Weather is defined as the state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, and other factors. Severe weather, therefore, would be an extreme of each of these variables.
Weather is dependent on several variables and can be quite confusing; while it is pouring rain in one place, the sun scorches another area. Obviously, weather is a very complicated phenomenon. In this article we will look at what makes up our weather.
WIND - defined as the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction. When cool air (high pressure) meets warm air (low pressure), the cool air will move to the warm air, and this creates wind. The larger the difference in temperature between the two areas of pressure, the faster the wind will blow. In meteorology, winds are often referred to according to their strength and the direction from which they are blowing. Short bursts of high-speed winds are called gusts. Long duration winds are given names to indicate their severity, or lack thereof, such as breeze, gale, storm, and hurricane-force winds.
TEMPERATURE - is determined by a degree of hotness or coldness measured by a definite scale. Atmospheric temperatures are governed by many factors and can have a drastic effect on the other variables of weather. Cool temperatures cause air pressure to drop, whereas warm air causes air pressure to rise. Temperature also affects air pressure at different altitudes. High-pressure systems generally bring warmer temperatures and dry weather. Low pressure systems typically bring cool, wet weather. When these two systems collide, the results can sometimes be catastrophic.
CLOUDS - are tiny drops or crystals of water that are so small and light they float. Clouds form from condensed water vapor. The altitude at which this occurs depends on the humidity and the rate at which temperature drops or rises. Although clouds are composed of ice and water, they don’t always appear as white or transparent; this is due to water’s reflective qualities, which are very effective at scattering light. This is why sunrises and sunsets can take on hues of yellow, orange, red, purple, and even pink. Clouds can be great indicators of weather conditions.
PRECIPITATION - is when water, in its many forms, is dropped from clouds. This is preempted by the water cycle. Water covers three-fourths of the earth’s surface. There are many forms of water—ice, snow, rain, hail, dew, fog, and steam. Most of this life source is sea water. Most precipitation comes from oceans, although cleaned of its salt and minerals.
All of these elements of weather seem fairly nonthreatening on their own. However, the right mixture of elements can be disastrous. Mississippi has certainly had its fair share of severe, even catastrophic weather.
James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their website is www.wildlifemiss.org.
