An introductory guide to understanding weather and its effect on our lives. It is human nature to try to understand, predict and control the weather that affects crops, wildlife...even one's mood. The world's favorite topic of conversation is also the subject of increasing scientific study. Weather explores how weather works and its effect at a local and global level, revealing the importance of climate in determining landscape, flora and fauna, and the overall quality of our lives. Using dramatic never-before-published aerial and satellite photography, this book provides up-to-the-minute information about a fascinating spectrum of natural phenomena: Extreme weather such as tornadoes and hurricanes - Natural events that affect the weather - Forecasting and predicting weather - How weather affects life on Earth - Climate change. Colorful diagrams provide at-a-glance understanding about complex issues with explanations for interpreting weather signs and charts. Weather simplifies the many aspects of climate with easy-to-understand text and lively illustrations. Adult/High School–A comprehensive academic resource with information and glorious color photographs on virtually every aspect of weather. Although written by three different meteorologists, the text flows seamlessly from one topic to another. Grouped in broad subject areas, spreads cover what makes weather, weather extremes, watching the weather, and current and changing global climate. The thoroughly labeled photos show seemingly every type of weather on every continent and the Earth from outer space. Clear, colorful graphics clarify concepts that cannot be shown in photographs, such as the energy cycle or types of lightning. Approximately three-fourths of this volume is devoted to these outstanding images. The print is small, providing more information than one might expect. The content goes beyond simple weather to include a discussion of climate and its effect on the flora and fauna of a region. An excellent resource. –Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. The meteorologist authors of Weather set the local and seasonal conditions that every person experiences within the context of the global forces that generate weather. Each force, such as giant atmospheric convection cells, is illustrated with a combination of a diagram, satellite photographs, ground-level photographs (often depicting the destruction wrought by violent storms), and info-laden captions. The immediate manifestations of these cells, all torqued by the earth's rotation, are the moving cold and warm fronts that produce winds, clouds, and precipitation. The book's imagery depicts these phenomena in detail and establishes for readers a factual and even aesthetic foundation for further exploration. Gilbert Taylor Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Every page is packed with spectacular instructive photographs of weather phenomena and its aftermath... a visual delight. (Ralph Scott American Reference Books Annual, Volume 36 ) Panoramic introductions... establishes for readers a factual and even aesthetic foundation for further research. (Gilbert Taylor Booklist 2004-10-15) Accurate and useable information... What really sets the book apart is its stunning visual impact. From cover to cover excellent photos and diagrams will grab the student's interest and make them want to find out more... Noteworthy as well for its global focus. (Claudia Fetters NSTA Recommends (National Science Teachers Assoc) 2005-03-02) Meteorology explained, from isobars to acid rain, with 500 illustrations. (Ron Bethel Associated Press 2004-12-01) A profusely and often beautifully illustrated guide to all things meteorological. (Charles Matthews San Jose Mercury News 2004-11-28) Hundreds of color photographs take readers above the clouds and inside snowflakes. Such images explain the forces that determine the weather from around the globe, from a Saharan sandstorm to an Antarctic blizzard. ( Science News 2005-01-22) Chosen as one of the "Best Books for Junior High and Young Adult 2005" by Science Books and Films. ( Science Books and Films ) A comprehensive academic resource with information and glorious color photographs on virtually every aspect of weather... An excellent resource. (Claudia Moore School Library Journal ) Using never-before-published aerial and satellite photography, this book provides current information about a fascinating spectrum of natural phenomena. ( Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society ) Outstandingly presented. By following the illustrations in the text, a reader can gain a thorough understanding of weather... well written. (Paul K. Grogger Science Books and Films ) Lavishly illustrated, this book lives up to its title... Extensive information in a clear and easily understood style... highly recommended for a