Meteorology

Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere that explains and predicts atmospheric phenomena. The study of meteorology date back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw modest progress in the field after weather observation networks were formed across broad regions. Prior attempts at prediction of weather depended on historical data. It wasn't until after the elucidation of the laws of physics, and more particularly the development of the computer allowing the automated solution of the great many equations that model the weather in the latter half of the 20th century, that significant breakthroughs in weather forecasting were achieved.

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