METEOROLOGY

CURRENT PRESSURE: 1013 hPa

WIND VECTOR: NW 15kt

Vertical Profile

500km+ // SPACE BOUNDARY

Exosphere

Atoms and molecules escape into space. Satellites orbit here.

85km - 500km // AURORA ZONE

Thermosphere

High energy UV absorption causes temperatures to rise to 2,500°C, though it would feel cold due to thin air.

50km - 85km // METEOR SHIELD

Mesosphere

The coldest layer (-90°C). Most meteors burn up here upon entry.

12km - 50km // OZONE LAYER

Stratosphere

Stable, dry air. Jet aircraft fly here to avoid turbulence. The Ozone Layer protects us from UV radiation.

0km - 12km // BIOSPHERE

Troposphere

Where we live. Contains 75% of the atmosphere's mass and almost all weather phenomena.

Energy Balance

Earth maintains a delicate thermal balance. Solar radiation enters, but some infrared heat is trapped by greenhouse gases.

INCOMING SOLAR

340 W/m²

→

ALBEDO (REFLECTED)

~30%

The Coriolis Effect

Because Earth rotates, moving air is deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere. This spin creates cyclones.

NORTHERN

Counter-Clockwise

SOUTHERN

Clockwise