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Sunlight and the Earth: Climate and Weather

Sunlight and the Earth: Climate and Weather

These web pages, authored and curated by David P. Stern, traces the processes involved in the sun's impact on weather. This is an exploration of the importance of radiation and reflection of light, both visible and infra-red, and the greenhouse effect. Convection and the role of water vapor are also considered. Global-scale air flows are described, explaining why wind in the continental US usually blows from the west, while near the equator it comes from the east. The page provides additional links for students or instructors interested in further study on the topic.

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