Understanding the Basics of Weather: Unraveling the Everyday Terminologies

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In our daily lives, we often encounter weather-related terms that make their way into conversations, media reports, and even our budget discussions. One such term is ‘vagaries', used to describe the unpredictable nature of the monsoon. But before we jump into attributing every shift to ‘Climate Change' let's grasp the basics of weather terminology and unravel the intriguing world of meteorological phenomena that influence our lives.

Rain Variability (‘Vagaries'):

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‘Vagaries' of the monsoon may sound like an intricate term, but its essence lies in the erratic behaviour of rainfall. Some years, we witness excessive rainfall leading to floods, while in others, droughts take over due to insufficient or absent rain. The timing and distribution of rainfall can be arbitrary, impacting regions differently even within a single year. These deviations in short-term rainfall were once attributed to ‘Climate Change'.

Distinguishing Weather from Climate:

Understanding weather and climate is crucial before pointing fingers at Climate Change. Climate refers to the average weather conditions over a span of 30 years, remaining relatively stable. On the other hand, weather can fluctuate significantly from week to week or even year to year. The famous quote by Mark Twain aptly captures the difference: "Climate is what you expect; weather is what you get."

Rain vs. Showers:

Deciphering the Nuances: The terms "rain" and "showers" often confuse us, leading to misconceptions about the amount of precipitation. While both indicate falling water, they differ in the way it falls. Showers are brief events, lasting minutes to half an hour, originating from cumuliform clouds like Cumulus or Cumulonimbus. They are hit-and-miss, pushed by the wind, causing uneven distribution. Rain, originating from stratiform clouds like Altostratus and Nimbostratus, covers a larger area and can last for hours or even days. The key difference lies in how they fall and the clouds they originate from.

Demystifying Low Pressure and High Pressure:

We often hear about "Low Pressure" and "High Pressure" systems, associated with weather patterns. These terms relate to the air's pressure and density in specific areas. Low-pressure areas lead to rising air, cloud formation, and precipitation due to condensation. In contrast, high-pressure areas cause sinking air, creating clearer and drier conditions as droplets evaporate. The Coriolis Force, a result of the Earth's rotation, influences wind spirals in these systems. Low-pressure systems rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, while high-pressure systems rotate clockwise.

Understanding these fundamental weather terms can empower us to comprehend meteorological events that shape our lives. It's essential to differentiate between weather variations and long-term climate shifts before hastily attributing every change to Climate Change. Let's delve deeper into the world of weather phenomena, demystifying the terminologies that color our conversations and impact our daily experiences.

Rajesh Kapadia is a retired businessman and a self taught meteorologist. He runs a popular weather blog Vagaries of Weather.