What is Meteorology?

Meteorology is a branch of atmospheric science that includes atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric physics, with a primary focus on weather forecasting. The study of meteorology dates back thousands of years, although major advances in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. In the 19th century, the field made certain progress after the weather observation network was formed over a wide area. Previous attempts to predict weather relied on historical data. It was not until the second half of the 20th century that the laws of physics were clarified, especially the development of computers, which allowed many equations to simulate weather to be automatically solved, and significant breakthroughs were made in weather forecasting. An important area of ??weather forecasting is marine weather forecasting as it relates to ocean and coastal safety, where weather effects also include the interaction of the atmosphere with large bodies of water.

Meteorological phenomena are observable weather events explained by meteorology. Meteorological phenomena are described and quantified by the variables of the Earth's atmosphere: temperature, pressure, water vapor, mass flow, and the changes and interactions of these variables, and how they change over time. Different spatial scales are used to describe and predict local, regional and global weather.

Meteorology, climatology, atmospheric physics and atmospheric chemistry are branches of atmospheric science. Meteorology and hydrology constitute the interdisciplinary field of hydrometeorology. The interaction between Earth's atmosphere and oceans is part of the air-sea coupled system. Meteorology has applications in many different fields, such as the military, energy production, transportation, agriculture, and construction.

The word meteorology comes from the ancient Greek μετ?ωρο? metéros (meteor meteors) and -λογ?α logia (-(o)logy) discipline), meaning "the study of high-altitude things."