As more and more evidence of the effects of climate change on our world are displayed daily worldwide, we look to the science of meteorology to help predict and explain these changes and the potential dangers for our planet in the future. Meteorology is the study of atmospheric phenomena, weather and its causes, and provides the basis for weather forecasting.Most of us are exposed to the science of meteorology from our daily weather forecast, and from watching our favorite television meteorologists. Forecasting the weather is a complicated process that involves studying maps and weather trends, as well as interpreting atmospheric changes indicated by a variety of technical and radar tools that continue to advance and improve.
Tornado striking a town in the Mid-West of the USA, 1930s. Credit: Universal History Archive 
Eerie green glow produced by mercury vapor light reflected from clouds over the city behind the hill in foreground. Credit: Wild Horizons 
USA, Arizona, Monument Valley, scenic with oblique cloud-to-ground lightning discharge with dried plants in foreground (Dicoria canescens) Credit: Wild Horizons 
Hurricane Katrina on 28 August 2005 near peak strength over the Gulf of Mexico. True-colour satellite image using MODIS data. Credit: Planet Observer 
Thunderstorm Credit: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 
Tornado over the plains of Kansas, USA. May 23-May 24 2008 Credit: Universal History Archive 
Lightning to the ground Credit: QA Publishing 
Formation of a cyclone Credit: QA Publishing 
An isobar is a curved line linking points of equal pressure. Credit: QA Publishing 
Speed of wind Credit: QA Publishing 
First snow in Amsterdam in the winter of 2012. Credit: Ton Koene / VWPics 
Satellite image of Hurricanes Jose, Irma and Katia in 2017 over the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean at night. Image taken on September 8, 2017. Credit: Planet Observer 
Storm over Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Credit: Martin Zwick/REDA&CO 
Photograph of a Colorado dust bowl. Dated 1935. Credit: Photo12 
A panorama from 3 segments of a double rainbow over a ripening canola field from home in southern Alberta Credit: Alan Dyer/VWPics 
Formation of a tornado Credit: QA International
Beyond weather forecasting, meteorologists do so much more. The study of atmospheric properties and phenomena as well as the chemistry and physics associated with the atmosphere, helps meteorologists study climate change and its long-term effects on both our planet and its inhabitants. This science will continue to play a critical role in helping governments and academia set establish policies and educate the masses about the dangers of climate change and what each of us can do to mitigate it. UIG’s meteorology collection features stunning images of storms in progress, as well as diagrams and illustrations that help explain the science behind these natural events.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Meteorology”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Jan. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/science/meteorology. Accessed 26 July 2021.
National Geographic Society https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/meteorology/