Understanding Weather and Climate

by Edward Aguado, James E. Burt

Using everyday occurrences to illustrate meteorology and climatology, this first-rate reference works together with inspired technology tutorials to engage readers in learning about atmospheric behavior. Dynamic illustrations from the book come to life in the fully integrated website, where a narrator guides users through animated tutorials, video footage and satellite loops of atmospheric phenomena. Climate change science is updated and folded into atmospheric science coverage throughout the new edition to provide a report of scientific consensus and currency. This includes the findings presented in the fourth assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as well as how the members of the panel reached their conclusions.
Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere; Solar Radiation and the Seasons; Energy Balance and Temperature; Atmospheric Pressure and Wind; Atmospheric Moisture; Cloud Development and Forms; Precipitation Processes.
Atmospheric Circulation and Pressure Distributions; Air Masses and Fronts; Mid-Latitude Cyclones; Lightning, Thunder, and Tornadoes; Tropical Storms and Hurricanes; Weather Forecasting and Analysis; Human Air Pollution and Heat Islands; Earth's Climates; Climate Past and Future; Atmospheric Optics.
A useful reference for anyone who wants to learn more about Earth’s climate and weather.

Genres: Science, Reference, Textbooks, Nonfiction

608 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