Weather
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224815625
2008-07-10T15:21:27Z
Thegreatdr
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/* Extremes on Earth */ Adding word annually
{{otheruses}}
{{For|the geological process|Weathering|Erosion}}
[[Image:Thunder lightning Garajau Madeira 289985700.jpg|thumb|250px|Thunderstorm, Garajau, [[Madeira]]]]
The '''weather''' is a set of all the [[Phenomenon|phenomena]] in a given [[atmosphere]] at a given [[time]].<ref>Merriam-Webster Dictionary. [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weather Weather.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-27]].</ref> Weather phenomena lie in the [[hydrosphere]] and [[troposphere]].<ref>Glossary of Meteorology. [http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?p=1&query=hydrosphere&submit=Search Hydrosphere.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-27]].</ref><ref name="trop">Glossary of Meteorology. [http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/browse?s=t&p=51 Troposphere.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-27]].</ref> Weather refers to current activity, as opposed to the term [[climate]], which refers to the average atmospheric conditions over longer periods of time.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | title = Climate | encyclopedia = Glossary of Meteorology | publisher = [[American Meteorological Society]] | url = http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=climate1 | accessdate = 2008-05-14 }}</ref> When used without qualification, "weather" is understood to be the weather of [[Earth]].
Weather occurs due to density (temperature and moisture) differences between one place to another. These differences can occur due to the sun angle at any particular spot, which varies by latitude from the tropics. The strong temperature contrast between polar and tropical air gives rise to the [[jet stream]]. Weather systems in the [[mid-latitudes]], such as [[extratropical cyclone]]s, are caused by instabilities of the jet stream flow. Because the Earth's [[Earth's rotation|axis]] is tilted relative to its orbital plane, [[sunlight]] is incident at different angles at different times of the year. On Earth's surface, temperatures usually range ±40 °C (±72 °F) annually. Over thousands to hundreds of thousands of years, changes in Earth's orbit affect the amount and distribution of solar energy received by the Earth and influence long-term climate.
Surface [[temperature]] differences in turn cause pressure differences. Higher altitudes are cooler than lower altitudes due to differences in compressional heating. Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]] for a future time and a given location. The [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]] is a [[chaos theory|chaotic system]], so small changes to one part of the system can grow to have large effects on the system as a whole. Human attempts to [[weather control|control the weather]] have occurred throughout human history, and there is evidence that human activity such as [[agriculture]] and [[industry]] has inadvertently modified weather patterns.
{{Weather_nav}}
Studying how the weather works on other planets has been helpful in understanding how weather works on Earth. A famous landmark in the [[Solar System]], [[Jupiter]]'s ''[[Great Red Spot]]'', is an [[Anticyclone|anticyclonic]] storm known to have existed for at least 300 years. However, weather is not limited to planetary bodies. A star's [[corona]] is constantly being lost to space, creating what is essentially a very thin atmosphere throughout the [[Solar System]]. The movement of mass ejected from the Sun is known as the [[solar wind]].
==Cause==
[[Image:Stormclouds.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[Stratocumulus cloud|Stratocumulus perlucidus]] clouds]]
On [[Earth]], common [[List of meteorological phenomena|weather phenomena]] include [[wind]], [[cloud]], [[rain]], [[snow]], [[fog]] and [[dust storm]]s. Less common events include [[natural disaster]]s such as [[tornado]]es, [[Tropical cyclone|hurricanes]] and [[Winter storm|ice storms]]. Almost all familiar weather phenomena occur in the troposphere (the lower part of the atmosphere).<ref name="trop">Glossary of Meteorology. [http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/browse?s=t&p=51 Troposphere.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-27]].</ref> Weather does occur in the [[stratosphere]] and can affect weather lower down in the troposphere, but the exact mechanisms are poorly understood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/20011018windsurface.html|title=Weather Forecasters May Look Sky-high For Answers|last=O'Carroll|first=Cynthia M.|publisher=[[Goddard Space Flight Center]] (NASA)|date=2001-10-18}}</ref>
Weather occurs primarily due to density (temperature and moisture) differences between one place to another. These differences can occur due to the sun angle at any particular spot, which varies by latitude from the tropics. In other words, the farther from the tropics you lie, the lower the sun angle is, which causes those locations to be cooler due to the indirect sunlight.<ref>[[NASA]]. [http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/weather_worldbook.html World Book at NASA: Weather.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-27]].</ref> The strong temperature contrast between polar and tropical air gives rise to the [[jet stream]].<ref name="Stimac">John P. Stimac. [http://www.ux1.eiu.edu/~cfjps/1400/pressure_wind.html Air pressure and wind.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-08]].</ref> Weather systems in the mid-latitudes, such as [[extratropical cyclone]]s, are caused by instabilities of the jet stream flow (see [[baroclinity]]).<ref>Carlyle H. Wash, Stacey H. Heikkinen, Chi-Sann Liou, and Wendell A. Nuss. [http://ams.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1175%2F1520-0493(1990)118%3C0234%3AARCEDG%3E2.0.CO%3B2 A Rapid Cyclogenesis Event during GALE IOP 9.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> Weather systems in the tropics, such as [[monsoon]]s or organized thunderstorm systems, are caused by different processes.
Because the Earth's [[Earth's rotation|axis]] is tilted relative to its orbital plane, [[sunlight]] is incident at different angles at different times of the year. In June the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, so at any given Northern Hemisphere latitude sunlight falls more directly on that spot than in December (see [[Effect of sun angle on climate]]).<ref>Windows to the Universe. [http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/climate/cli_seasons.html Earth's Tilt Is the Reason for the Seasons!] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> This effect causes [[season]]s. Over thousands to hundreds of thousands of years, changes in Earth's orbital parameters affect the amount and distribution of solar energy received by the Earth and influence long-term climate (see [[Milankovitch cycles]]).<ref>Milankovitch, Milutin. Canon of Insolation and the Ice Age Problem. Zavod za Udz̆benike i Nastavna Sredstva: Belgrade, 1941. Isbn=8617066199.</ref>
Uneven solar heating (the formation of zones of temperature and moisture gradients, or [[frontogenesis]]) can also be due to the weather itself in the form of cloudiness and precipitation.<ref>Ron W. Przybylinski. [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/science/pdfppt/ron.ppt The Concept of Frontogenesis and its Application to Winter Weather Forecasting.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> Higher altitudes are cooler than lower altitudes, which is explained by the [[lapse rate]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Mark Zachary Jacobson|title=Fundamentals of Atmospheric Modeling|publisher=Cambridge University Press|edition=2nd Edition|year=2005|id=ISBN 0-521-83970-X}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=C. Donald Ahrens|title=Meteorology Today|publisher=Brooks/Cole Publishing|edition=8th Edition|year=2006|id=ISBN 0-495-01162-2}}</ref> On local scales, temperature differences can occur because different surfaces (such as [[ocean]]s, [[forest]]s, [[ice]] sheets, or man-made objects) have differing physical characteristics such as [[albedo|reflectivity]], roughness, or moisture content.
Surface [[temperature]] differences in turn cause pressure differences. A hot surface heats the air above it and the air expands, lowering the [[Atmospheric pressure|air pressure]] and its density.<ref>Michel Moncuquet. [http://www.lesia.obspm.fr/~moncuque/theseweb/tempioweb/node6.html Relation between density and temperature.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> The resulting horizontal [[pressure gradient]] accelerates the air from high to low pressure, creating [[wind]], and Earth's rotation then causes curvature of the flow via the [[Coriolis effect]].<ref>Encyclopedia of Earth. [http://www.eoearth.org/article/Wind Wind.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> The simple systems thus formed can then display [[Emergence|emergent behaviour]] to produce more [[Pressure system|complex systems]] and thus other weather phenomena. Large scale examples include the [[Hadley cell]] while a smaller scale example would be [[sea breeze|coastal breezes]].
The [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]] is a [[chaos theory|chaotic system]], so small changes to one part of the system can grow to have large effects on the system as a whole.<ref>Spencer Weart. [http://www.aip.org/history/climate/chaos.htm The Discovery of Global Warming.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> This makes it difficult to accurately predict weather more than a few days in advance, though [[weather forecasting|weather forecasters]] are continually working to extend this limit through the scientific study of weather, [[meteorology]]. It is theoretically impossible to make useful day-to-day predictions more than about two weeks ahead, imposing an upper limit to potential for improved prediction skill.<ref>[http://okdk.kishou.go.jp/library/training/Seasonal%20Forecasts%20and%20Predictability.doc]</ref>
Chaos theory says that the slightest variation in the motion of the ground can grow with time. This idea is sometimes called the [[butterfly effect]], from the idea that the motions caused by the flapping wings of a butterfly eventually could produce marked changes in the state of the atmosphere. Because of this sensitivity to small changes it will never be possible to make perfect forecasts, although there still is much potential for improvement.
The [[sun]] and [[oceans]] can also affect the weather of land. If the sun heats up ocean waters for a period of time, water can evaporate. Once evaporated into the air, the moisture can spread throughout nearby land, thus making it cooler.
==Shaping the planet Earth==
{{Main article|Weathering}}
Weather is one of the fundamental processes that shape the Earth. The process of weathering breaks down rocks and soils into smaller fragments and then into their constituent substances.<ref>[[NASA]]. [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/odyssey/odyssey-20080320.html NASA Mission Finds New Clues to Guide Search for Life on Mars.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> These are then free to take part in chemical reactions that can affect the surface further (such as [[acid rain]]) or are reformed into other rocks and soils. In this way, weather plays a major role in [[erosion]] of the surface.<ref>West Gulf River Forecast Center. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/wgrfc/resources/glossary/e.html Glossary of Hydrologic Terms - E.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref>
==Effect on humans==
[[Image:Navy-FloodedNewOrleans.jpg|thumb|250 px|Badly flooded New Orleans, Louisiana after strong Category 3 Hurricane Katrina.]]
Weather has played a large and sometimes direct part in [[History of the world|human history]]. Aside from climatic changes that have caused the gradual drift of populations (for example the [[desertification]] of the [[Middle East]], and the formation of [[land bridge]]s during glacial periods), [[Severe weather|extreme weather]] events have caused smaller scale population movements and intruded directly in historical events. One such event is the saving of [[Japan]] from invasion by the [[Mongols|Mongol]] fleet of [[Kublai Khan]] by the [[Kamikaze (typhoon)|Kamikaze]] winds in 1281.<ref>James P. Delgado. [http://www.archaeology.org/0301/etc/kamikaze.html Relics of the Kamikaze.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> French claims to Florida came to an end in 1565 when a hurricane destroyed the French fleet, allowing Spain to conquer Fort Caroline.<ref>Mike Strong. [http://www.mikestrong.com/fortcar/ Fort Caroline National Memorial.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> More recently, [[Hurricane Katrina]] redistributed over one million people from the central Gulf coast elsewhere across the United States, becoming the largest [[diaspora]] in the history of the United States.<ref>Anthony E. Ladd, John Marszalek, and Duane A. Gill. [http://www.ssrc.msstate.edu/katrina/publications/katrinastudentsummary.pdf The Other Dispora: New Orleans Student Evacuation Impacts and Responses Surrounding Hurricane Katrina.] Retrieved on [[2008-03-29]].</ref>
Though weather affects people in drastic ways, it can also affect the human [[Race (classification of human beings)|race]] in simpler ways. The human body is negatively affected by extremes in temperature, humidity, and wind.<ref>C. W. B. Norand. [http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/048/mwr-048-05-0279b.pdf Effect of High Temperature, Humidity, and Wind on the Human Body.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> [[Mood (psychology)|Mood]] is also affected by the weather.<ref>ScienceDaily. [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/10/041006082239.htm Warm Weather Boosts Mood, Broadens The Mind.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref>
==Forecasting==
{{Main article|Weather forecasting}}
[[Image:Day5pressureforecast.gif|thumb|right|250 px|Forecast of surface pressures five days into the future for the north Pacific, North America, and north Atlantic ocean.]]
Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]] for a future time and a given location. Human beings have attempted to predict the weather informally for millennia, and formally since at least the nineteenth century.<ref>Mistic House. [http://www.mistichouse.com/astrology-lessons.htm Astrology Lessons, History, Predition, Skeptics, and Astrology Compatibility.] Retrieved on [[2008-01-12]].</ref><ref>Eric D. Craft. [http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/craft.weather.forcasting.history An Economic History of Weather Forecasting.] Retrieved on [[2007-04-15]].</ref> Weather forecasts are made by collecting quantitative [[data]] about the current state of the atmosphere and using [[meteorology|scientific understanding of atmospheric processes]] to project how the atmosphere will evolve.<ref>[[NASA]]. [http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/WxForecasting/wx2.html Weather Forecasting Through the Ages.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-25]].</ref>
Once an all human endeavor based mainly upon changes in [[Atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]], current weather conditions, and sky condition,<ref>Weather Doctor. [http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/eyes/barometer3.htm Applying The Barometer To Weather Watching.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-25]].</ref><ref>Mark Moore. [http://www.nwac.us/education_resources/Field_forecasting.pdf Field Forecasting - A Short Summary.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-25]].</ref> [[numerical weather prediction|forecast models]] are now used to determine future conditions. Human input is still required to pick the best possible forecast model to base the forecast upon, which involves pattern recognition skills, [[teleconnection]]s, knowledge of model performance, and knowledge of model biases. The [[chaos theory|chaotic]] nature of the atmosphere, the massive computational power required to solve the equations that describe the atmosphere, error involved in measuring the initial conditions, and an incomplete understanding of atmospheric processes mean that forecasts become less accurate as the difference in current time and the time for which the forecast is being made (the ''range'' of the forecast) increases. The use of ensembles and model consensus help narrow the error and pick the most likely outcome.<ref name="Klaus">Klaus Weickmann, Jeff Whitaker, Andres Roubicek and Catherine Smith. [http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/spotlight/12012001/ The Use of Ensemble Forecasts to Produce Improved Medium Range (3-15 days) Weather Forecasts.] Retrieved on [[2007-02-16]].</ref><ref name="TBK">Todd Kimberlain. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/TropicalTalk.ppt Tropical cyclone motion and intensity talk (June 2007).] Retrieved on [[2007-07-21]].</ref><ref>Richard J. Pasch, Mike Fiorino, and [[Chris Landsea]]. [http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/NCEP-EMCModelReview2006/TPC-NCEP2006.ppt TPC/NHC’S REVIEW OF THE NCEP PRODUCTION SUITE FOR 2006.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-05]].</ref>
There are a variety of end users to weather forecasts. Weather warnings are important forecasts because they are used to protect life and property.<ref>[[National Weather Service]]. [http://www.weather.gov/mission.shtml National Weather Service Mission Statement.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-25]].</ref> Forecasts based on [[temperature]] and [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] are important to [[agriculture]],<ref>Blair Fannin. [http://southwestfarmpress.com/news/061406-Texas-weather/ Dry weather conditions continue for Texas.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-26]].</ref><ref>Dr. Terry Mader. [http://beef.unl.edu/stories/200004030.shtml Drought Corn Silage.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-26]].</ref><ref>Kathryn C. Taylor. [http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/C877.htm Peach Orchard Establishment and Young Tree Care.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-26]].</ref><ref>[[Associated Press]]. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE5DB1E30F937A25752C0A967958260 After Freeze, Counting Losses to Orange Crop.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-26]].</ref> and therefore to commodity traders within stock markets. Temperature forecasts are used by utility companies to estimate demand over coming days.<ref>[[The New York Times]]. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7D9123AF935A15751C0A965958260 FUTURES/OPTIONS; Cold Weather Brings Surge In Prices of Heating Fuels.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-25]].</ref><ref>[[BBC]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5212724.stm Heatwave causes electricity surge.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-25]].</ref><ref>Toronto Catholic Schools. [http://www.tcdsb.org/environment/energydrill/EDSP_KeyMessages_FINAL.pdf The Seven Key Messages of the Energy Drill Program.] Retrieved on [[2008-05-25]].</ref> On an everyday basis, people use weather forecasts to determine what to wear on a given day. Since outdoor activities are severely curtailed by heavy [[rain]], [[snow]] and the [[wind chill]], forecasts can be used to plan activities around these events, and to plan ahead and survive them.
==Modification==
The wish to [[weather control|control the weather]] is evident throughout human history: from ancient rituals intended to bring rain for crops to the U.S. Military [[Operation Popeye]], an attempt to disrupt [[Military supply chain management|supply lines]] by lengthening the North Vietnamese [[monsoon]]. The most successful attempts at influencing weather involve [[cloud seeding]]; they include the [[fog|fog-]] and low [[Stratus cloud|stratus]] dispersion techniques employed by major airports, techniques used to increase [[snow|winter precipitation]] over mountains, and techniques to suppress [[hail]].<ref name="AMS">[http://www.ametsoc.org/policy/wxmod98.html American Meteorological Society]</ref>
Whereas there is inconclusive evidence for these techniques' efficacy, there is extensive evidence that human activity such as [[agriculture]] and [[industry]] results in inadvertent weather modification:<ref name="AMS">[http://www.ametsoc.org/policy/wxmod98.html American Meteorological Society]</ref>
*[[Acid rain]], caused by industrial [[Exhaust gas|emission]] of [[sulfur dioxide]] and [[nitrogen oxide]]s into the [[atmosphere]], adversely effects [[lake|freshwater lakes]], [[plant|vegetation]], and [[building|structures]].
*[[Anthropogenic]] pollutants reduce [[Air Quality Index|air quality]] and [[visibility]].
*[[Climate change]] caused by human activities that emit [[greenhouse gas]]es into the air is expected to affect the frequency of [[extreme weather]] events such as [[drought]], extreme temperatures, [[flood]]ing, high [[wind]]s, and [[storm|severe storms]].<ref>[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc/regional/226.htm#extreme Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]</ref>
The effects of inadvertent weather modification may pose serious threats to many aspects of civilization, including [[ecosystem]]s, [[natural resource]]s, [[food]] and [[fiber]] production, [[economic development]], and human [[health]].<ref>[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc/regional/503.htm#overview Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]</ref>.
==Extremes on Earth==
{{main|Extremes on Earth|List of weather records}}
[[Image:Bratislava sun.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Early morning sunshine over [[Bratislava]], [[Slovakia]].]]
[[Image:Bratislava snowy.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The same area, just three hours later, after heavy snowfall.]]
On Earth, temperatures usually range ±40 °C (±72 °F) annually. The range of climates and latitudes across the planet can offer extremes of temperature outside this range. The coldest air temperature ever recorded on Earth is {{convert|-89.2|C|F}}, at [[Vostok Station|Vostok Station]], [[Antarctica]] on [[21 July]] 1983. The hottest air temperature ever recorded was {{convert|57.7|C|F}} at [[Al 'Aziziyah]], [[Libya]], on [[13 September]] 1922.<ref name="NCDC">[http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalextremes.html Global Measured Extremes of Temperature and Precipitation.] [[National Climatic Data Center]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-21]].</ref> The highest recorded average annual temperature was {{convert|34.4|C |F}} at [[Dallol, Ethiopia|Dallol]], [[Ethiopia]].<ref>Glenn Elert. [http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/MichaelLevin.shtml Hottest Temperature on Earth.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> The coldest recorded average annual temperature was {{convert|-55.1|C|F}} at [[Vostok Station]], [[Antarctica]].<ref>Glenn Elert. [http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/YongLiLiang.shtml Coldest Temperature On Earth.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> The coldest average annual temperature in a permanently inhabited location is at [[Eureka, Nunavut]], in [[Canada]], where the annual average temperature is {{convert|-19.7|C|F}}.<ref>[http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=Eureka&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=1750& Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000 - Eureka]</ref>
==Extraterrestrial with the Solar System==
[[Image:Great_Red_Spot_From_Voyager_1.jpg|thumb|250 px|Jupiter's Great Red Spot]]
Studying how the weather works on other planets has been seen as helpful in understanding how it works on Earth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/solar_system_weather_010306-1.html|title=The Worst Weather in the Solar System|last=Britt|first=Robert Roy|date=2001-03-06|publisher=[[Space.com]]}}</ref> Weather on other planets follows many of the same physical principles as weather on Earth, but occurs on different scales and in atmospheres having different chemical composition. The [[Cassini–Huygens]] mission to [[Titan (moon)|Titan]] discovered clouds formed from methane or ethane which deposit rain composed of liquid [[methane]] and other [[organic compound]]s.<ref>{{cite journal | author= M. Fulchignoni, F. Ferri, F. Angrilli, A. Bar-Nun, M.A. Barucci, G. Bianchini, W. Borucki, M. Coradini, A. Coustenis, P. Falkner, E. Flamini, R. Grard, M. Hamelin, A.M. Harri, G.W. Leppelmeier, J.J. Lopez-Moreno, J.A.M. McDonnell, C.P. McKay, F.H. Neubauer, A. Pedersen, G. Picardi, V. Pirronello, R. Rodrigo, K. Schwingenschuh, A. Seiff, H. Svedhem, V. Vanzani and J. Zarnecki | title= The Characterisation of Titan's Atmospheric Physical Properties by the Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument (Hasi) | journal=Space Science Review| year=2002 | volume=104 | pages=395–431 |doi=10.1023/A:1023688607077}}</ref> Earth's atmosphere includes six latitudinal circulation zones, three in each hemisphere.<ref>[[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]]. [http://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/overview/climate-climatic.html
OVERVIEW - Climate: The Spherical Shape of the Earth: Climatic Zones.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> In contrast, Jupiter's banded appearance shows many such zones,<ref>Anne Minard. [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080123-jupiter-jets.html Jupiter's "Jet Stream" Heated by Surface, Not Sun.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> Titan has a single jet stream near the 50th parallel north latitude,<ref>ESA: Cassini-Huygens. [http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Cassini-Huygens/SEMQO5SMTWE_0.html The jet stream of Titan.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> and [[Venus]] has a single jet near the equator.<ref>[[Georgia State University]]. [http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Solar/venusenv.html The Environment of Venus.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref>
One of the most famous landmarks in the [[Solar System]], [[Jupiter]]'s ''[[Great Red Spot]]'', is an [[Anticyclone|anticyclonic]] storm known to have existed for at least 300 years.<ref name="HaydPlan"> {{cite web
| title = Jupiter's Great Red Spot
| author = Ellen Cohen
| publisher= [http://haydenplanetarium.org/ Hayden Planetarium]
| url = http://haydenplanetarium.org/resources/ava/page/index.php?file=P0413jupispot
| accessdate = 2007-11-16 }} </ref> On other [[gas giant]]s, the lack of a surface allows the wind to reach enormous speeds: gusts of up to 600&nsbp;metres per second (about {{convert|2100|km/h|mph|lk=on}}) have been measured on the planet [[Neptune]].<ref name="Suomi1991">{{cite journal
| last=Suomi | first=V. E.
| coauthors=Limaye, S. S.; Johnson, D. R. | year=1991
| title=High Winds of Neptune: A possible mechanism
| journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] | volume=251
| issue=4996 | pages=929–932 | publisher=AAAS (USA)
| doi=10.1126/science.251.4996.929
| pmid=17847386
}}</ref> This has created a puzzle for [[Planetary science|planetary scientists]]. The weather is ultimately created by solar energy and the amount of energy received by Neptune is only about 1/900th of that received by Earth, yet the intensity of weather phenomena on Neptune is far greater than on Earth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/archive/releases/1998/34/text/|title=Hubble Provides a Moving Look at Neptune's Stormy Disposition|last=Sromovsky|first=Lawrence A.|publisher=HubbleSite|date=1998-10-14}}</ref> The strongest planetary winds discovered so far are on the [[extrasolar planet]] [[HD 189733 b]], which is thought to have easterly winds moving at more than {{convert|9600|km/h|mph}}.<ref name="Knutson">{{cite journal| url=http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v447/n7141/abs/nature05782.html| journal=Nature| volume= 447| pages= 183–186| month=10 May| year= 2007| doi= 10.1038/nature05782| title=A map of the day–night contrast of the extrasolar planet HD 189733b| first=Heather A.| last=Knutson| coauthors= David Charbonneau, Lori E. Allen, Jonathan J. Fortney, Eric Agol, Nicolas B. Cowan, Adam P. Showman, Curtis S. Cooper & S. Thomas Megeath}}</ref>
==Space weather==
[[Image:Polarlicht.jpg|thumb|right|250 px|[[Aurora (astronomy)|Aurora Borealis]]]]
{{main article|Space weather}}
Weather is not limited to planetary bodies. A star's [[corona]] is constantly being lost to space, creating what is essentially a very thin atmosphere throughout the [[Solar System]]. The movement of mass ejected from the Sun is known as the [[solar wind]]. Inconsistencies in this wind and larger events on the surface of the star, such as [[coronal mass ejection]]s, form a system that has features analogous to conventional weather systems (such as pressure and wind) and is generally known as [[space weather]]. Coronal mass ejections have been tracked as far out in the solar system as [[Saturn]].<ref> Bill Christensen. [http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/technovel_shock_041105.html Shock to the (Solar) System: Coronal Mass Ejection Tracked to Saturn.] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> The activity of this system can affect planetary [[atmospheres]] and occasionally surfaces. The interaction of the solar wind with the terrestrial atmosphere can produce spectacular [[Aurora (astronomy)|aurorae]],<ref>AlaskaReport. [http://alaskareport.com/science10043.htm What Causes the Aurora Borealis?] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref> and can play havoc with electrically sensitive systems such as [[Electric power transmission|electricity grids]] and [[radio]] signals.<ref>Rodney Viereck. [asp.colorado.edu/~reu/summer-2007/presentations/SW_Intro_Viereck.ppt Space Weather: What is it? How Will it Affect You?] Retrieved on [[2008-06-28]].</ref>
==See also==
{{sisterlinks|Weather}}
{{Atmospheric sciences}}
*[[Weather station]]
*[[Personal weather station]]
==References==
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{{reflist}}
==External links==
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*[http://www.ogimet.com/index.phtml.en Ogimet - online data from meteorological stations of the world]
*[http://weather.about.com Weather at About.com]
*[http://www.wunderground.com Wunderground (Weather Underground) - online forecast and personal weather station network]
*[http://rainradar.net RainRadar - Worldwide radar directory]
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{{Nature nav}}
[[Category:Weather| ]]
[[ar:طقس]]
[[be:Надвор'е]]
[[be-x-old:Надвор'е]]
[[ca:Temps atmosfèric]]
[[cs:Počasí]]
[[da:Vejr]]
[[de:Wetter]]
[[et:Ilm]]
[[el:Καιρός]]
[[es:Tiempo atmosférico]]
[[eo:Vetero]]
[[eu:Eguraldi]]
[[fa:آب و هوا]]
[[fr:Temps (météorologie)]]
[[ga:Aimsir (meitéareolaíocht)]]
[[gl:Tempo atmosférico]]
[[ko:날씨]]
[[hi:मौसम]]
[[hr:Vrijeme (klima)]]
[[id:Cuaca]]
[[is:Veður]]
[[it:Tempo atmosferico]]
[[he:מזג אוויר]]
[[ka:ამინდი]]
[[sw:Hali ya hewa]]
[[la:Status caeli]]
[[lt:Orai]]
[[mr:हवामान]]
[[ms:Cuaca]]
[[mn:Цаг агаар]]
[[nl:Weer (meteorologie)]]
[[ne:मौसम]]
[[ja:気象]]
[[no:Vær (meteorologi)]]
[[nn:Vêr]]
[[pl:Pogoda]]
[[pt:Tempo (clima)]]
[[ru:Погода]]
[[simple:Weather]]
[[sk:Počasie]]
[[sl:Vreme]]
[[fi:Sää]]
[[sv:Väder]]
[[vi:Thời tiết]]
[[tr:Hava (iklim)]]
[[uk:Погода]]
[[yi:וועטער]]
[[zh-yue:天氣]]
[[zh:天气]]