Title: PROTOTYPE COLUMN

Weather in the tropics

Q: What do you learn from the tweets about weather in the tropics?
A: From tweets about weather in the tropics, you can learn about the frequent and sudden changes in weather patterns, the impact of tropical storms and hurricanes, and how local communities respond to these events. Additionally, tweets often highlight the importance of preparation and awareness, the unique challenges faced by tropical regions, and the ongoing effects of climate change on tropical weather systems.

Meteorological factors

Take a closer look at an aspect that plays an important role in the climate of a region, then answer the related questions.

Humidity

Source: Daniel FR at de.wikipedia.org, Public domain

What is Humidity?

Humidity is the concentration of water vapor present in the air. Water vapor, the gaseous state of water, is generally invisible to the human eye. Humidity indicates the likelihood for precipitation, dew, or fog to be present.

How is Humidity Created?

Humidity depends on temperature and pressure. Warm air can hold more moisture than cool air. When the air cools, its capacity to hold moisture decreases, which can lead to condensation and the formation of dew or fog.

Regional Differences

Humidity varies around the world. Coastal and equatorial regions, like Singapore and Miami, often have high humidity due to their proximity to large water bodies and warm temperatures. In contrast, desert areas, like the Sahara, have low humidity because of the dry air and high temperatures.

How is Humidity Measured?

Humidity is measured using devices called hygrometers or psychrometers. These instruments can measure the moisture content in the air. There are different types of hygrometers, including hair tension hygrometers and sling psychrometers. Satellites also measure humidity on a global scale by detecting water vapor in the atmosphere.

Understanding humidity is vital for weather forecasting, climate studies, and ensuring comfort in daily life.

Comparing weather patterns

On the following pages, weather patterns in a tropical country (Panama) are compared with those in a Central European country (France).

Q: Name the season during which Panama experiences the highest rainfall.
A: Panama experiences the highest rainfall during the rainy season, which lasts from May to November.

Q: Describe the temperature variations in Panama City throughout the day.
A: In Panama City, temperatures typically range from a morning minimum of 24°C (75.2°F) to an afternoon maximum of 29°C (84.2°F), seldom exceeding 32°C (89.6°F).

Q: Explain how regional variations affect the climate and humidity levels in France.
A: France's climate and humidity levels vary significantly by region. Coastal regions experience higher humidity due to maritime influences, while inland and mountainous regions can have lower humidity levels. The climate ranges from oceanic in the west, Mediterranean in the southeast, to continental in the northeast, contributing to diverse weather patterns across the country.

Weather data in comparison

Now look at current weather data for Panama and France on these two websites:

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/panama/panama

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/france/paris

Q: Do the current weather data match the information from the country profiles? Where are there discrepancies?