Topics in climate science

The study of climate spans a range of connected topics, from the everyday elements of weather to the long-term changes affecting the planet as a whole. At its foundation are the basic ingredients of weather — temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind, cloud and precipitation — which interact in the atmosphere to produce the conditions experienced at any time and place. Climatology examines how these elements combine, on average, to give each region its characteristic climate.

A central theme is the behaviour of the atmosphere. Differences in air pressure drive winds, and the rotation of the Earth deflects moving air through the Coriolis effect, producing large-scale patterns such as the prevailing westerlies and trade winds, as well as local features like land and sea breezes. The concept of geostrophic wind describes the balance between pressure and the Coriolis force in the upper atmosphere. Clouds form when rising air cools and its moisture condenses, and meteorologists classify them into types according to their height and shape, each associated with particular weather.

Beyond present-day weather, climate science addresses how conditions shift over time. Climate change refers to long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns, while global warming describes the recent rise in average global temperature linked to increasing greenhouse-gas concentrations. Together these topics show how the same physical processes that govern a single day's weather also shape the climate of regions and the trajectory of the global system.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main elements of weather?

They include temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind, cloud cover and precipitation, which interact in the atmosphere to determine conditions at a given place.

What is the Coriolis effect?

It is the apparent deflection of moving air (and water) caused by the Earth's rotation, which curves the path of winds and helps shape global circulation patterns.

How are clouds classified?

Clouds are grouped into types based on their altitude and form, such as high wispy cirrus or towering cumulonimbus, with each type linked to particular weather.