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Meteorology Facts

Meteorology Facts
The scientific study of the atmosphere which allows for weather forecasting is called meteorology. Although the field has been studied for millennia, there were no real breakthroughs until the 1700s. In the second half of the 1900s, once the computer was invented, weather forecasting became more achievable. The phenomena studied in meteorology are variables in the atmosphere on earth including water vapor, air pressure and temperature. It includes the study of weather and climate systems and their impact globally, regionally and locally. Meteorology is useful to many fields including agriculture, transport, construction, the military and even energy production. It is also very valuable to the tourism industry.
Interesting Meteorology Facts:
Meteorology means ‘in the sky' and ‘study', coming from the Greek words ‘meteoros' and ‘logia'.
Aristotle wrote about meteorology in approximately 350BC. He is considered by many to be meteorology's founder.
Theophrastus, another ancient Greek, wrote a book called The Book of Signs. It was a book about forecasting the weather.
The first daily weather forecast ever printed appeared in the London Times in 1861.
Meteorology is useful during forest fire seasons.
Many movies have been made with meteorology being the basis for the action. Some of these movies include Twister, The Day After Tomorrow, The Perfect Storm, and even Groundhog Day.
The wind, water vapor, air pressure and temperature changes are all studied to help make weather predictions.
Meteorologists mostly study the lowest part of the atmosphere, called the troposphere, as the higher layers only have minimal influence on the earth's surface weather. The higher levels tend to only influence the weather on earth's surface during extreme weather such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
Meteorologists gather information from weather satellites to make forecasts, but they also use simple instruments such as thermometers.
Some people believe that crickets can predict how strong a weather system is coming. The more frequent the chirps, the stronger the approaching weather.
Meteorologists can track weather and make predictions that can help to save lives. They are able to warn people of dangerous approaching weather, which can often help them to leave the area of prepare for the coming storm.
Meteorologists use computers to help them make both short and long term weather predictions.
Meteorologists do a lot of research about the earth's weather, including research into global warming, and how the weather is being affected by pollution.
Meteorologists also study tornadoes and hurricanes to help understand why they form.
Computers cannot do everything that meteorologists can do, so they cannot completely replace them. Humans are still needed to choose the best method of predicting weather.
To predict weather, a person must have pattern recognition skills, as well as knowledge of forecast model performance and biases, among many other things.
Even the stock market relies on weather predictions. Temperature and rain forecasts affect agriculture and therefore affect the value of commodities in the farming industry.
Air traffic controllers and crews rely on forecasts to help keep their passengers safe.
People that enjoy studying weather have many possible career opportunities, including becoming the Weather Man or Weather Girl on news channels.


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