Atmosphere, Weather and Climate

by Roger G. Barry

Atmosphere, Weather and Climate provides a thorough introduction to weather processes and climatic conditions. Since the last edition, the recognition of the reality and possible effects of human activities on the environment has revolutionized attitudes to the study of atmosphere and of world climate. stressing the heat budget of the earth and the causes of the greenhouse effect, the authors turn to manifestations and circulation of atmospheric moisture, including atmospheric stability and precipitation patterns in space and time. A consideration of atmospheric motion on small to large scales and modelling of general circulation leads to a decision of the structure of air masses, frontal cyclones and weather forecasting on different time scales. The treatment of weather and climate in temperate latitudes begins with studies of Europe and America, extending to the conditions of their polar and sub-tropical margins. Tropical weather and climate are also described through an analysis of the climatic mechanisms of monsoon Asia, Africa and Amazonia, together with the tropical margins of Africa and Australia.

Genres: Geography, Science, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Reference, Physics, Earth Sciences

392 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1982

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got me through my MSc thesis!

[Mike Parkes]

Just skimmed this one briefly for comparison with "Essentials of Meteorology" by Ahrens. This volume is written from a UK perspective, and is at a slightly higher level, with a bit more math, though nothing really beyond high school level. It's probably a better choice as an intro text for science majors. It is focused more on large-scale weather and climate and does not have as much on the development of day-to-day weather events as the Ahrens book. The coverage of climate and weather throughout the world is relatively balanced, whereas Ahrens provides a lot more detail than this book on North American weather systems, but only cursory coverage of other areas.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely useful book, well illustrated with accessible and easy to follow text that doesn't over simplify or over complicate the subject matter. Each aspect of the atmosphere, weather and climate is dealt with in isolation then the links between each are discussed making it more comprehensible than other texts I've read