Temperature

Temperature is a measure of the energy content of the atmosphere and is the prime driving force in the changes we see in the weather. The local source heat for the earth comes from the sun in the form of solar radiation called insolation. This is a short wavelength form of radiation, which causes very little direct heating of the atmosphere. The heating that most directly affects our weather arises as the results of terrestrial radiation, that is the long wave re-radiation of heat by the earth. How much energy is reradiated and the temperature of the air above the earth’s surface determines the way in which this reradiation of heat affects our atmosphere. If the a lot of energy is available at the surface, and the air above this is relatively cool then the conditions are present for a lot of vertical motion in the atmosphere.  On the other hand if the surface is cool or the air above it is relatively warm there will be increased  resistance to vertical motions.