Westerlies

1 CLIMATOLOGY The Atmosphere The atmosphere is made up of gases and vapour, and receives incoming solar energy from the sun giving rise to what we call climate. We actually live at the bottom of this indefinite layer of atmosphere where the air is densest. Hither up, the air thins out and it is still a matter of conjecture where the atmosphere ends. One estimate puts this limit at about 600 miles above sea level. The lowest layer, in which the weather is confined, is known as the troposphere. It extends from the earth?s surface for a height of 6 miles, and within it temperature normally falls with increasing altitude. The climatic elements such as temperature, precipitation, clouds, pressure and humidity within the troposphere