Understanding Weather – Grade 7 Notes
1. What is Weather?
Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere at a place. It changes from time to
time.
Elements of Weather
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Rainfall
• Wind speed and direction
• Atmospheric pressure
2. Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the blanket of air surrounding the Earth. It protects us from harmful rays
and helps life survive.
Layers of Atmosphere
1. Troposphere – weather changes happen here
2. Stratosphere – ozone layer is present
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere
5. Exosphere
Diagram of Atmosphere
Explains the layer of the atmosphere from the book
3. Weather and Climate
4. Elements of Weather
A. Temperature
Temperature tells how hot or cold the air is.
Measuring Temperature
• Measured using a thermometer.
• Unit: Degree Celsius (°C)
Types of Thermometers
1. Maximum Thermometer – records highest temperature
2. Minimum Thermometer – records lowest temp
Measurement: Recorded using a Maximum-Minimum Thermometer.
• Formula for Mean Daily Temp:
B. Atmospheric Pressure
• Definition: The weight of the air column pressing down on Earth.
• Altitude Correlation: Pressure decreases as altitude increases (air becomes "thinner").
• Weather Indicator: Low Pressure usually indicates rising air, leading to clouds and rain.
High Pressure indicates sinking air, leading to clear, dry weather.
• Instrument: Barometer (Mercury or Aneroid)
Diagram
High Pressure ↓↓↓
Low Pressure ↑↑↑
C. Wind
• Definition: Air moving from high-pressure zones to low-pressure zones
Types of Winds
• Breeze – gentle wind
• Storm – very strong wind.
• Tools:
• Wind Vane/Windsock: Measures direction.
• Anemometer: Measures speed in km/h
D. Humidity
• Definition: The concentration of water vapor in the air.
• Relative Humidity: Expressed as a percentage (%). When air reaches 100% humidity, it is
"saturated," leading to cloud formation.
• Instrument: Hygrometer or Psychrometer.
Important Facts
• More humidity → air feels sticky
• Less humidity → air feels dry
E. Precipitation
• Process: Warm, moist air rises, cools, and condenses into droplets. When droplets become
too heavy, they fall.
• Instrument: Rain Gauge, which measures the depth of rainfall in millimeters (mm)
Forms of Precipitation
• Rain (Liquid)
• Snow (Ice Crystals)
• Hail
• Sleet
Water Cycle Diagram
5. Forecasting: Traditional vs. Modern
Forecasting is the science of predicting future atmospheric conditions to protect lives and
property.
• Traditional Signs: People once relied on nature—
1) Birds flying low → possible rain
2) Ants moving eggs upward → flood or rain
3) Frogs croaking loudly → rain
4) Red sky → storm approaching
5) Pine cones close → humid weather
Cloud Clues
• Dark clouds → rainfall
• White clouds → fair weather
• Tall rising clouds → thunderstorms
Scientific Meteorology:
Modern forecasting uses Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. Data is
collected from:
o Weather Satellites & Radars: Tracking cloud movement and storm intensity.
o Weather Balloons: Measuring upper-atmosphere conditions.
o IMD (India Meteorological Department): India’s national agency (est.
1875) that provides early warnings for cyclones, floods, and heatwaves.
6. Importance of Weather Stations
Weather stations are hubs where various instruments are kept together to provide a holistic
view of the weather.
• Automated Weather Stations (AWS): These use digital sensors to record and
transmit data (temperature, wind, pressure) automatically, which is vital for remote
areas like glaciers to monitor risks like Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
6. Specialized Weather Instruments
Meteorologists use specific tools to ensure data is objective and standardized rather than
based on personal feeling.
A. Measuring Temperature
• Maximum Thermometer: Uses mercury to record the highest temperature reached
during the day, usually around noon or afternoon.
• Minimum Thermometer: Uses alcohol (which flows better at very low
temperatures) to record the lowest temperature, usually late at night or early morning.
• Scales: While Fahrenheit (°F) is used in some countries, India and most others use the
Celsius (°C) scale.
o Conversion Formula
B. Measuring Rainfall
• Rain Gauge: A funnel collects rainwater and directs it into a measuring cylinder.
• Snow Gauge: Specifically designed to collect snow, which is then melted to
determine the "liquid equivalent" of the precipitation.
Diagram from the book
C. Measuring Air Pressure and Wind
Atmospheric pressure is the weight of the air surrounding the Earth. It plays a critical role in
determining weather patterns
• Units of Measurement: Pressure is measured in millibars (mb)
• Barometer: Measures pressure in millibars (mb). Average sea-level pressure is 1013 mb.
Pressure below 1000 mb often indicates a storm system forming.
• Anemometer: Features cups that rotate in the wind; the faster they spin, the higher the
recorded wind speed.
Weather Indicators:
• High Pressure: Usually indicates clear, calm, and dry weather.
• Low Pressure: Often brings cloudy skies, rainfall, storms, or cyclones. Pressure
falling below 1000 mb is a common sign of a developing storm system.
• Altitude Impact: Pressure is highest at sea level and decreases as you move to higher
altitudes. In high-altitude regions like Ladakh, pressure can be as low as 650 mb.
2. High-Altitude Impact and Adaptation
The "thinness" of air at high altitudes due to low pressure significantly affects the human
body.
• Symptoms of Low Pressure: People unaccustomed to high altitudes may feel dizzy,
tired, or breathless because the air contains less oxygen.
• Acclimatisation: The gradual process by which the body adjusts to environmental
changes (like low oxygen).
• Physical Adaptations: Permanent residents of high altitudes slowly develop
adaptations, such as producing more red blood cells and breathing faster, to survive in
low-oxygen conditions.
3. Measuring Wind
Wind is the movement of air from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. It is defined by
two characteristics: speed and direction.
• Wind Direction: Measured using a wind vane (or weather vane). A wind sock is
also used, particularly at airports, to show both direction and relative strength.
• Wind Speed: Measured using an anemometer, which usually consists of cups that
rotate as the wind blows. Speed is typically recorded in kilometers per hour (km/h).
Measuring Humidity
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. It is measured as relative
humidity in percentage (%).
• Impact on Comfort: On highly humid days (60%–80%), sweat does not evaporate
quickly, making people feel hot, sticky, and uncomfortable.
• Instruments:
o Hygrometer: The standard instrument for measuring humidity.
o Psychrometer: A specialized form of hygrometer that uses two thermometers
(one dry-bulb and one wet-bulb) to find the humidity level.
5. Weather Stations and Modern Technology
Weather stations are centers where various instruments are kept together to record
atmospheric conditions at regular intervals.
• Automated Weather Stations (AWS): Modern systems that operate automatically
using sensors and digital instruments. They store data in computer systems without
needing a person to operate them constantly.
• Agro-AWS: Specialized stations installed to assist farmers with accurate local
weather data.
• Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP): Modern forecasting systems (including
satellites and radars) generate hundreds of terabytes of data daily to create accurate
weather models.
• Importance of Data: This information is shared with organizations like the India
Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue early warnings for cyclones, droughts,
and floods, helping local governments mobilize resources.
6. Global Weather Extremes
• Coldest Recorded Temperature: -89.2° at Vostok Station, Antarctica (1983).
• Hottest Recorded Temperature: 56.7°at Furnace Creek Ranch, USA (1913).
• Strongest Wind Gust: 113.2 m/s (407.5 km/hr) on Barrow Island, Australia (1996).
• Wettest Place: Mawsynram, India, receiving nearly 12,000 mm of rainfall annually
Weather Instruments
Instrument Use
Thermometer Measures temperature
Barometer Measures air pressure
Rain Gauge Measures rainfall
Wind Vane Shows wind direction
Anemometer Measures wind speed
Hygrometer Measures humidity
Quick Revision
One Word Answers
• Study of weather → Meteorology
• Instrument for rainfall → Rain Gauge
• Instrument for temperature → Thermometer
• Water falling from clouds → Precipitation
• Weather agency of India → IMD