Weather: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #506

by Storm Dunlop

From deciding the best day for a picnic, to the devastating effects of hurricanes and typhoons, the weather impacts our lives on a daily basis. Although new techniques allow us to forecast the weather with increasing accuracy, most people do not realise the vast global movements and forces which result in their day-to-day weather.In this Very Short Introduction Storm Dunlop explains what weather is and how it differs from climate, discussing what causes weather, and how we measure it. Analysing the basic features and properties of the atmosphere, he shows how these are directly related to the weather experienced on the ground, and to specific weather phenomena and extreme weather events. He describes how the global patterns of temperature and pressure give rise to the overall circulation within the atmosphere,the major wind systems, and the major oceanic currents, and how features such as mountains and the sea affect local weather. He also looks at examples of extreme and dangerous weather, such as of tropical cyclones (otherwise known as hurricanes and typhoons), describing how 'Hurricane Hunters' undertake thedangerous task of flying through them.We measure weather in a number of observations taken on the land and sea; observations within the atmosphere; and measurements from orbiting satellites. Dunlop concludes by looking at how these observations have been used to develop increasingly sophisticated long- and short-range weather forecasting, including ensemble forecasting.ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2017

Reviews

[Michael Tapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start of by stating that I am a big fan of the "Very Short Introduction" series. At the moment I'm on my 6th book in the series!

The author knows weather in and out but it comes across as boring and overwhelming in this book. I rec starting off with Mark Maslin's Climate. If Vert Short Intro makes a second edition of Weather I would buy that version too.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only understood roughly 60% of this book, but really enjoyed what I could comprehend.

[Gustav Jonsson Gullberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, for an introductory text it’s a bit too heavy on the technical side of things and doesn’t do a good job of explaining a lot of the more advanced concepts in an easy-to-understand way.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's making me look at clouds differently! I really enjoy this nonfiction series even though this particular title was over my head (ha ha).

[Maxim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weather - a short but comprehensive overview of a fascinating topic: how does circulation in the atmosphere work and why? What’s the role of water in the air and the ocean? How do weather systems develop and move? Why do weather patterns (think: monsoon) exist?

5/5

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Storm Dunlop clearly knows a lot about weather but sadly this was a bit of a bore. I felt like the information could have been stated in a more engaging way. Dragged my feet to finish it and nearly fell asleep a few times. I was really looking forward to reading this but it lacked a bit of oompf.

[Bruce Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting that Storm should write about weather.
This is a delightful melange of odd and unexpected information. Who knew that Alexander Graham Bell was concerned about fossil fuels heating the atmosphere and recommended solar energy?
That the Amazon is fertilised by mineral Saharan sands blown from Africa?
That ‘trade winds’ are not related to commerce, that the Rocky Mountains in the US are responsible for warmer Western European temperatures or that Alaska’s Aleutian Islands play a key role in northern hemisphere weather?
There’s more, of course, but Storm settled my concerns that the climate change cult had completely infected the Very Short Introduction series.
Some etymologies would have been nice. Wind and weather are cognates, as are cloud and clod.