Understanding Weather and Climate

by Edward Aguado, James E. Burt

Rising interest in climate change and severe weather phenomena are making meteorology courses more popular than ever–yet this fast-paced, one-semester curriculum is packed with complex physical concepts that can be challenging. In Aguado/Burt’s Understanding Weather & Climate , a first-rate textbook and inspired technology tutorials combine to engage students in learning about atmospheric behavior. The authors use everyday occurrences to illustrate meteorology and climatology. Dynamic illustrations from the book come to life in the new fully integrated MyMeteorologyLab website, where students have access to a variety of media and self study resources such animated tutorials, videos, and satellite loops of atmospheric phenomena. While staying true to the text’s rigorous and quantitative approach, the Sixth Edition incorporates the latest new science and issues, new technology and media to help both teach and visualize the toughest topics, with a more learner-centered architecture and design.

Genres: Science, Reference, Textbooks, Nonfiction

552 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1998

Reviews

[Tom M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very-well presented book and quite didactic. The subject is introduced progressively which lets the reader build the understanding of weather one brick at a time. Interesting links and references to illustrate or complement the theory.

Note that unfortunately, the book mainly focuses on US weather, except in later chapters about the global climate.

Beware though that there are blatant mistakes, such as "at constant pressure, density increases with temperature" or "near the surface, winds cross the isobars. Above the friction layer, wind is parallel to the pressure gradient". Fortunately those are obvious, but repeated in both the text and the summaries so they are not simple typos, which is more concerning and makes me wonder about possible mistakes I may not have seen.

The site with the digital material is no longer accessible, and I couldn't find any errata. Remaining a critical reader is advised.

(7th edition, 2015)

[Zohær · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really good intro to weather and climate, goes into some depth and physical background which so profs aren't willing to discuss during class time but is essential to understanding climate. Not too in depth but it does suffice at the intro level. Well written.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Textbook for Geography of Climates