Weather Observation Tells Us About Earth’s Atmosphere

Our environment, which we call weather, happens because of the never-ending weather changes between solar heat and the ecological envelope that wraps around our planet. Weather systems, often called fronts can create an astonishing colorful sky. Weather observation tells us about earth's atmosphere, which is colorless. Where do these amazing colors come from?

As sunlight streams into our atmosphere, it strikes dust particles and air molecules, which diffuse or scatter the streams of light. Weather observation tells us these light 'waves' begin shining in many different directions. The full light spectrum contains all colors, but some are shorter in length than others. Orange and red waves are longer than some. The violet and blue shorter waves scatter easier than the longer waves. Because of this, a mix of violet blue and green scatter across the sky causing other colors. Together they mix to make what we see as the color blue. You'll notice though that the sky is not always the same shade of blue. In fact, occasionally the sky doesn't appear blue at all. How blue the sky appears depends upon the mix of water vapor and dust particles.

Weather observation records clouds appear white, since they're composed of water droplets that effectively scatter the solar stream (colors). This lets the original white light of the sun become part of the temperature effect. In spite of this activity the thicker the clouds, the less light will pass through giving them a grey or black appearance.

We often see our sky change color during sunrise and sunsets. The sun appears low on our horizon, and makes the light appear to travel a greater distance through earth's atmosphere giving strength to the red and orange waves. These scatter then mix together with earth's pollution, ash, and dust. This mix makes these colors shine brighter at the rising or setting of our sun. That's' why there is more reds and oranges producing amazing colors. Some of the most spectacular occur at our equator because of the suns position and how their solar rays approach.

Weather observation sees cumulus clouds. As they remain stable, there won't be much rain. Weather changes occur as air masses colloid, creating weather fronts that interact with each other. You'll see the cumulus show off explosive behavior, which occurs, as the temperature changes. This activity is a definite sign of approaching thunderstorms with gusty winds.

The geological ground features in your region can affect your local weather. Systems move from west to east, but sea breezes in coastal areas often flow in every direction. Large thunderstorm systems draw air into themselves as fuel for their own weather system. Be aware of the wind direction around you in the out of doors. It can tell you what is happening overhead. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, weather systems approaching are often for told by falling barometric pressure with winds from the southwest.