Understanding Weather Elements: A Comprehensive Look

Elements of Weather

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the amount of solar radiation received by the Earth's surface. In Spain, it exceeds 2000 hours of sunshine per year.

Cloudiness

Cloudiness is the state of the atmosphere where the sky is covered by clouds. The area with the most cloudiness is the Cantabrian coast, and the area with the least is the Guadalquivir valley.

Air Temperature

Temperature is the degree of heat in the air. On maps, it is represented by isotherms. The mildest temperatures are near the sea and decrease inland.

Annual Temperature Range

The annual temperature range is the difference between the average temperature of the warmest month and the coldest month.

Frosts

Frosts occur when the air temperature is below 0°C.

Irradiation

Irradiation is caused by the cooling of the soil, which is transmitted to the air that is in contact with it.

Advection

Advection is the arrival of a cold air mass.

Humidity

Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, which comes from evaporation.

Haze

Haze is a phenomenon that reduces visibility. It is caused by a large number of fine dust particles in the lower atmosphere.

Fog

Fog is a suspension of tiny water droplets in the lower layer of the atmosphere that limits visibility to less than one kilometer.

Air Pressure

Air pressure depends on the characteristics of the air masses situated over Spain throughout the year. In winter and summer, high pressures dominate, while in spring and autumn, low pressures dominate.

Winds

Winds are horizontal movements of air in relation to the Earth's surface.

Precipitation

Precipitation is the falling of water from clouds, in solid or liquid form. It is represented by isohyets. Precipitation originates from the elevation, cooling, and condensation of water vapor in the air. It can be due to:

• Orographic: Rough terrain.
• Convective: Warming of the ground.
• Frontal: When two air masses, one warm and one cold, come into contact.

Evaporation

Evaporation is the process by which water turns to steam at room temperature. The speed of evaporation increases with higher temperatures.

Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration is the loss of moisture from the Earth's surface due to heat stroke and plant transpiration. It has two measures:

• Actual evapotranspiration
• Potential evapotranspiration

Aridity

Aridity is the relationship between heat and humidity in a given space. It increases with high temperatures and water shortages. There are two ways to calculate it:

• Gaussen index
• Lautensach-Meyer index