Weather

Although the weather may not be the national topic of conversation in all countries, it certainly dictates the sorts of lives we lead: the way we build our homes, how we dress and even what we do in our spare time. It is this dependence that has encouraged humans from the earliest times to try to understand, predict and control the weather. This guide charts the past, present and future of meteorology at a global and local level, providing both an understanding of the processes involved, as well as an introduction to forecasting. The text is supplemented by maps, graphs, charts and diagrams providing at-a-glance information. More than 500 colour photographs illustrate the power and beauty of the weather and its effects on the environment. The chapters examine all aspects of the subject, ranging from an explanation of weather patterns and phenomena and the development of meteorology, to a history of weather forecasting and details of how the weather is predicted today.