Resource Key
When accessing content use the numbers below to guide you:
LEVEL 1
brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
LEVEL 2
provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.
LEVEL 3
lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Linked Databases
- World Book Encyclopedia This link opens in a new window
Online version of the complete reference work along with dictionary, atlas, links, magazines, historical documents, audio, video, images, and 3D photograph
- Britannica Schools This link opens in a new window Britannica School covers the core subject areas of English, Maths, Science and History. Interactive lessons, activities, games, stories, worksheets, manipulatives, study guides and research tools.
- Twig This link opens in a new window A collection of articles and videos on various topics including Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, Physics, Maths, Human Geography.
Meteorological Organisations
- BOM. (2017). Meteorological organisations. Retrieved from http://www.bom.gov.au/library/metorganisations.shtmlThis Bureau of Meteorology page contains a list of Australian and International meteorological organisations.
Introduction
Welcome to the Marine and Maritime research guide on Meteorology. Meteorology is the scientific study of atmospheric phenomena, particularly of the troposphere and lower stratosphere. Meteorology entails the systematic study of weather and its causes, and provides the basis for weather forecasting. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2017).
Weather Systems
TWIG. (n.d.). Weather systems [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www-twig-world-com.db.plcscotch.wa.edu.au/film/weather-systems-1153/
How Meteorology Works
- Lamb, R. (2017). How meteorology works. Retrieved from http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/storms/meteorology2.htmThree of the key atmospheric properties are air pressure, air temperature and humidity. To really understand what's going on, you have to be able to measure these conditions. For this reason, meteorology didn't really emerge as a science until the 17th-century inventions of the barometer, which measures air pressure, and a reliable thermometer, which gauges temperature. Before the 1600s ended, scientists also developed reliable hygrometers to measure humidity. These instruments, along with rain gauges, allowed for improved agricultural planning and sea travel.
Meteorology
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO). (2017). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://school.eb.com.db.plcscotch.wa.edu.au/levels/high/article/World-Meteorological-Organization/77493?opensearch=meteorologyWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO), specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) created to promote the establishment of a worldwide meteorological observation system, the application of meteorology to other fields, and the development of national meteorological services in less-developed countries.
- Hughes, P. (1995). The new meteorology. Weatherwise, 48(3), 26.Traces the history of American meteorology since 1920. Adoption of Vilhelm Bjerknes' theory of cyclone; Development of the US Navy's airship program; Meteorology's critical importance to naval aviation; Flying-weather forecasts; Meteorology pioneers; Use of cloud-movement and pilot-balloon observations; Advent of radiosonde; Weather Bureau upgrade. INSETS: Norwegian cyclone model, 1919, by P.H.;Private meteorology pioneers, by P.H.;Death of the dirigibles, by P.H.;Legalized murder, by P.H.
Key Words
- Coriolis force The Coriolis force is evident in the behaviour of ocean currents. For Earth, horizontal deflections due to the rotational induced Coriolis force act on particles moving in any horizontal direction. Because Earth rotates from west to east about its axis, an observer in the Northern Hemisphere would notice a deflection of a moving body toward the right. In the Southern Hemisphere, this deflection would be toward the left. As a result, ocean currents move clockwise (anticyclonically) in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise (cyclonically) in the Southern Hemisphere; Coriolis force deflects them about 45° from the wind direction, and at the Equator there would be no apparent horizontal deflection.
- forecast forecast - a prediction, especially as to the weather.
- maritime maritime - connected with the sea in relation to navigation, shipping, etc.
- meteorology meteorology is the science dealing with the atmosphere and its phenomena, including weather and climate.
- squall squall, as used by weather forecasters, a sudden wind-speed increase of 8 metres per second (18 miles per hour) or more, for one minute or longer. It includes several briefer wind-speed changes, or gusts. A squall is often named for the weather phenomenon that accompanies it, such as rain, hail, or thunder; a line squall is one associated with a squall line of thunderstorms that is often hundreds of kilometres long.
- stratosphere Stratosphere, layer of Earth’s atmosphere lying between the troposphere and the mesosphere. The lower portion of the stratosphere is nearly isothermal (a layer of constant temperature), whereas temperatures in its upper levels increase with altitude. The stratosphere extends from the tropopause at about 10 to 17 km (about 6 to 11 miles) altitude to its upper boundary (the stratopause) at about 50 km (30 miles), and it also contains the ozone layer.
- synoptic chart synoptic chart - a chart showing the distribution of meteorological conditions over a wide region at a given moment.
- troposphere Troposphere, lowest region of the atmosphere, bounded by the Earth beneath and the stratosphere above, with its upper boundary being the tropopause, about 10–18 km (6–11 miles) above the Earth’s surface.
BOM Marine Weather Definitions
- Bureau of Meteorology. (2017). Marine weather definitions. Retrieved from http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/about/marine-definitions.shtmlThe Bureau of Meteorology site contains marine weather definitions for wind, waves and time.
Progress of Meteorology in Australia
- CSIRO. (n.d.). RV Investigator: marine research vessel for Australia. Retrieved from http://www.cmar.csiro.au/RV Investigator: marine research vessel for Australia is a new state-of-the-art marine research vessel, supporting Australia's atmospheric, oceanographic, biological and geosciences research from the tropical north to the Antarctic ice-edge.
General Print Resources
Marine Studies For Australian Students by Call Number: 551.46 MOFISBN: 9781862830950Publication Date: 2009A guide to the Marine Studies course with practical exercises. Part A: Oceanography, Part B :Marine Biology, Part C: Management and Conservation.
An Introduction to Marine Studies by Call Number: 551.46 MOFISBN: 1862830444Publication Date: 2005A complete three year course for Australian middle school students. 384 colour fully illustrated pages, questions and assignment ideas