, and according to the months
or seasons in which the observations were made. For example, group
together and average the ranges observed on clear, calm days in winter; on
similar days in early summer or autumn; on clear days with brisk northwest
winds in winter; on similar days in early summer or autumn; on calm days
with overcast sky in the different seasons; on stormy days with strong
winds, etc. Study carefully the weather maps for the days on which your
observations are made. Pay special attention to the relation between the
diurnal ranges and the control exercised over these ranges by cyclones and
anticyclones through their winds and general weather conditions.
II. Observations of diurnal ranges of temperature at different heights
above the ground may be made by means of maximum and minimum thermometers
fastened (temporarily) outside of the windows of different stories of the
school or of some other building. These observations should be made out of
windows facing north, and care should be taken to check, so far as
possible, any draft from within the building out through the window during
the taking of the observation. If a fire escape is provided on the
building, the instruments may often be conveniently fastened to that.
Study the ranges under different conditions of wind and weather at various
heights above the ground, and compare these results with those obtained
under I. Notice the relations of all your results to the cyclonic and
anticyclonic areas of the weather maps.
The diurnal range of temperature in the air over the open ocean from the
equator to latitude 40° has been found to average only 2° to 3°. In
southeastern California and the adjacent portion of Arizona the average
diurnal temperature range in summer is 40° or 45°. Over other arid
regions, such as the Sahara, Arabia, and the interior of Australia, the
range also often amounts to 40°. Observations of temperature above the
earth’s surface, in the free air, made on mountains, in balloons, and by
means of instruments elevated by kites, indicate very clearly that the
diurnal range of temperature decreases with increasing elevation above
sea level. The results obtained at Blue Hill Observatory, Massachusetts,
by means of kites, show that the diurnal range of temperature almost
disappears, on the average, at 3300 feet (1000 meters).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account