Badger Breathers Nov 2000 1 Weather and Breathing Edward J. Hopkins Dept. of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison Badger Breathers

Badger Breathers Nov 2000Badger Breathers Nov 2000 11

Weather and BreathingWeather and Breathing

Edward J. HopkinsEdward J. HopkinsDept. of Atmospheric & Oceanic SciencesDept. of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences

Univ. of Wisconsin-MadisonUniv. of Wisconsin-Madison

Badger Breathers – 14 Nov 2000Badger Breathers – 14 Nov 2000


Surface Weather Map from Today Surface Weather Map from Today


Earth-RiseEarth-Rise (Apollo Mission)(Apollo Mission)



Background Background The AtmosphereThe Atmosphere

What It IsWhat It Is–An envelope surrounding the An envelope surrounding the

earth.earth.– Approximately 60 miles deep.Approximately 60 miles deep.–Contains gases, clouds (droplets & Contains gases, clouds (droplets &

ice crystals) and other particles ice crystals) and other particles (aerosols).(aerosols).


COMPOSITION OF DRY AIR near Earth's Surface

Argon0.93%

Carbon Dioxide 0.03%

Oxygen 21%

Nitrogen 78%


Air PressureAir Pressure

What it isWhat it is


Air PressureAir Pressure

How we measureHow we measure– With a barometerWith a barometer– To getTo get

Inches of mercuryInches of mercury


Air PressureAir Pressure Why a problemWhy a problem–Partial pressure exerted by Oxygen Partial pressure exerted by Oxygen

affects availability of oxygen for affects availability of oxygen for our lungs -- and how we breathe.our lungs -- and how we breathe.–Reduced pressure and availability Reduced pressure and availability

of oxygen occurs in mountains or of oxygen occurs in mountains or on airplanes.on airplanes.


Percentage of Available OxygenPercentage of Available Oxygen as compared with Sea Levelas compared with Sea Level

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Sea Level Madison Denver PikesPeak

Mt.Everest


TemperatureTemperature

What we measureWhat we measure How we measureHow we measure


Maximum-Minimum ThermometersMaximum-Minimum Thermometers


Current Temperatures (Current Temperatures (ooF) & IsothermsF) & Isotherms



Why A problem?Why A problem?– Temperature ChangesTemperature Changes–Wind-ChillWind-Chill


Wind-Chill Equivalent TemperatureWind-Chill Equivalent Temperature


Current Wind-Chill Equivalent Current Wind-Chill Equivalent Temperatures (Temperatures (ooF)F)



Why a problemWhy a problem–May also have a problem when May also have a problem when

related to humidity...related to humidity...


HumidityHumidity What it isWhat it is–An amount of water vapor in the An amount of water vapor in the

air.air. How we describe and measureHow we describe and measure–Many waysMany ways–Relative humidity, dewpoint, wet-Relative humidity, dewpoint, wet-

bulb temperature, apparent bulb temperature, apparent temperature.temperature.


Sling PsychrometerSling Psychrometer


HumidityHumidity Problem with humidityProblem with humidity–Could be problem with evaporation Could be problem with evaporation

– too humid means little – too humid means little evaporation and lungs remain wet.evaporation and lungs remain wet.

Note contradiction in popular notionNote contradiction in popular notion


Apparent Temperature - Heat IndexApparent Temperature - Heat Index


Other Problem Atmospheric Other Problem Atmospheric ConstituentsConstituents

Air PollutantsAir Pollutants–Especially OzoneEspecially Ozone

PollensPollens–Grass, Weed and TreesGrass, Weed and Trees

MoldsMolds


Tomorrow’s 6 AM ForecastTomorrow’s 6 AM Forecast

Documents

Badger Breathers Nov 2000 1 Weather and Breathing Edward J. Hopkins Dept. of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison Badger Breathers