NATS 101
Intro to Weather and Climate

Lecture 7
Seasonality

Supplemental References for TodayÕs Lecture
Aguado, E. and J. E. Burt, 2001: Understanding Weather & Climate, 2nd Ed. 505 pp. Prentice Hall. (ISBN 0-13-027394-5)
Danielson, E. W., J. Levin and E. Abrams, 1998: Meteorology. 462 pp. McGraw-Hill. (ISBN 0-697-21711-6)
Gedzelman, S. D., 1980: The Science and Wonders of the Atmosphere. 535 pp. John-Wiley & Sons. (ISBN 0-471-02972-6)
Lutgens, F. K. and E. J. Tarbuck, 2001: The Atmosphere, An Intro-duction to the Atmosphere, 8th Ed. 484 pp. Prentice Hall.            (ISBN 0-13-087957-6)
Wallace, J. M. and P. V. Hobbs, 1977: Atmospheric Science, An Introductory Survey. 467 pp. Academic Press. (ISBN 0-12-732950-1)

Reasons for Seasons
Tilt of EarthÕs Axis - Obliquity
Angle between the Equatorial Plane    and the Orbital Plane
Eccentricity of EarthÕs Orbit
Elongation of Orbital Axis

Eccentricity of Orbit
Slide 5
Solar Zenith Angle
Depends on latitude, time of day & season
Has two effects on an incoming solar beam
Surface area covered or Spreading of beam
Path length through atmosphere or Attenuation of beam

Beam Spreading
Low Zenith - Large Area, Much Spreading
High Zenith - Small Area, Little Spreading

Beam Spreading
Atmospheric Path Length
Length of Day
Day Hours at Solstices - US Sites
Summer-Winter
Tucson (32o 13Õ N)     14:15 - 10:03
Seattle (47o  38Õ N)     16:00 - 8:25
Anchorage (61o 13Õ N)      19:22 - 5:28
Fairbanks (64o 49Õ N)      21:47 - 3:42
Hilo (19o 43Õ N)                 13:19 - 10:46

Path of Sun
Hours of daylight increase from winter to summer pole
Equator always has    12 hours of daylight
Summer pole has       24 hours of daylight
Winter pole has       24 hours of darkness
Note different Zeniths

Noon Zenith at Solstices
Summer-Winter
Tucson AZ (32o 13Õ N)    08o 43Õ - 55o 43Õ
Seattle WA (47o  38Õ N) 24o  08Õ - 71o  08Õ
Anchorage AK (61o 13Õ N)  37o  43Õ - 84o  43Õ
Fairbanks AK (64o 49Õ N)   41o  19Õ - 88o  19Õ
Hilo HI (19o 43Õ N)          3o 47Õ (north) - 43o 13Õ

Incoming Solar Radiation (Insolation)
at the Top
of the Atmosphere
Is Longest Day the Hottest Day?
Annual Energy Balance
Heat transfer done by winds and ocean currents
Differential heating drives winds and currents
We will examine later in course

Summary
Tilt (23.5o) is primary reason for seasons
Tilt changes two important factors    Angle at which solar rays strike the earth Number of hours of daylight each day
Warmest and Coldest Days of Year  Occur after solstices, typically around a month
Requirement for Heat Transport          Done by Atmosphere-Ocean System

Assignment for Lecture
Ahrens
Pages 55-64
Problems 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.14