A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...

Air and Climatology
Introduction
Climatology reflects a component of our ecosystem whose operating mechanisms are complex and impacts are
profound. Weather’s expressions includes precipitation of all forms, temperature, and wind. Geography, terrain,
vegetation, natural and human-derived chemical constituents are some of the principal participants. These, in
turn, affect air and water quality, flooding, droughts, flora and fauna and even human vitality.
The Atmosphere
As we continue our exploration from the crust of the earth upward, we find an heterogeneous atmosphere.
Distinct "layers" have specific characteristics. We begin with the troposphere wherein weather is formed. It
serves as insulation for some of the sun's captured energy as it radiates to and rebounds from the oceans and land.
With increasing elevation is a concurrent decrease in temperature. The upper extent of the troposphere, or
tropopause, is so cold as to cause migrating water vapor to condense or freeze, preventing further ascension
through the higher spheres. Next we proceed through the stratosphere where temperatures begin to climb due
to ozone production. Passing through the stratopause, we arrive at the mesophere which reverts to an ascending
cooling pattern. As we exit via the mesopause, we reach the outlying thermosphere.
Weather
Weather is driven by many factors, interacting on a global scale. In essence, our atmosphere is sectioned into
convection cells. These units contain perpetually cycling currents of air. The sun's energy, serving as the primary
mobilizer behind atmospheric circulation, provides intense solar radiation at the equator. The warmed air which
is less dense rises, spreads out and sinks with cooler air moving in from the poles.
This model of circulation receives continual influences, both globally and locally. The earth's rotation effects an
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Air and Climatology